Murmuring Can Progress to Rebellion

 

We Follow Jesus Christ by Joining Him in His Work

By Elder Dale G. Renlund

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Doing our part is simpler than we might imagine because we need not bring extraordinary talents or abilities to the Lord’s work. His requirement is simply commitment and willingness. The Lord said to the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio, “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34). The Lord can make the willing able, but He cannot or will not make the able willing. In other words, if we are committed and willing, He can use us. But no matter how talented we are, He will not use us unless we are committed to His work and willing to help Him....

When we are willing to serve, we strive not to complain or murmur, because we do not want to tarnish our service in any way. Complaining may be a sign of wavering commitment, or that our love for the Savior is not as it ought to be. Left unchecked, murmuring can progress to outright rebellion against the Lord. This progression is seen in the life of Ezra Booth, an early convert to the Church in Ohio who was called as a missionary to Missouri.

As he left Ohio in June 1831, Ezra was upset that some missionaries were able to travel by wagon while he had to walk in the summer heat, preaching along the way. He murmured. When he arrived in Missouri, he felt deflated. Missouri was not what he had expected. Instead, he looked around and noted that “the prospect appeared somewhat gloomy.”

Ezra became increasingly cynical, sarcastic, and critical. Upon leaving Missouri, instead of preaching as he went, as he had been asked to do, he returned to Ohio as quickly as he could. His initial murmuring evolved into wavering and finally into losing confidence in his earlier spiritual experiences. Soon Ezra left the Church and “ultimately ‘abandoned Christianity and became an agnostic.’”

The same can happen to us if we are not careful. If we do not maintain an eternal perspective, reminding ourselves whose work this really is, we might complain, waver, and eventually lose the faith we have.