[Title] Have I Done Any Good?

; Giving Meaningful Service; Desiring to Do Good Commented [SG1]: I think this one fits best.

[Kicker] How do we give our best effort when we are all imperfect at best? Commented [SG2]: I felt like this question made the
two ideas feel unrelated. Maybe How can our efforts
be good enough when we are all imperfect at best?
[Highlights of the source article]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and, if you
desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.

This scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-

testament/dc/11.8?lang=eng#p7] stood out to me recently, specifically the phrase if you Commented [SG3]: Good opening
desire. I often desire to do good and to improve myself, yet it seems I often fall short of my Commented [SG4]: Since the expectations are your
expectations. I feel edified and motivated one day yet find myself struggling the next. Its an up- own, I dont think you need to qualify this.
and-down cycle that can easily become discouraging. Commented [SG5]: I like the parallelism here. I
wonder if you could tie the two parts together even
more by including something like yet just as often I fall
Counsel on this cycle is given in a conference talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland short of my expectations. I think both ways are good,
[https://www.lds.org/church/leader/jeffrey-r-holland?lang=eng], titled, Tomorrow the Lord Will and this is just an idea to consider.
Do Wonders among You. [https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the- Commented [SG6]: This might be better in active
lord-will-do-wonders-among-you?lang=eng] Elder Holland encourages us to foster this desire to voice. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gives counsel on this
cycle in his talk . . .
do goodthe great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we dont always
succeed. There is merit to desiring and trying; though we may not appear to succeed, our
hearts are still changing in the process. When we turn to Christ and, with his help, strive to Commented [SG7]: Would the process is still
become better, we are improving. When we imperfectly try to help and lift others imperfectly, the changing our hearts be a better phrasing? It might
move the emphasis a bit, but it might flow better.
Lord can magnify our efforts such that we will be the means of doing much good in the lives of
those around us. If we look beyond our shortcomings and focus instead on Christ, then Commented [SG8]: Im not entirely sure why, but the
adverb at the beginning felt odd. Also, is imperfectly
tomorrowand every other dayis ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we dont always modifying try or help and lift? There is probably a better
recognize it as such. way to clarify that.
Commented [SG9]: I dont think your topic is too broad
[Word count:] 249 for a short article. You keep the topic centered enough
that it doesnt seem to ramble. It is a big topic, but I
think you did fine.
[Link to the source article] Commented [SG10]: I like the way you use these
Read or watch Elder Hollands full talk, Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You, quotes.
[https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-the-lord-will-do-wonders-among-
you?lang=eng] at lds.org. [https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng]

Source: lds.org [https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng]

Find more insights

For more stories about overcoming personal weakness, read Allie Bowens Mormon Insights
article Strong in Spite of My Weakness. [http://mormoninsights.byu.edu/strong-in-spite-of-
my-weakness/]

To learn hear an apostles words on feeling confidence despite shortcomings, read or watch Commented [SG11]: Learning words felt like an odd
Elder Neal A. Maxwells conference talk Notwithstanding My Weakness. phrase.
[https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/10/notwithstanding-my-weakness?lang=eng]
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