The Toy Truck

From an interview with Bishop Dean M. Davies, Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric; by Linda Davies

Whatever we do, extra effort makes a difference and makes us happy too.

“The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works” (Deuteronomy 15:10).

When I was about seven years old, I saw a toy truck at the store that I really wanted, and it only cost 98 cents! I ran home to my mother and asked her for the money to buy it. In her wisdom, she said no, she wouldn’t give me the money. But if I wanted it, I could earn it.

She suggested that I ask our neighbor, Sister Anderson, if I could mow her lawn. Sister Anderson offered to pay me $1.50. Her lawn had some very tall grass, and she had an old-fashioned push mower without a motor. It was very hard work, but after two hours, I finished mowing and had $1.50 in my pocket. I had painful blisters on my hands, and I was very tired. But on the inside, I was happy.

I worked hard and paid my tithing. Finally I was able to buy the toy truck all by myself. At that moment I realized the blessings of work. If I was willing to work, I could do many things in my life. I learned to enjoy work. I wanted to mow even more lawns and make each one even more beautiful than when I started on it.

I learned that whatever we do, extra effort makes a difference and makes us happy too.