“Chapter 14: Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Thomas S. Monson (2020)

“Chapter 14,” Teachings: Thomas S. Monson

Chapter 14

Whom the Lord Calls, the Lord Qualifies

“If we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help.”

From the Life of Thomas S. Monson

President Thomas S. Monson often spoke of the principle “whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” He emphasized that when we are called to do the Lord’s work, and when we contribute our best efforts, the Lord will magnify our abilities to help accomplish it. Explaining one of the ways he sought the Lord’s help in magnifying his own abilities, President Monson said:

“Through the years, the offices I have occupied have been decorated with lovely paintings of peaceful and pastoral scenes. However, there is one picture that always hangs on the wall which I face when seated behind my desk. It is a constant reminder of Him whom I serve, for it is a picture of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When confronted with a vexing problem or difficult decision, I always gaze at that picture of the Master and silently ask myself the question, ‘What would He have me do?’ No longer does doubt linger, nor does indecision prevail. The way to go is clear, and the pathway before me beckons.”¹

Throughout his life, President Monson exemplified the willing servant who sought the Lord’s help to become qualified to do the Lord’s work.

Jesus Christ — “When confronted with a vexing problem or difficult decision, I always gaze at that picture of the Master and silently ask myself the question, ‘What would He have me do?’”

Teachings of Thomas S. Monson

With the Lord’s help, we can accomplish miracles in His service.

We live in a complex world, with currents of conflict everywhere to be found. Political machinations ruin the stability of nations, despots grasp for power, and segments of our society seem forever downtrodden, deprived of opportunity, and left with a feeling of failure.

We … can make a difference. When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys [and girls]. We can mend men [and women]. We can accomplish miracles in His holy service. Our opportunities are without limit.

Though the task seems large, we are strengthened by this truth: “The greatest force in this world today is the power of God as it works through man.” If we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. That divine help, however, is predicated upon our worthiness. To sail safely the seas of mortality, to perform a human rescue mission, we need the guidance of that eternal mariner—even the great Jehovah. We reach out, we reach up, to obtain heavenly help.²

Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle.³

Miracles are everywhere to be found when … callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes.⁴

Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. … When we strive with faith nothing wavering to fulfill the duties appointed to us, when we seek the inspiration of the Almighty in the performance of our responsibilities, we can achieve the miraculous.⁵

Showing kindness helps us become qualified to do the Lord’s work.

When I was a deacon, I loved baseball. In fact, I still do. … My friends and I would play ball in a small alleyway behind the houses where we lived. Our playing field was cramped, but all right, provided you hit straightaway to center field. However, if you hit the ball to the right of center, disaster was at the door. Here lived Mrs. Shinas, who, from her kitchen window, would watch us play; and as soon as the ball rolled to her porch, her large dog would retrieve the ball and present it to her as she opened the door. Into her house Mrs. Shinas would return and add the ball to the many she had previously confiscated. She was our nemesis, the destroyer of our fun—even the bane of our existence. None of us had a good word for Mrs. Shinas, but we had plenty of bad words for her. None of us would speak to her, and she never spoke to us. She was hampered by a stiff leg which impaired her walking and must have caused her great pain. She and her husband had no children, lived secluded lives, and rarely came out of their house.

This private war continued for some time—perhaps two years—and then an inspired thaw melted the ice of winter and brought a springtime of good feelings to the stalemate.

One evening as I performed my daily task of watering our front lawn, holding the nozzle of the hose in the hand as was the style at that time, I noticed that Mrs. Shinas’s lawn was dry and beginning to turn brown. I honestly don’t know … what came over me, but I took a few more minutes and, with our hose, watered her lawn. I continued to do this throughout the summer, and then when autumn came I hosed her lawn free of leaves as I did ours and stacked the leaves in piles at the street’s edge to be gathered. During the entire summer I had not seen Mrs. Shinas. We boys had long since given up playing ball in the alleyway. We had run out of baseballs and had no money to buy more.

Early one evening, Mrs. Shinas’s front door opened, and she beckoned for me to jump the small fence and come to her front porch. This I did. As I approached her, she invited me into her living room, where I was asked to sit in a comfortable chair. She treated me to cookies and milk. Then she went to the kitchen and returned with a large box filled with baseballs and softballs, representing several seasons of her confiscation efforts. The filled box was presented to me. The treasure, however, was not to be found in the gift but rather in her words. I saw for the first time a smile come across the face of Mrs. Shinas, and she said, “Tommy, I want you to have these baseballs, and I want to thank you for being kind to me.” I expressed my own gratitude to her and walked from her home a better boy than when I entered. No longer were we enemies. Now we were friends.⁶

Although we may feel inadequate, the Lord will qualify us for the work He would have us do.

I was called as a young man to serve as the bishop of a large ward in Salt Lake City. The magnitude of the calling was overwhelming and the responsibility frightening. My inadequacy humbled me. But my Heavenly Father did not leave me to wander in darkness and in silence, uninstructed or uninspired. In his own way, he revealed the lessons he would have me learn.

One evening, at a late hour, my telephone rang. I heard a voice say, “Bishop Monson, this is the hospital calling. Kathleen McKee, a member of your congregation, has just passed away. Our records reveal that she had no next of kin, but your name is listed as the one to be notified in the event of her death. Could you come to the hospital right away?”

Upon arriving there, I was presented with a sealed envelope which contained a key to the modest apartment in which Kathleen McKee had lived. A childless widow seventy-three years of age, she had enjoyed few of life’s luxuries and possessed scarcely sufficient of its necessities. In the twilight of her life, she had become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Being a quiet and reserved person, she revealed little about her life.

That same night I entered her tidy basement apartment, turned the light switch, and in a moment discovered a letter written ever so meticulously in Kathleen McKee’s own hand. It rested face up on a small table and read:

“Bishop Monson,

“I think I shall not return from the hospital. In the dresser drawer is a small insurance policy which will cover funeral expenses. The furniture may be given to my neighbors.

“In the kitchen are my three precious canaries. Two of them are beautiful, yellow-gold in color and perfectly marked. On their cages I have noted the names of friends to whom they are to be given. In the third cage is ‘Billie.’ He is my favorite. Billie looks a bit scrubby, and his yellow hue is marred by gray on his wings. Will you and your family make a home for him? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.”

In the days that followed, I learned much more about Kathleen McKee. She had befriended many neighbors in need. She had given cheer and comfort almost daily to a cripple who lived down the street. Indeed, she had brightened each life she touched. Kathleen McKee was much like “Billie,” her prized yellow canary with gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty, gifted with poise, nor honored by posterity. Yet her song helped others to more willingly bear their burdens and more ably shoulder their tasks. …

yellow canary with gray — “The Redeemer chose imperfect men to teach the way to perfection. He did so [when He was on the earth]. He does so now—even yellow canaries with gray on their wings.”

The world is filled with yellow canaries with gray on their wings. The pity is that so precious few of them have learned to sing. Perhaps the clear notes of proper example have not sounded in their ears or found lodgment in their hearts.

Some are young people who don’t know who they are, what they can be, or even what they want to be. They are afraid, but they don’t know of what. They are angry, but they don’t know at whom. They are rejected, and they don’t know why. All they want is to be somebody.

Others are stooped with age, burdened with care, or filled with doubt—living lives far below the level of their capacities. …

To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility. You ask, “How might we achieve these goals?” I answer, “By getting a true perspective of who we really are!” We are sons and daughters of a living God in whose image we have been created. Think of that truth: “Created in the image of God.” We cannot sincerely hold this conviction without experiencing a profound new sense of strength and power, even the strength to live the commandments of God and the power to resist the temptations of Satan. …

The Redeemer chose imperfect men to teach the way to perfection. He did so [when He was on the earth]. He does so now—even yellow canaries with gray on their wings.

He calls you and me to serve him here below and sets us to the tasks he would have us fulfill. Our commitment is to be total.⁷

When we are on the Lord’s errand, He will qualify us to help fulfill His purposes.

Our Lord and Savior said, “Come, follow me” [Luke 18:22]. When we accept His invitation and walk in His footsteps, He will direct our paths.

In April of 2000, I felt such direction. I had received a phone call from Rosa Salas Gifford, whom I did not know. She explained that her parents had been visiting from Costa Rica for a few months and that just a week prior to her call, her father, Bernardo Agusto Salas, had been diagnosed with liver cancer. She indicated that the doctors had informed the family that her father would live just a few more days. Her father’s great desire, she explained, was to meet me before he died. She left her address and asked if I could come to her home in Salt Lake City to visit with her father.

Because of meetings and obligations, it was rather late when I left my office. Instead of going straight home, however, I felt impressed that I should drive further south and visit Brother Salas that very evening. With the address in hand, I attempted to locate the residence. In rather heavy traffic and with dimming light, I drove past the location where the road to the house should have been. I could see nothing. However, I don’t give up easily. I drove around the block and came back. Still nothing. One more time I tried and still no sign of the road. I began to feel that I would be justified in turning toward home. I had made a gallant effort but had been unsuccessful in finding the address. Instead, I offered a silent prayer for help. The inspiration came that I should approach the area from the opposite direction. I drove a distance and turned the car around so that I was now on the other side of the road. Going in this direction, the traffic was much lighter. As I neared the location once again, I could see, through the faint light, a street sign that had been knocked down—it was lying on its side at the edge of the road—and a nearly invisible, weed-covered track leading to a small apartment building and a single, tiny residence some distance from the main road. As I drove toward the buildings, a small girl in a white dress waved to me, and I knew that I had found the family.

I was ushered into the home and then to the room where Brother Salas lay. Surrounding the bed were three daughters and a son-in-law, as well as Sister Salas. …

With some prompting, Brother Salas opened his eyes, and a wan smile graced his lips as I took him by the hand. I spoke the words, “I have come to meet you.” Tears welled up in his eyes and in mine.

I asked if a blessing would be desired, and the unanimous answer from the family members was affirmative. Since the son-in-law did not hold the priesthood, I proceeded by myself to provide a priesthood blessing. The words seemed to flow freely under the direction of the Spirit of the Lord. I included the Savior’s words found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 84, verse 88: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” Following the blessing, I offered a few words of comfort to the grieving family members. I spoke carefully so they could understand my English. And then, with my limited Spanish language ability, I let them know that I loved them and that our Heavenly Father would bless them. …

After a tender farewell, I was escorted to my car. As I drove homeward, I reflected on the special spirit we had felt. I experienced, as well, as I have many times before, a sense of gratitude that my Heavenly Father had answered another person’s prayer through me. … May we ever be on the Lord’s errand, that we might ever be entitled to the Lord’s help.⁸

There is no feeling to surpass that feeling which engulfs us when we recognize that we have been on the Lord’s errand and He has allowed us to help fulfill His purposes.⁹

As we pray, prepare, and serve, the Lord will help us magnify our callings.

The world is in need of our help. Are we doing all we should? Do we remember the words of President John Taylor: “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty”? There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you. Yours is the privilege to be not spectators but participants. … Let us hearken to the stirring reminder found in the Epistle of James: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” [James 1:22].¹⁰

Primary class — “There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”

What does it mean to magnify a calling? It means to build it up in dignity and importance, to make it honorable and commendable … , to enlarge and strengthen it, to let the light of heaven shine through it. … And how does one magnify a calling? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it.¹¹

[Our Father] did not call you … to build alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary, He knows your skills, He realizes your devotion, and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. … Don’t fall victim to the temptation that ensnared Laman and Lemuel. When they received the awesome assignment to obtain the plates of Laban, the record indicates that they murmured, saying that it was a hard thing which they had been commanded to do. And they lost their opportunity and their reward. Rather, let your attitude be that of their brother, Nephi: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” (1 Nephi 3:5–7).¹²

Should there be anyone who feels he is too weak to change the onward and downward course of his life, or should there be those who fail to resolve to do better because of that greatest of fears, the fear of failure, there is no more comforting assurance to be had than the words of the Lord: “My grace,” said He, “is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” [Ether 12:27].

Through humble prayer, diligent preparation, and faithful service, we can succeed in our sacred callings.¹³

President Harold B. Lee was talking to me one day concerning those who feel inadequate and are worried when they receive an assignment in the Church. He counseled, “Remember, whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.” …

… All of us united as one can qualify for the guiding influence of our Heavenly Father as we pursue our respective callings. We are engaged in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We, like those of olden times, have answered His call. We are on His errand. … May we ever remember the truth, “Who honors God, God honors” [see 1 Samuel 2:30].¹⁴

Suggestions for Study and Teaching

Questions

President Monson emphasized that “whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies” (section 1). What does this mean to you? What experiences have shown that the Lord will help you when you need it in His service?
Review the story about Mrs. Shinas in section 2. When has an unexpected service opportunity blessed your life? How has serving others affected your feelings toward them? How have you seen service soften a person’s heart?
Review the story about Kathleen McKee in section 3. What can this story teach us about serving others? How have you been blessed by serving others even when your own burdens were heavy?
President Monson expressed gratitude that Heavenly Father answered another person’s prayer through him (see section 4). How can we prepare ourselves so that Heavenly Father can answer another person’s prayer through us?
What does it mean to magnify a calling? (See section 5.) When have you been blessed by someone who magnified a calling? When have you felt Heavenly Father magnify your efforts in a calling?

Related Scriptures

John 5:30; Acts 10:19–35; Mosiah 2:17; Doctrine and Covenants 4:2–7; 24:7–12; 64:29, 33–34; 88:78–80

Study Help

“As you study, pay careful attention to ideas that come to your mind and feelings that come to your heart” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 18). Consider recording the impressions you receive, even if they seem unrelated to the words you are reading. They may be the very things the Lord wants you to learn.