STIMULATOR message for the week of March 7, 1972
Message from President Eugene C. Ludwig, dated March 7, 1972
“HE WHO STOPS BEING BETTER, STOPS BEING GOOD.”
Dear Missionaries,
We have done a lot of talking about TODAY — about forgetting about yesterday and tomorrow an doing the job today. Of course, it is important to do our best today, but even of greater importance is the ability to follow through, to continue on, to follow a good day with another good day, followed by a better day, continually accomplishing more and more.
The pattern of success is by continual accomplishment of daily pursuits, working daily towards predetermined goals, keeping in mind that we can always succeed. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Eliot
The person who is easily dissuaded from his daily opportunities not only fails his objective, but he loses much more. He loses the success and power and authority that self mastery give to each one who practices it. The secret of all attainment lies in being able to do what is right, what is expected, what is honorable, not just once, although it might be done with every ounce of our strength and courage, but rather in being able to continue doing it every day, whether we like it or not. Feeling like it, when you don’t feel like it, comes from developing will power to generate self effort. “Self effort is a prerequisite to energy. Putting off an assignment or obligation, while doing trivial things which are of no real importance, is a negative habit where in a person loses ability, capacity, and power.” President Rulon G. Craven.
Every day accomplishments build our reputations. They are not built in a day. As Henry Ford said, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” Also remember, that although a reputation must be built gradually form everyday performance, it can be torn down by a foolish or thoughtless act in a matter of moments or minutes or hours. “Men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” Doctrine and Covenants 58:27.
We are engaged in a good cause! Most of us, I am sure, are doing the things we are doing of our own free will. If each one of us can effectively be the master of our time, of ourselves, and of our actions every day , then we can be effective and productive servants and our capacity for work will increase. Our work will be interesting and exciting and fascinating as well as alive with the opportunities afforded us. We will be happy and successful missionaries.
May we all have true happiness that shines from within, showing to all those we come in contact with that we are everyday the light and example of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faithfully yours,
President Eugene C. Ludwig
“The future is that time when you will wish you had done what your are not doing now!”
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