We often hear about “hastening the work” in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s about building the Kingdom of God on earth, ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and spreading His gospel to every corner of the world. We know the foundational ways to do this: faithfully ministering to others, dedicating time to temple and family history work, and striving daily to become more like our Savior. These are vital, non-negotiable parts of discipleship.

But what if I told you that hastening the work isn’t just about fulfilling assignments or checking off a list? What if it’s deeply, beautifully, and uniquely personal?

hasten the work

The truth is, God doesn’t need us to be someone we’re not. He needs us to be us. He’s blessed each of us with an incredible array of gifts: our strengths, talents, experiences, and connections. These aren’t random; they’re specifically designed to help accomplish His purposes. As President Russell M. Nelson taught, “The Lord is hastening His work, and He needs our help.” He wants to work with you, using the very things that make you, you.

This isn’t about adding another burden to your already busy life. It’s about finding joy and fulfillment in serving in ways that feel natural, energizing, and genuinely inspired. It’s about looking inward, connecting with God through prayer, and letting the Spirit guide you to your own “special mission.” As Elder David A. Bednar reminded us, “A testimony is to be shared, not stored.” Your unique gifts are meant to be part of that sharing.

Your Personalized Call to Hasten the Work

Think of it like this: Before any great adventure, you take stock of your resources. What do you have? What are you good at? Who do you know? The same principle applies to your personal mission to hasten the work. This is something I have a strong, personal testimony of. God gave me a personal mission to help build His Kingdom, based on my talents, gifts, and life experiences. It has blessed my life so much and it’s amazing to see how my mission has blessed others. It’s rewarding, fun, and I’m so thankful to our loving God for allowing me to have this experience. It has been much-needed in my life.

Let’s explore the incredible assets God has already given you. As you ponder on them, take notes of any thoughts that come to your mind, then pray about them afterwards. God will guide you towards your personal mission to help hasten the work of salvation. The answer may not come immediately, but keep thinking on it and feel free to even start one of your favorite ideas. He will course correct you, if you get off the track He wants you on.

Your God-Given Strengths

First, let’s talk about those amazing inherent qualities you possess. Are you naturally empathetic? A born leader? Incredibly organized? Do you have an unstoppable sense of optimism? Each of these is a divine gift. If you’re wondering what your top strengths are, you can check out this list of 100 Human Character Strengths to help you identify them.

Beyond just knowing your strengths, there’s a ton of cool research out there that actually proves how powerful these character strengths are! The VIA Institute on Character, a big name in positive psychology, has done loads of studies showing that identifying and using your top strengths can seriously boost your happiness, well-being, and even your performance at work or school. For example, one study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychologyfound that people who regularly use their signature strengths in new ways report increased happiness and decreased depression for up to six months. They’ve found that strengths like hope, zest, gratitude, and love are often super-connected to life satisfaction, and even things like perseverance can help students achieve more. It’s pretty neat to see how focusing on what’s naturally good in us can make such a tangible, positive impact on our lives and the lives of those around us!

As it says in Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-12, “For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.”

Your Unique Talents

These are the skills you’ve honed – maybe you’re a gifted artist who can paint inspiring scenes, a musician who can bring comfort through melody, a tech wizard who builds incredible websites or apps, a natural teacher who simplifies complex ideas, or an amazing cook who uses food to connect people. Perhaps you’re skilled in photography, writing, public speaking, graphic design, woodworking, coding, event planning, language learning, or even gardening. Your talents aren’t just for personal enjoyment; they’re meant to be shared to bless others, building bridges and shining light in countless ways.

Heber J. Grant lived by the motto, “That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased”

Your Deep Interests

What genuinely captures your attention and time? Is it hiking, gaming, delving into history, or perhaps a passion for animals? Your true interests aren’t just personal pastimes; they are powerful springboards for connection and gospel outreach.

Think about how your love for gardening could lead to organizing a community garden where neighbors of all backgrounds can work together, share produce, and naturally discuss the blessings of the earth. If you’re into board games, hosting a regular game night could become a fantastic, low-pressure way to build friendships and invite others into a wholesome, joyful environment. Perhaps your interest in fitness could inspire a community walking group, fostering healthy habits and conversations. These shared interests create natural common ground, helping you build authentic friendships where gospel light can be shared organically and genuinely, making your efforts feel less like an assignment and more like simply being yourself.

Your Abundant Blessings

Take a moment to truly ponder the blessings in your life – a supportive family, good health, a stable job, access to education, a peaceful home. How can these blessings be extended to lift and bless others in your community? As it says in Mosiah 2:17, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” Your blessings are often the very resources He intends you to share.

Consider how these blessings, when coupled with your unique strengths and talents, become powerful tools for good. If you have extra time, perhaps you could volunteer regularly at a local soup kitchen, becoming a consistent, kind presence. If energy abounds, organize a neighborhood clean-up day, fostering unity and showing community care. Those blessed with financial means might discreetly help a family in need, enabling them to attend an event or overcome a challenge, demonstrating God’s love. Your talents can be offered freely, like a musician performing at a nursing home or a photographer capturing family memories for those who can’t afford it. Your connections can open doors, leading to job opportunities for someone struggling or a space for a community event. And your knowledge, whether practical or spiritual, can be shared to mentor youth, offer financial advice, or clarify gospel truths in natural conversation. When we use these gifts, we don’t just solve problems; we show God’s hand, inviting people to see His love and turn to Him.

Your Valuable Knowledge

What do you know a lot about? Whether it’s formal education, professional expertise, or deep understanding of specific subjects, your knowledge can be a powerful tool for serving and teaching. Think of how Joseph Smith’s thirst for knowledge led to the Restoration. Your knowledge, guided by the Spirit, can illuminate paths for others.

Consider how your specific areas of expertise can become avenues for service and light. If you have financial knowledge, you could offer free, simple budgeting workshops for young families in your ward or community, empowering them with self-reliance. For those skilled in digital marketing, perhaps you could volunteer to help a local charity amplify their message, showcasing principles of community support. If you’re a master gardener, sharing your insights on sustainable living or even helping neighbors cultivate their own small plots can lead to unexpected gospel conversations about stewardship of the earth. Maybe your expertise lies in child development; offering tips and support to new parents or those struggling can build invaluable trust. Or, if you’re a history buff, you could share fascinating local historical facts, gently weaving in the role of faith or the Church’s heritage in the area. When you share your knowledge, you’re not just imparting information; you’re building bridges of trust and demonstrating the practical, positive impact of gospel-informed living, subtly turning hearts towards the Master Teacher.

Your Personal Connections

Think beyond just who you know – consider what your connections can open up. Do you have a friend who manages a large convention center, offering a potential venue for community classes or uplifting social gatherings? Perhaps you know someone who can secure children’s toys at a low cost, allowing you to organize a Christmas package drive for a local women’s shelter. Or maybe a relative works at a food bank and can help you organize a large-scale ward service project. These unique connections to people and places are powerful resources God has placed in your life, designed to help you amplify your efforts to serve and share the gospel. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “It is through our hands, eyes, voice, and heart that the Lord can do His work.” Your connections are a primary channel for this.

Your Rich Life Experiences

Every challenge you’ve overcome, every triumph you’ve celebrated, every lesson you’ve learned shapes who you are. These experiences, especially when shared with vulnerability and faith, can be powerful testimonies to the redeeming power of Christ and His gospel. Your personal story can inspire and comfort in ways no textbook ever could. A study published in Psychological Science highlighted that personal narratives are far more memorable and persuasive than abstract arguments. Your experiences add to your unique testimony.

Think about the unique chapters of your life. If you’ve navigated a significant career change, your story might inspire someone feeling stuck, showing them how faith guided your decisions. If you’ve experienced grief or loss, sharing how gospel principles brought you peace can comfort those who are suffering, demonstrating the power of eternal families and the Atonement. Perhaps you’ve moved frequently or lived in diverse places; your insights on adapting and finding community can help newcomers feel welcome. If you’ve overcome addiction or a deep personal struggle, your journey can offer profound hope and testify of repentance and redemption. Even seemingly small experiences, like learning a new skill or navigating a parenting challenge, can become relatable points of connection where you can naturally share how faith played a role. When you share your authentic journey, you’re not just telling a story; you’re opening a window to the Savior’s influence in real life, inviting others to consider His loving hand in their own.

Your Ideas and Impressions

This is where the magic happens! As you combine self-reflection with sincere prayer, the Holy Ghost will prompt you with specific, personalized ideas. These aren’t random thoughts; they are your divine assignments, tailored perfectly to you and those you can influence. As President Boyd K. Packer explained, “Inspiration comes more as a feeling than a sound.” Trust these quiet promptings and then ACT IN FAITH. Watch the magic happen!

Real-Life Inspiration: Creative Ways to Hasten the Work

To show you what this looks like in action, let me share some real-world examples, inspired by people I know (or perhaps even myself!):

Blogging with Purpose: For me, with a love for writing, an organized mind, and a business mindset, I found my mission in creating blog posts that teach about the gospel truth, found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s my personalized way to hasten the work, inspired by God, with all success coming from Him.
Humor Meets “Come, Follow Me”: I know brothers (mine!!) who are incredibly funny and have a knack for video production. They decided to combine those talents to create hilarious “Come, Follow Me” videos specifically for kids. Their channel is called Thumb Follow Me. They offer them online, making scripture study engaging and accessible for families far and wide. It’s their unique blend of humor and tech skills serving the Lord.
Deep Dives into Scripture: Another brother of mine, a truly gifted student of the scriptures with a keen understanding of symbolism, felt inspired to create a YouTube channel, God’s Calling. His videos invite viewers to “dig deep” to understand the temple’s profound meaning, offering insights that resonate with both members and those curious about our beliefs. He’s leveraging his intellectual strength and passion for the scriptures in a unique way.
Community Support for New Moms: Imagine someone with a strength in nurturing and a talent for cooking. They might feel prompted to organize a rotating meal train for every new mother in their neighborhood, creating natural friendships and showing Christlike love through service.
DIY Workshops with Gospel Principles: A person with practical skills and a talent for teaching could host free workshops in their garage – maybe basic home repairs, gardening tips, or car maintenance. During these sessions, they could naturally share how principles like self-reliance, stewardship, and helping neighbors are central to their faith.
Podcast for Young Adults: If you have strong communication skills, an interest in current events, and life experience navigating early adulthood, you might consider starting a podcast. It could cover life challenges from a gospel perspective, offering hope and inviting listeners to explore eternal truths.
Digital Storytelling for Family History: For those with technical proficiency and a love for storytelling, you could offer to help ward members or even community members create short, engaging digital stories about their ancestors using photos and audio. This helps them feel the Spirit of Elijah and connects them to their heritage in a meaningful way.
Neighborhood Playgroup Organizer: For those with hospitality and a talent for organization, starting a weekly playgroup for young children in a local park or home could be a simple yet profound way to build community, make friends, and minister to families, some of whom may feel isolated.

Mission Incoming: Your Unique Contribution Awaits

The work of building the Kingdom of God is vast, and it requires every one of us. You have a unique and vital role to play. Don’t wait for a formal calling or a grand opportunity. Start right where you are, with what you have. As President Nelson has promised, “As we listen to and act on the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we will be led to those who are prepared to receive the gospel.”

Put on your thinking cap, say lots of prayers, and look inward at the incredible person God has already helped you become. He knows what you can do, and He’ll guide you every step of the way. The world is waiting for your light.

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