The Little Extra Effort: Striving for Excellence in the Work

Brothers and sisters, sometimes when I’m thinking about the mission field, or even just about our own lives here on earth, I’m reminded of a talk I heard from a leader of the Church. It spoke to a concept that feels both incredibly grand—like the wonder of man described by Shakespeare—and yet, intimately small, like the difference between a single tenth of a second in an Olympic race.

It’s the concept of *excellence*. Not perfection, mind you, because that’s a trap we can all fall into. But excellence—that striving to be a little better today than we were yesterday—that’s where the Spirit seems to guide us. It’s the cumulative effect of those tiny, often unseen efforts.

We hear these words echoed from the scriptures: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4). It points to our incredible potential, the divinity within each of us. We are more than the sum of our circumstances, more than the roles we play in our families or our callings. We are children of God, and that potential is staggering.

The Quest for Excellence

President Hinckley painted a picture of this potential, noting that the gap between just "good enough" and truly excellent can be minuscule. It’s not about one massive, heroic effort; it’s about the *little extra effort* we make when no one is watching.

Think about it in the context of the work. When we are preparing for missions, or when we are in the field, we often feel overwhelmed. We look at the scope of the gospel, the eternal scope of the work, and we can feel bogged down by the sheer magnitude of it all. It can feel like we need to be perfect missionaries, or perfect disciples, all the time.

But the Spirit whispers differently. It whispers, "Be better today." It whispers, "Study a little longer tonight." It whispers, "Ask one more thoughtful question during your missionary discussions."

This principle applies everywhere. It applies to our scripture study in the Book Club setting, where showing up ready to engage, even when we’re tired, makes the discussion richer. It applies to our personal study time, where taking the time to wrestle with a difficult passage in the *Iron Rod* rather than skimming over it.

It reminds me that even in the seemingly mundane moments—like our weekly efforts to be better Internet missionaries—those small acts of diligence are what build the foundation for the eternal life we are striving toward. The little extra effort in our testimony, the little extra time spent praying for our companions, the little extra willingness to ask a clarifying question in a Bible Study Group—those are the things that move us from mediocrity toward the glory of the Lord.

Being Christlike in the Details

We are called to be Christlike, and Christ’s life was defined by countless moments of choice—moments where the easier path was available, but the harder, more righteous path was the one that would bring eternal blessings. That’s the pattern we are called to follow.

If you’re feeling the drag of the daily grind, if the weight of the gospel feels heavy, I invite you to remember that small hinges swing big doors. What small act of service, what small moment of study, or what small adjustment in your attitude can you commit to this week? Don't aim for a miracle; aim for the *next best version of yourself*.

Let's keep building that temple of our lives, brick by diligent brick. We are all of the family of God, and that potential is waiting to be unlocked through consistent, faithful effort.

If you feel the Spirit prompting you toward greater diligence in your discipleship, I encourage you to take advantage of the tools we have. If you're wrestling with a specific doctrinal question, bring it to Davee for a session with the AI Investigator. If you need community support, dive into the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. And if you're ready to commit to a deeper dive with others, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces. Let’s rise together.