Concentrating on the Main Task
Souls Lost Because of Divided Efforts—Some ministers have
given themselves to the work of writing during a period of decided
religious interest, and it has frequently been the case that their writings
have had no special connection with the work in hand. This is a glaring
error; for at such times it is the duty of the minister to use his entire
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strength in pushing forward the cause of God. His mind should be
clear, and centered upon the one object of saving souls. Should his
thoughts be preoccupied with other subjects, many might be lost to the
cause who could have been saved by timely instruction.—
Testimonies
For The Church 4:265
(1876).
Loss Through Divided Effort—Your mistake has been this: Just
as soon as you enter upon an effort, you begin to do much writing.
Now if your part of the work is to write, if God has said to you, as He
did to John, “Write these things,” then give yourself to that, and do not
attempt more. If you are to give discourses, your mind is not vigorous
enough, although intensely active, to sustain the strain of speaking and
visiting and writing. You should let your mind rest in a great degree
when you engage in an effort to present new and startling truths to the
people, the reception of which involves a cross. You need to carefully
select your subject, make your discourses short, and important points
of doctrine very plain....
In order to make a success in this work you must do one thing at a
time, concentrate your powers upon that one work. Your judgment in
this direction is at fault. When you begin to give a series of discourses,
make these discourses the main business. Do not begin to write letters
and articles for the papers; for you divide your strength in doing this.
Elder _____ and Elder ______ were corrected in this matter. The
Lord showed me that the important work of presenting the truth was
being marred in their hands; not one-half the strength was brought into
their work, because of their devoting so much time to letter writing.
The visiting is the important part of the labor; but the time of these
brethren was occupied in almost constant writing, which wearied them,
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