Why Does the Lord Require “the Heart and a Willing Mind”?

 My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 64-66 in a lesson titled “The Lord Requireth the Heart and a Willing Mind.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

In the miserable heat of August 1831, several elders were traveling back to Kirtland from the land of Zion in Missouri. The travelers were hot and weary, and tensions soon turned into quarrels. It may have seemed like building Zion, a city of love, unity, and peace, was going to take a long time.

Fortunately, building Zion—in Missouri in 1831 or in our hearts, families, and wards today—doesn’t require us to be perfect. Instead, “of you it is required to forgive,” the Lord said (Doctrine and Covenants 64:10). He requires “the heart and a willing mind” (verse 34). And He requires patience and diligence, for Zion is built on the foundation of “small things,” accomplished by those who do not become “weary in well-doing” (verse 33).

This lesson contains several principles, including (1) “Forgive one another” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:1-11), (2) The Lord asks for my “heart and a willing mind” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:31-34), (3) Zion shall be “an ensign unto the people” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:41-43, (4) The kingdom of God on earth prepares the world for the Savior’s return (Doctrine and Covenants 65), and (5) The Lord knows the thoughts of my heart (Doctrine and Covenants 66). This discussion will consider principle #2 about the “heart and a willing mind.” The applicable scripture block teaches the following:

31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.

32 But all things must come to pass in their time.

33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

The Lord tells His disciples avoid becoming “weary in well-doing,” which is often difficult. Sometimes the “well-doing” that we are trying to accomplish takes longer than we think that it should take. It is easy to forget that we are working with human beings – individuals who have their own sense of timing for how they want to live their lives.

It is easy to become over-zealous and then discouraged in trying to help someone – a spouse, child, or friend who chooses to move slower than desired in their spiritual growth. The Lord teaches us how to be more patient in helping other people when He said that great things can be brought about by doing small things. We should remember that laying a firm foundation takes time and effort.

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy the following possible meaning for the phrase “heart and a willing mind”:

The heart is symbolic of love and commitment. We make sacrifices and bear burdens for those we love that we would not endure for any other reason. If love does not exist, our commitment wanes….

Having “a willing mind” connotes giving our best effort and finest thinking and seeking God’s wisdom. It suggests that our most devoted lifetime study should be of things that are eternal in nature. It means that there must be an inextricable relationship between hearing the word of God and obeying it (“The Heart and a Willing Mind,” Ensign, June 2011, 31-32).

One thing that we should remember is that the Lord knows our thoughts and the desires of our heart. He knows how we feel about being obedient and how willing we are to keep His commandments and live the covenants that we have made with Him.