Magnify

Jacob and Joseph magnified their calling to teach the people. They taught the word of God “with all diligence …, by laboring with [their] might” (Jacob 1:19).   I set out to see how that applied to me.  I believe I need to make the most of my callings and ponder how those programs can bless the lives of those I serve.

This is from Teaching, No Greater Call:
As you magnify your calling to teach, the Lord will magnify you. President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “There can be no failure in the work of the Lord when [we] do [our] best. We are but instruments; this is the Lord’s work. This is His Church, His gospel plan. These are His children we are working with. He will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities when necessary. This I know. I am sure many of you have experienced it as I have. It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 372).

Then in my search I landed on an article on how to magnify our callings while simplifying our lives and not making extra work for ourselves that takes time away from our families.  We don't necessarily need to get carried away in handouts and decorations that really don't add to the spirituality of the meeting.

“May I give you a word of caution as you plan your activities. Make sure that the essential needs are met, but do not go overboard in creating so many good things to do that the essential ones are not accomplished. … Remember, don’t magnify the work to be done—simplify it.” Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Doctrinal Foundation of the Auxiliaries,” Ensign, Aug. 2005, 67.

So we need to keep in mind that there should be a balance.  We do need to magnify our callings in finding ways to bless the lives of those we serve, but we also need to focus on what's important and not be "distracted from the essentials by adding unnecessary work that takes us away from our families or causes us undue stress. There must be a balance in all things. If we pray to know how the Lord would have us magnify our callings, He will help us do so."  Ensign, December 2005