Abundant life Quote by Hank Smith
““President Thomas S. Monson has said: “God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt. God gives to man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and glories of creation.” (in Quest of the Abundant Life, Ensign, March 1988) Put simply, the exhilaration of being creative and the feeling of accomplishment that often accompany hard work bring happiness. (Hank Smith, Be Happy)””
About This Quote
Source Article: Quest of the Abundant Life, Ensign, March 1988
Human creativity is a divine challenge; we are given raw materials and must shape them, finding joy in effort and unfinished work.
In simple terms: Creation is a task that brings happiness through effort.
Key Takeaway
Embrace work as a path to joy.
Themes
creativity
purpose
work
spirituality
Mood
inspired
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
motivational
spiritual
When to use this quote
- career projects
- artistic pursuits
- environmental stewardship
- problem solving
- community building
Key Concepts
divine challenge
human agency
meaningful labor
Questions to Reflect On
- What unfinished task could you start today?
- How does effort shape your sense of purpose?
A Different Perspective
Not all raw materials are accessible; constraints can limit creative expression.
