--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: President Thomas S. Monson has said: “God…" description: "\"“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 t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/hank-smith-58479_abundant-life_president-thomas-s-monson-has-said-god-l_570360.jpg" --- # President Thomas S. Monson has said: “God left the world… ![“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…” quote by Hank Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/hank-smith-58479_abundant-life_president-thomas-s-monson-has-said-god-l_570360.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/hank-smith-58479_abundant-life_president-thomas-s-monson-has-said-god-l_570360.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2b/hank-smith-58479_abundant-life_president-thomas-s-monson-has-said-god-l_570360.jpg) > ““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)”” [Hank Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abundant life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundant-life/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“God left us the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. 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He left the electricity still in the cloud, the oil still in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/god-left-the-world-unfinished-for-man-to-work-his-skill-upon-he-left/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Nature attains perfection, but man never does. There is a perfect ant, a perfect bee, but man is perpetually unfinished. 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