"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" (D&C 64:33)

I donated my hair. I cut off 10 inches (that's the minimum requirement). As I have thought about how long it took me to grow out my hair, from very short to as long as it needed to be to donate it, it was close to 4 years. If you just count from when I decided to focus on donating it, it was over a year. It took time, just a tiny amount each day, invisible to the naked eye. No real effort on my part actually, other than to brush, wash, dry it, and keep it healthy. There are things like that in our lives that go unnoticed but make a big difference for others. For example, cooking a meal, folded laundry, garbage taken out to the trash can, socks picked up and put in the laundry basket, dishes taken over from the table after dinner, a diaper changed. This list of small things that make a difference for us and others is endless. Sometimes we may become weary from doing all these small things. But the Lord responds with such feelings by saying: "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" (D&C 64:33).

As I have looked back over the years of growing out my hair there were little things I did that made a difference. This is the same with taking care of our spiritual growth. Alma taught his son, Helaman, about being wise, he said, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls" (Alma 37:6-7). The Lord's purpose is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39) and He helps lead us through small means, not huge miracles or flashy signs. For example, if we want to make the changes that allow us to get into shape for a long race we don't just go out and run or ride a bike for hours on end. We do small things, incrementally that make a difference and build up stamina, endurance, and good health. If we want to raise our children in righteousness and teach them to love the Lord it takes small things and diligence. We can find great joy in "well-doing" as we teach our children by loving and guiding them.

The Lord said, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 88:63). To find Him we must be diligent. Growing my hair out required diligence. It was the small and simple things that made the difference. The same is with our relationship with our Father in Heaven. He doesn't require us to go out and run a marathon or carry 50 pounds for miles on end. What He wants and requires of us is simple and depends upon our diligence. He says, "Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength" (D&C 11:20). Keeping the commandments is the smallest thing we can do that makes "great things" come to pass (Alma 37:6; see also 1 Nephi 16:29; D&C 123:16). The Lord will "prepare a way" (1 Nephi 3:7) for us to accomplish all things that He desires for us to achieve. The challenge for us sometimes is to get our will in line with His. To have the desire to be obedient and keep His commandments, and thus, "laying a foundation of a great work" (D&C 64:33). And we, His children, are His great work!