“It Is Not the Work of God That Is Frustrated, but the Work of Men”
Doctrine and Covenants 3:1–3
1 The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.
2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.
3 Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men;
President M. Russell Ballard said:
“Now, my brothers and sisters, my purpose . . . is to remind us of this simple truth:
“‘The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.
“‘For God doth not walk in crooked paths, . . . neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.
“‘Remember . . . that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men’ (D&C 3:1–3).
“God has spoken through His prophet and announced to the world that ‘the Standard of Truth has been erected’ and that ‘no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.’ That is undeniably and indisputably true. We have seen it for ourselves, in decade after decade . . . Persecutions have raged. Calumny and lies and misrepresentation have attempted to defame. But in every decade from the time of the Restoration forward, the truth of God has gone ‘forth boldly, nobly, and independent.’ The little Church that started in 1830 with just a handful of members has now grown to more than [16] million Latter-day Saints in many different nations around the world, and we are well on our way to penetrating every continent, visiting every clime, sweeping every country, and sounding in every ear.
“This is God’s work, and God’s work will not be frustrated. But there is still much to be done before the Great Jehovah can announce that the work is done. While we praise and honor those faithful Saints who have brought us to this point of public prominence, we cannot afford, my brothers and sisters, to be comfortable or content.”
(“The Truth of God Shall Go Forth,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 83.)
