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Use Time Wisely

“For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.”

Alma 34:32

Ponder:Why is time one of God’s greatest gifts?

“The Gift of Time” (No video? Read the next page.)

Discuss:What did you learn from Sister Benkosi?

Practice:Here are five steps you can take each day to use your time well. Read each one. Did Sister Benkosi do these things?

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List Tasks

Each morning, make a list of tasks to do. Add names of people to serve.

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Pray

Pray for guidance. Listen. Commit to do your best.

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Set Priorities

Number your top priorities. Put a “1” by the most important task, put a “2” by the next one, and so on.

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Set Goals, Act

Listen to the Spirit. Set goals. Work hard. Start with the most important task and work down the list.

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Report

Each night, report to Heavenly Father in prayer. Ask questions. Listen. Feel His love. Repent.

Get started now. Write in this workbook or on a separate piece of paper. Do step 1: List your tasks for tomorrow. These should be important tasks for your work, for your studies, or for church or family service—not just daily chores.

Do steps 2 and 3.

Tomorrow, do steps 4 and 5.

Commit:Commit to doing the following actions during the week. Check the boxes when you complete each task:

• Practice these steps every day to use your time more wisely.

• Teach this principle to your family.

• Continue to practice the previous foundation principle.

“Time is all the capital stock there is on the earth. … If properly used, it brings that which will add to your comfort, convenience, and satisfaction. Let us consider this, and no longer sit with hands folded, wasting time.”

Brigham Young, in Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe (1954), 214

Facilitator Tip

When group members have questions, help them find answers for themselves.

The Gift of Time

If you are unable to watch the video, choose roles and read this script.

KOFI: Hello, Sister Benkosi. How are you?

SISTER BENKOSI: Are you okay, Kofi?

KOFI: Oh, Sister Benkosi. I’m so busy. I have to work and serve and help my family … and then my football, too. I have no time!

SISTER B.: Kofi, you have all the time there is.

KOFI: What?

SISTER B.: My boy, God has given us a great gift—our time. We must do with it what matters most.

KOFI: But how, Sister Benkosi? You have always done so much. You have succeeded with your family, with your business. You have served and blessed many, like me. I don’t know how you do it.

SISTER B.: Do you really want to know? If you will sit still and listen, I will tell you my secret.

Every morning I rise before the sun. I dress and wash my face and hands.

I read the scriptures. Then I make a list of what I should do that day.

I think of who I might serve. I pray to know God’s will. And I listen.

Sometimes the names or faces of people come to mind. I add them to my list.

KOFI: Is that how you always know just who needs your service?

SISTER B.: Yes, Kofi. And I pray for strength and wisdom. I pray that God will “consecrate [my] performance.” It says that in 2 Nephi 32.

I thank Him. I promise to do my best. I ask that He will do what I cannot.

Then I look at my list. I put a “1” by the most important thing, then a “2.”

KOFI: How do you know the priorities?

SISTER B.: I listen when I pray! Then I go to work. I look at number 1 and try to do it first, then number 2.

Sometimes things change. The Holy Ghost tells me to do something else. That is good.

I work very hard, but I have peace. I know God will help me.

So, with my list and the Spirit, I do what matters, Kofi.

KOFI: That sounds simple and hard at the same time.

SISTER B.: You are right! When I finally prepare for bed, I pray. I report to Heavenly Father. I tell Him how the day went. I ask questions. I ask what I can do better. I listen. I often feel His love. I know He magnifies what I try to do. Then I have peace, Kofi, and I sleep.

KOFI: That is good, Mamma Benkosi. I want this peace. I want to use my time. I want to work and serve better.

SISTER B.: You will give up things that do not matter, Kofi. You will use your time to do what does matter. And God will be with you if your heart is right.

KOFI: Thank you.

SISTER B.: Now go, dear boy. You have much to do!