From http://www.lds.org:

President Oaks’s message contains metaphors that teach how small and simple things can have a powerful effect for good or evil. These metaphors include tree roots, a team of rowers, rope fibers, and dripping water. Members could read these metaphors and discuss what they teach about the power of doing small and simple things consistently. What are the small and simple things that bring the influence of the Holy Ghost into our lives? Invite members to ponder what they are impressed to do to follow President Oaks’s counsel.

See: Small and Simple Things

Metaphor of tree roots

I was reminded of the power of small and simple things over time by something I saw on a morning walk. Here is the picture I took. The thick and strong concrete sidewalk is cracking. Is this the result of some large and powerful thrust? No, this cracking is caused by the slow, small growth of one of the roots reaching out from the adjoining tree. Here is a similar example I saw on another street.

The thrusting power that cracked these heavy concrete sidewalks was too small to measure on a daily or even a monthly basis, but its effect over time was incredibly powerful.

What does this metaphor teach us about the power of doing small and simple things consistently?

President Oaks gives the following examples:

• scripture study
• personal prayer
• kneeling family prayer
• attendance at Seminary and Institute
• repentance
• making decisions about how we use our time, what we view on TV and the internet, what we read, the art and music we surround ourselves with, what we seek for entertainment
• being honest and truthful
• being civil and cheerful

What other examples can you think of?

What small and simple things have blessed your life?

What small and simple things can we do to bless those that we minister to?

Metaphor of team of rowers

We are surrounded by media influences and cultural deteriorations that will carry us downstream in our values if we are not continually resisting. To move upstream toward our eternal goal, we must constantly keep paddling. It helps if we are part of a team that is paddling together, like a rowing crew in action. To extend that example even further, the cultural currents are so strong that if we ever stop paddling, we will be carried downstream toward a destination we do not seek but which becomes inevitable if we do not constantly try to move forward.

What do you think President Oaks means when he says that we must constantly keep paddling?

What teams are we part of that will help us to keep paddling?

Metaphor of rope fibres

Many years ago, President M. Russell Ballard described to a general conference audience “how small and simple things can be negative and destructive to a person’s salvation.” He taught: “Like weak fibers that form a yarn, then a strand, and finally a rope, these small things combined together can become too strong to be broken. We must ever be aware of the power that the small and simple things can have in building spirituality,” he said. “At the same time, we must be aware that Satan will use small and simple things to lead us into despair and misery.”

In what ways can small and simple things be negative and destructive? Can you think of some examples?

Metaphor of dripping water

To protect against the cumulative negative effects that are destructive to our spiritual progress, we need to follow the spiritual pattern of small and simple things. Elder David A. Bednar described this principle in a BYU Women’s Conference: “We can learn much about the nature and importance of this spiritual pattern from the technique of … dripping water onto the soil at very low rates,” in contrast to flooding or spraying large quantities of water where it may not be needed.

He explained: “The steady drips of water sink deep into the ground and provide a high moisture level in the soil wherein plants can flourish. In like manner, if you and I are focused and frequent in receiving consistent drops of spiritual nourishment, then gospel roots can sink deep into our soul, can become firmly established and grounded, and can produce extraordinary and delicious fruit.”

What are we to understand by the contrast between dripping water one the one hand and flooding or spraying large quantities of water on the other hand?

Action

I believe we all desire to follow President Russell M. Nelson’s challenge to press forward “on the covenant path.” Our commitment to do so is strengthened by consistently following the “small things” we are taught by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the leaders of His Church. 

What are you impressed to do following President Oaks’ counsel?