Jesus changed the focus of his instruction, as well as his audience, for the concluding section of his great sermon (3 Nephi 13:25–14:27). He turned his attention to the Twelve and other leaders whose calling was to go out and teach and testify—and by extension today to all authorities and missionaries, anyone in full-time service to the kingdom. “Take no thought for” means “don’t worry about” or “don’t be overly anxious about.” Those in full-time service to the Lord must not be burdened with the daily cares of food, drink, and clothing (compare Alma 31:37–38). Others can help provide for their temporal needs so they can dedicate themselves completely to his work, without distractions.
Jesus’ illustrations are refreshing. Look at the birds and the flowers, how the God of heaven cares for their needs (compare D&C 84:81–82). Notice, he said, the fowls of the air; they do not plant, cultivate, and harvest the fields; they do not store up great quantities of supplies in barns; but God takes care of them. The lesson is one of faith and trust. Jesus encouraged his disciples to divest themselves of constant preoccupation with worldly survival, though he did not intend for people to abandon their mortal labors and wait for God to provide.
Consider the example of a young, newly married couple. The world suggests that before they start bringing babies into the world, they should wait until they have a house and a good, stable, full-time job, the car paid for, and all the clothes and amenities that the baby will need upon arrival and for the first months of his or her life. The Lord says that even though they don’t have everything in place, they are not yet financially secure—and, in fact, are still struggling to finish school and working full time—and yes, the schedule is exhausting, still, they should not put off bringing children into the world. If we are faithful and do what we can, then we can have confidence that God will take care of us. God wants his children to be submissive and dependent, to look to him and live. We work hard, do all we can, and God provides.
Can any of us add, just by thinking about it, even one cubit (about eighteen inches) to our height? A foot and a half is a significant addition to one’s height, and it takes time. The answer must be no. We are quite dependent on God for our growth—but consider the lilies of the field; they grow without thinking about it.
“Consider the lilies of the field how they grow.” Lilies are flowers that grow from a bulb, like iris, crocus, hyacinth, and tulip. By saying that the once-wise king in all his glory was not arrayed like one of the lilies, we are to understand that the flush of colorful spring flowers scattered over all the hills, valleys, and plains would produce in the eyes of the beholder genuine admiration and awe for the elegant beauty of one of God’s simple creations. If God cares for the smallest works of his hands, surely he will care for and provide for humankind, his crowning creation.
God’s own children are of greater value than all the flora and fauna; surely he will care for our needs, too. Heavenly Father knows all our needs; he can provide (D&C 84:83). One of his divine efforts is “providence” for his children (Jacob 2:13; D&C 78:14; Joseph Smith–History 1:75).
Our priority must be to seek “first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Joseph Smith, as was his prerogative as a prophet, later made significant additions to the teachings of verse 33: “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world, but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33, footnote a, from JST, Matthew 6:38; emphasis added). “Do many things of [your] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness” and you shall “in nowise lose [your] reward” (D&C 58:27–28).
Seek first the kingdom of God. He is always first; our fellowman is second; we are third. We get in trouble spiritually when we put ourselves in first place. God and his work and glory must always be our number one priority.
President Ezra Taft Benson said:
“Why did God put the first commandment first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments… .
“We must put God in the forefront of everything else in our lives… .
“ … Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
“We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives.”50
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow”—again, the idea is “don’t worry about” or “don’t be overly anxious about” the things of tomorrow. “Let the morrow take thought for the things of itself” (D&C 84:84). There is enough to be concerned about each day—one day at a time—without piling on all future concerns. That does not negate, however, the need to prepare for the future, but that is what we do when we live fully and properly each day. Daily, righteous living quietly and automatically provides for the morrow.