Editor’s note: “The Spoken Word” is shared by Derrick Porter each Sunday during the weekly Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square broadcast. This will be given Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.
Every great thing has a beginning. A new business grows from an idea. A piece of art develops from a moment of inspiration. A skillset or talent blossoms from a desire to try something new. Anything great or grand comes from something small and simple. In fact, the scriptures teach us “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (see Alma 37:6).
Taking that first step toward accomplishing something great is often difficult. Our seemingly small and simple circumstances can make the idea of future achievement seem nearly impossible. So how does a beginner begin? Arthur Ashe, the first African American winner of the men’s U.S. Open Tennis Championships, wisely said: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Sarah Gilbert exemplified Arthur’s advice perfectly. In 1851, Sarah desired for her family to immigrate to America. The only problem was they had no money, and there were many children at home to feed. Regardless, Sarah determined to start where she was, to use what she had and to do what she could. She secured an old blind horse and an old wagon, for which her husband built eight passenger seats. Day after day, Sarah drove the horse with her paying passengers to and from the market. While there, she would buy goods to sell to the other villagers upon her return.
Month after month, year after year, she worked toward her goal, saving her pennies. Eventually, 27 long and hard years later, she realized her dream of bringing her family to America (see “Life of James and Sarah Choules Gilbert,” by Alonzo J. Gilbert, biographical sketch, FamilySearch.org).
Starting where we are begins with small and simple things, as it did for Sarah. A simple idea inspires action, and the action is repeated and improved upon over time, eventually turning into something grand.
No great thing can ever be accomplished if you don’t start somewhere. So start where you are, use what you have and do what you can. With time, your small and simple efforts can transform into something great and grand.
Tuning in …
The “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcast is available on KSL-TV, KSL News Radio 1160AM/102.7FM, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish and DirecTV, SiriusXM (Ch. 143), tabernaclechoir.org, youtube.com/TheTabernacleChoir and Amazon Alexa (must enable skill). The program is aired live on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time on these outlets. Look up broadcast information by state and city at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedules.
