Overcoming Procrastination: A Spiritual and Philosophical Perspective from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Procrastination is a topic that, although it may seem modern, has been present in the lives of human beings since ancient times. From a spiritual perspective, and specifically from the point of view of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, procrastination is not simply a bad habit or a lack of time management, but can be seen as a struggle against divine principles that have been given to us for our progress and happiness. Throughout the scriptures, both in the Bible and in other canonical books, we find teachings that invite us to act diligently and not to put off until tomorrow what we can do today. This is not just practical advice, but a spiritual principle that has profound implications for our relationship with God and with ourselves.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we read: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This passage reminds us that time is a sacred resource, a gift that God has given us to use wisely. However, procrastination leads us to waste this resource, to postpone what we know we should do, and in the process, we lose opportunities for growth, service, and blessing. When we procrastinate, we are not only failing to fulfill our earthly responsibilities, but we are also ignoring God's will for us at that specific moment.

In Doctrine and Covenants, one of the canonical works of the Church, we are clearly warned about the dangers of procrastination: "Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance" (Doctrine and Covenants 39:10). This warning does not only refer to repentance in a spiritual sense, but can also be applied to all areas of our lives. When we postpone repentance, service, scripture study, or anything else we know is important, we are moving away from the guidance of the Spirit and the blessings God has prepared for us.

The prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, gives us a powerful example of what it means to act diligently and not fall into the trap of procrastination. In his discourse to his son Helaman, Alma tells him: "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God" (Alma 37:35). Alma is not telling his son to wait until he is older or until he feels ready to keep the commandments. He is urging him to act now, not to waste time, because he knows that the present moment is the most important. This advice is equally applicable to us today. We cannot afford to wait for circumstances to be perfect or to feel completely ready to act. Life is short, and every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to God and to our fellow men.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul exhorts us to be diligent in our faith and in our works: "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Paul is not suggesting that we wait until we have more time, more resources, or more energy to do good. He is telling us to take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way, because we do not know how much time we will have to act. Procrastination robs us of these opportunities, and in the process, it distances us from the fullness of life that God desires for us.

From a philosophical point of view, procrastination has been analyzed by many thinkers throughout history. The Italian philosopher Giacomo Leopardi once said: "The habit of procrastinating is that of always leaving for tomorrow what should be done today, and thus losing time instead of gaining it." This quote reminds us that procrastination not only makes us lose time, but also prevents us from reaching our full potential. Every time we postpone something important, we are failing to move forward toward our goals and, ultimately, toward our personal and spiritual fulfillment.

Another Italian philosopher, Benedetto Croce, offers an interesting perspective on the importance of acting in the present: "History is the history of liberty, and liberty is the capacity to act in the present." This idea can be applied to our struggle against procrastination. Every moment we have is an opportunity to exercise our freedom and make decisions that bring us closer to God and to our fellow men. When we procrastinate, we are giving up that freedom and allowing time to control us, rather than being the ones who control our time.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are taught that we are responsible for our own decisions and that we must give an account to God for how we use our time and talents. In the book of Mosiah, we read: "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors" (Mosiah 4:27). This passage reminds us that we have no time to lose. Each day is an opportunity to prepare spiritually, to serve others, and to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Procrastination prevents us from doing these things, and in the process, it distances us from the fullness of life that God desires for us.

Jesus Christ Himself gave us the perfect example of diligence and dedication. During His earthly ministry, He never wasted time or postponed what He knew He had to do. In the Gospel of John, we read: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4). Jesus knew that His time on earth was limited, and so He acted with urgency and purpose at all times. We, as His disciples, must follow His example and not allow procrastination to prevent us from fulfilling our mission in life.

In conclusion, procrastination is more than just a bad habit; it is a barrier that prevents us from reaching our spiritual and temporal potential. Through the scriptures and the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we learn that time is a sacred resource that we must use wisely. We cannot afford to postpone what we know is important, because we do not know how much time we will have to act. As the apostle Paul reminds us: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). May we take these words seriously and act diligently in all that we do, so that we may live a full and blessed life.