Exodus 18

President Gordon B. Hinckley said -

...Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word of God” (Moro. 6:4)... (Ensign, May 1997, 47)

A responsibility or a calling develops ones faith and helps one grow. Moses teaches some great lessons of the importance of callings in his travels in the wilderness. As Joshua was fighting Amalek, we learn that -

"...when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed." (Old Testament | Exodus 17:11)

Holding ones arms and hands up for an extended period is a very difficult thing to do. So it was for Moses, so -

"...they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." (Old Testament | Exodus 17:12)

What a great analogy this is for those who serve as counselors in the Church. It is very difficult for a priesthood leader to bear the entire uburden. One of the signs of the true Church is the concept of presidencies where there is a president holding keys with two counselors that counsel and provide support just as Aaron and Hur did for Moses. We see this same concept in the meridian of time with Peter, James, and John.

We learn even more about leadership and delegation as Moses's father-in-law visits the camp of Israel. Jethro observed -

"...that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening." (Old Testament | Exodus 18:13)

Seeing this great burden placed on Moses, Jethro asks -

"...What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?" (Old Testament | Exodus 18:14)

Moses seems to be attempting to everything he can in serving the Lord responds -

"...Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws." (Old Testament | Exodus 18:15 - 16)

Even though it is obvious that Moses loves the people and his desire is pure, Jethro teaches -

"...The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone." (Old Testament | Exodus 18:17 - 18)

Jethro is trying to teach that many others need a responsibility which will benefit them. If Moses does it all himself, it does not benefit others. Moses was to learn to delegate his responsibilities. So Jethro explained -

"Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace." (Old Testament | Exodus 18:19 - 23)

Jethro taught that those things others have authority to administer in should do so and Moses should only reserve those responsibilities that he himself should do. This proved to be a great blessing for all of Israel.