I looked up the definitions of each word to understand what they mean individually, before I learned why they're paired together several times in scripture.
In the LDS Topical Guide, "temperance" is synonymous with self-mastery. The Virtue First Foundation describes temperance as "moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.;" "habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion." To be temperate means to use moderation in all things or to exercise self-control.
In the LDS Topical Guide, "temperance" is synonymous with self-mastery. The Virtue First Foundation describes temperance as "moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.;" "habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion." To be temperate means to use moderation in all things or to exercise self-control.
It goes on to say that "temperance is the virtue that moderates our attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of things of this world. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is virtuous."
Temperance is "considered one of the four cardinal virtues, for it is believed that no virtue could be sustained in the face of inability to control oneself, if the virtue was opposed to some desire. Temperance is generally defined by control over excess, so that it has many such classes, such as abstinence, chastity, modesty, humility, prudence, self-regulation, forgiveness and mercy; each of these involves restraining some impulse, such as sexual desire, vanity, or anger."
In the Christian world, temperance is described as one of the "fruits of the Spirit." The Apostle Paul described these fruits of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance." (Galatians 5:22-23) This means that when we live worthy of the Spirit, we are blessed with a greater sense of temperance, along will all these other virtues. We are able to overcome the natural man and control our desires.
One of the most commonly understood and referenced forms of temperance is self-control of physical desires for food and drink and sexual pleasures. Benjamin Franklin said that temperance "tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head, which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits, and the force of perpetual temptations. In other words, first attaining self-discipline in the area of food and drink would make adherence to all of the other virtues easier.
"Why is this? Hunger and thirst are some of the most primal of urges, and thus are some of the hardest to control. Therefore, when seeking to gain self-discipline, one must start with the most basic appetites and work up from there. A man must first harness his inward urges, before tackling the more external virtues. A clear mind and a healthy body are prerequisites to the pursuit of the virtuous life."
The Google definition of diligence is "careful and persistent work or effort." Diligence is synonomous with conscientiousness, hard work, rigor, perseverance, persistence, tenacity, dedication, commitment, and tirelessness.
The section states: "Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord's work. The Lord expects you to work diligently--persistently and with great effort and care. A diligent [person] works effectively and efficiently. Diligence . . . is an expression of your love for the Lord and His work. When you are diligent, you find joy and satisfaction in your work.
"Do many good things of your own free will (see D&C 58:27). Don't wait for your leaders to tell you what to do. Continue until you have done all you can, even when you are tired. Focus on the most important things and avoid wasting time. Pray for guidance and strength: plan regularly and effectively. Avoid anything that distracts your thoughts or actions."
As I read the section the words that stick out to be are these: focus, hard work, be smart, steady, consistent, earnest, energetic, persistent, effective & efficient, love, service, prayer, plan. All of these words apply to a diligent person.
In the book of Alma, during a time of war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the Nephites prospered because of their diligence:
"Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God . . ."
They also never stopped working to prepare for future battles. Their leader Moroni "did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should . . . commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the Nephites" (Alma 49:30-50:1). They built timbers around the cities to put tall picket frames upon as strongholds, and they built secure towers where people could safely overlook the city and also throw stones at any enemy who approached the wall. "Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the land" (verse 6). He also was proactive in leading his armies into the wilderness to drive the Lamanites into their own lands, away from the Nephites' own city. He strengthened every city to "secure their armies and their people from the hands of their enemies" (verse 10). "Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase daily because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them, did seek to cut off the strength and the power of the Lamanites from the lands of their possessions, that they should have no power upon the lands of their possessions" (verse 12).
We, too, can be proactive in our diligent efforts to fortify ourselves, to protect ourselves from our enemy Satan who constantly seeks to destroy us. Because of their hard work, the Nephites were always prepared. They were strong enough to be able to deal with whatever was to come.
Later in this chapter we see how the Nephites were blessed for their diligence: "And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the land. And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified, even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying: Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord" (verses 18-20).
"And those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites. But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges" (verses 22-23)
Joshua 22:5 states, "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul."
So we see that to be both temperate and diligent are commandments from God. Why are these two words paired together in scripture? How do they relate?
Another scripture that includes these two virtues, including several others, is 2 Pet. 1:4–7: "Be partakers of the divine nature, … giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity."
Charles Kingsley once stated, "Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know."
So temperance and diligence work hand in hand. A person must be diligent to maintain self-control--and vice versa, temperance will enable a person to work harder.
The Virtue First Foundation illustrates the story of Hercules at the crossroads, and how he demonstrated temperance and diligence:
Hercules meets two women at a crossroads. These women are the personifications of Virtue (Arete) and Vice (Kakia..the goddess of evil). They both advise Hercules to follow the road they show him. Virtue (Arete), points at a rocky and steep road. This isn’t a nice and easy road, it has on it many trials and tribulations. But at the end there will be a reward of fame and glory. Vice (Kakia) points at a ‘better’, more attractive road, one which is much easier to travel…the path of vice. Hercules can take the easy passable road, that is flat and where he can have a lot of fun, right now. Or the difficult road, with view on a beautiful, but far away future. It is hard to choose. When the women have disappeared, Hercules chooses the hard path of temperance, discipline and self-control……the way Virtue (Arete) showed him. Hercules remains the captain of his soul and the hero. Hercules remains the hero, also in this story.
In a conference talk given by Kent D. Watson, he explained that "being temperate means to carefully examine our expectations and desires, to be diligent and patient in seeking righteous goals."
He related a story of when he was in a car accident and would have been seriously injured had the glass on his windshiled not been tempered: "Tempered glass, like tempered steel, undergoes a well-controlled heating process which increases strength. Thus, when tempered glass is under stress, it will not easily break into jagged shards that can injure.
"Likewise, a temperate soul—one who is humble and full of love—is also a person of increased spiritual strength. With increased spiritual strength, we are able to develop self-mastery and to live with moderation. We learn to control, or temper, our anger, vanity, and pride. With increased spiritual strength, we can protect ourselves from the dangerous excesses and destructive addictions of today’s world.
"When Jesus Christ, the greatest of all, suffered for us to the extent that He bled from every pore, He did not express anger or revile in suffering. With unsurpassed self-restraint, or temperance, His thoughts were not of Himself but of you and of me. And then, in humility and full of love, He said, 'Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.'"
Ultimately, temperance and diligence protect us from the deceitfulness of the devil. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). We must be temperate so we can discern between the truth of God and the lies of Satan! If we are "sober and vigilant," we can avoid the destruction of the devil!
Elder Watson gives the clearest reason for applying these two virtues in our lives: "Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things. Peace of mind comes from strengthened faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness comes from being diligent in keeping covenants made at baptism and in the holy temples of the Lord."
