Article from North Carolina Mission paper that Elder Hutchings wrote

Elders and Sisters, we read in Preach my Gospel Chapter Six, Christlike Attributes under diligence that, "diligence is steady, consistent, earnest and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work." Then directly following it says, "The Lord expects you to work diligently." I believe this often causes fear of what will happen if we choose not to work diligently. I don't want to dwell on that aspect, but on why Heavenly Father expects this. He knows our Eternal Potential, so he knows who we can become even when we often times forget. He asks us to do hard things because we, with His support, can do them. It does take effort on our part, but the more we exert ourselves the more we grow to our Eternal Potential. The wonderful thing is that we are never alone as we exert our efforts, we receive the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we diligently strive to fulfill the task at hand, we can exercise our faith to call down this power. D&C 58:28: "For the power in in them, wherefore they are agents unto themselves." We can call down this amazing power and do all things. Now Go ye therefore and teach all nations!! - Matthew 28:19. 
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ~Elder Hutchings