Jun
9
LDS = Politically Dormant or are we just not listening?
Filed Under Atonement, Debt, Ezra Taft Benson, Faith, Food Storage, Government, Joseph Smith Jr., Preparedness, Prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, Teachings, Topics | 7 Comments
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I know the title is a little bit of a generalization, and it’s probably due to my own lack of finding out, but I still wanted to talk about it.
With the Presidential elections coming up, political climates, and after listening to a few older talks by General Authorities and past Church Presidents, the question arises.
You listen to talks given by Ezra Taft Benson, and realize rather quickly that he had some very poignant words about the proper role of government 1, the divinity of the constitution 2, and various other quotes 3, that there was a different climate in the church.
What happened?
I sometimes lament to my wife that our church has taken a less active role in being proactive in politics. My wife of course who is the smarter of us explained that maybe it has to do with a bigger problem in our church.
By this I mean a listening problem. What were we told 50 years ago about food storage, 30 years ago, 10 years ago? I don’t know either, I would hazard a guess that it started at something like storing as much as possible, then worked it way down to 1 year of food, fuel, essentials to the current level of basically just get something stored, a 72 kit and like 1 month of food storage.
Do you know in the 70’s, Spencer W. Kimball said:
Recognizing that the family is the basic unit of both the Church and society generally, we call upon Latter-day Saints everywhere to strengthen and beautify the home with renewed effort in these specific areas: food production, preservation, storage; the production and storage of nonfood items; fixup and cleanup of homes and surroundings. We wish to say another word about this in the next meeting.
We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.4
I was listening to a statement on NPR the other week that talked about how much can be saved by just growing tomatoes and other small vegetables over buying them from the store in the course of a year. It said that the average savings was ~$1500. That goes a long way in helping to reduce debt too. But don’t get thinking this was for home owners with large yards, if I remember correctly the woman they interviewed lived in a town home or apartment.
But why have we reached such a low level of storage? I’m sure some of it has to do with smaller living spaces, but I also think as a church, people just aren’t listening, and this is exactly what they [The Church] was running into in the 70’s. Quoting from the same talk by Spencer W. Kimball:
As I listened to their addresses, I kept thinking over and over of something the Savior said,“Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It rolled over and over and over in my mind: “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” [Luke 6:46] 5
So why am I going in such a large circle to explain a point of political dormancy? Well it’s to put it into context. Why do our Prophets and General Authorities continually going over the same principles every conference?
Do we listen?
But back to politics.
I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose[D&C 101:80].
It would seem to me, that the Constitution is a rather important document to our church. I can’t find the article I read that explained the LDS church and the Constitution being intimately connected but suffice it to say - if it [The Constitution] fails the LDS church fails.
But knowing that the Lord brought about the Constitution, why aren’t we as members doing more to uphold it, to stand behind it, to defend it?
Are we caught up in the idea that a member will save it when it hangs by a thread therefore we don’t need to do anything? Are we content in just letting someone else do something to fix it (and how well is that working?)? Are we just too complacent?
I can’t answer the question wholly, and trust me I understand how hard it is to know what to do. But I think there are some basics we can do to start with.
Get to know the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. All three of these documents are the foundation of our country. Teach them to your children, right along with learning the Articles of Faith, help to them to understand our rights and freedoms. I feel the more you know, the more likely you are to take offense when they are violated.
Take some time to listen or read some of the older talks. Especially “The Proper Role of Government” by Ezra Taft Benson. He offers a lot of great talks that are politically charged. There are also some talks given by Cleon Skousen that are part of this subject too.
I’ll leave with one last thing…
Children should learn to work. Parents should not spend their nights and days trying to find something to interest their children. They should find something to occupy them and get them busy doing something that is worthwhile.6
- The Proper Role of Government - Ezra Taft Benson ↩
- Our Divine Constitution - Ezra Taft Benson ↩
- Various Quotes ↩
- Family Preparedness - Spencer W. Kimbal ↩
- Family Preparedness - Spencer W. Kimball ↩
- Family Preparedness - Spencer W. Kimball ↩
Jun
3
The growing spiritual void
Filed Under Ensign Articles, Ezra Taft Benson, Magazines, Prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, Spirituality, Teachings | 2 Comments
I haven’t really watched a commercial in years, so it was bound to happen. As I got ready to watch something that was void of commercials, the a/v component that brings my computer files to my TV failed. So I ended up flipping through the channels. That’s when it occurred to me.
Something I’m familiar with, but I’ve since grown away from - or filled. I’ll call it a spiritual void, others may just call it a void or emptiness and some may not even realize they are a victim to it. But it’s effects are all the same. People want to fill it - and that’s where the problem lies.
Before I started writing this I went looking for some subject material and came across an article written for Islam, but it brought up a very good point. It said:
Look to the hard-core sports fan. He spends his life supporting specific teams, financially, physically and emotionally. He attends every game, either in person or vicariously over the TV. He buys the memorabilia. He is devastated when they lose, and he reaches Paradise when they win… Sounds strange. We need to just change the way we look at it. This person is completely preoccupied with sports because his life lacks something else. This is how he has chosen to fill that spiritual vacuum.1
I knew what I had filled my life with before I came back to the Gospel, and it wasn’t sports - but I hadn’t thought enough through it to even make a connection about those who become so fanatical about anything. Don’t get me wrong, having goals and being motivated is good, but this goes beyond that.
Look at the increase of “Reality” shows. What is the main goal of anyone of them? To gain an amount of money, but what is lost?
Each of these shows require people to participate, people to sell their lives for the chance to win money, how empty a person must be to sell their life just for a chance to win money.
How have we gotten here?
It’s occurred to me that there’s been a gradual move towards secularism. By that I mean the removal of anything spiritual from our lives. We were listening to a speech given by Ezra Taft Benson in 1970, title “The American Challenge” 2. In it, you’ll hear about the problems they faced then, which sound a lot like the ones we have today - so the expansion of secularism isn’t something new, it’s been going on for awhile - I would even hazard a guess since day one.
Last night we had a discussion with our children about proper Sunday activities. I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the war and battle games my boys play all day everyday - so I talked to them about what Sunday means.
Spencer W. Kimball stated:
It is a day on which to read good books, a day to contemplate and ponder, … a day to study the scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach the gospel, a day to proselyte, a day to visit quietly with the family and get acquainted with our children, a day for proper courting, a day to do good, a day to drink at the fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of his sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day to climb high on the upward path toward our Heavenly Father 3
This is basically what we decided would be great Sunday activities. But what does this have to do with the rest of the topic?
Well, this is just one thing that can be done to shore up the loss of spirituality in the world. While this doesn’t seem like much, it is a lot. Think if everyone observed the Sabbath in this manner, if all the stores closed, and sports weren’t played. How more spiritual would the world be?
While I know this isn’t the only answer, there are so many other things that have transpired to bring us to this point, but it is something we can change now.
As we talked in our discussion, I admitted my own failings when it comes to Sabbath observence and explained to my children that I would make a concerted effort to raise the bar - “Good Better Best“.
- Filling the Spiritual Void By Shariffa Carlo ↩
- The American Challenge Benson, Ezra Taft ↩
- Teachings, 216 ↩
May
19
Increasing Prayer
Filed Under Gospel, Prayer, Prophets, Spencer W. Kimball | 2 Comments
When I was younger, I hated long prayers. There were certain individuals that I dreaded hearing it would be them praying. That usually meant a long winded prayer full of things I didn’t really care about - I just wanted to get on, whether it be to eat or play something.
As I’ve grown and matured in the gospel, I’ve come to understand the power that prayer can have and what it is there for. While I’ll admit I don’t know it all, I do want to talk about it.
The answer is simple, even if the question is hard. How often should we pray? Why is that a hard question, well it’s given right in the answer.
“Pray always lest that wicked one have power in you…” [D&C 98:49]
In my youth, I found that when I got into trouble it was because I was bored and felt I had nothing to do. At one time it was fire. I can remember distinctly sitting in our family’s basement laundry room messing around with various chemicals and solutions that were stored there. I decided it would be fun to see how they would effect a fire. So I lit a paper bag on fire and began to add those chemicals and solutions. In no time, I had a bit of a problem, the fire got out of my control. Luckily, I was able to put it out and clean up the mess, but it illustrates what can happen. Spencer W. Kimball said “I have observed that sin generally comes when communication lines are down.” 1
Luckily I have done a lot of growing since those days, and have learned that my best bet is to try and keep my communication lines open.
Increasing your prayers is the best way to do this.
Now that I have a family, it becomes even more important. It’s such a blessing to see my young children wanting to pray. I feel that it is very important to have a family that prays together.
Nephi said “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.” [Nephi 18:21]
As a parent, I want to ensure my family is blessed, that they are watched over during the time I’m not at home. I know it can be a struggle on occasion to include them in prayer, but giving in or not praying is not the answer.
I’ve been very proud of our children, I’ve gone through the rounds of getting them ready for bed and have come across them praying on their own, in their rooms thinking no one was looking. I can see that our consistent commitment to prayer has paid off and our children are gaining an understanding of prayer. They have even explained to us, how they have used prayer to help locate various items they think are lost or how it has helped them to overcome a frightening or scary experience.
Family prayer is also a great way to help children gain a firmer foundation in the gospel, by they’re own experiences with prayer. What better way to help them gird up their loins against the increasing influence of Satan.
As the title suggests, by increasing our prayers, we can accomplish so much in the world. We must remember though, in all things, our thanks belong to God. [D&C 59:7]. Prayer isn’t only about asking, but it also about thanking. Expressing our gratitude for all the blessings we do have. This is another practice we have implemented in our family prayers, and one that should be included in each of our personal prayers. Even though there are times when I get caught up in what I don’t have, I try to remember all the things I do have.
I have gained a testimony of prayer through the continual use and practice. There have been times when I have had important decisions to make and needed the guidance of the Lord. There have also been moments when I have needed express help due to an emergency or other threatening situation.
There is so much to gain from praying with nothing to lose. It’s such a win win situation. By merely speaking to our Father we can travel the right path and find comfort.
- First Presidency Message - Pray Always ↩
May
13
Debt, it’s crushing force
Filed Under Debt, Faith, Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, Talks | 1 Comment
In an effort to heed the Prophet’s counsel, we’ve [my house] have been trying to pay off our debts as fast as possible. It’s tough, we allowed ourselves to get a bit over our heads. But we are making progress, and it is tough.
In October 1998 conference, Gordon B. Hinckley suggested “that the time has come to get our houses in order”. Prophetic to say the least, look at the country now (and the world). Financial woes abound, uncertainy prevelant.
I was looking at a graph, and it shows a pretty good increase since 1980 in the number of bankruptcies. I know you could say there’s an increase in numbers of people, and what about the drop at the end (they changed the laws), but look at the bigger picture there, the yellow mark - that indicates the percent paid towards debt. Bankrupt or not, more money is being paid to debt each year.
The article that I am quoting from [Climbing Out of Debt] gives some very good steps, that my family is now trying to implement. So let’s go over them!
1 Paying an honest tithing. Each month we always pay our tithing first. If we are to get out of debt, we really do need the Lord to “open … the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
Often our financial efforts are hampered by misfortune that devours our resources, such as unexpected car and household repairs, illness, and so forth. The Lord promises that He “will rebuke the devourer for [our] sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of [our] ground” (Mal. 3:11). When we pay our tithes, the Lord can bless us so that our unexpected challenges are minimized and so that we are better able to manage the resources we have.
I’m not sure how LDS members miss this one, I can testify that my family would have been in dire straights numerous times if we weren’t paying our tithing. I have a great testimony in this because of those miracles. There have been veryt spectacular times where we needed money in an emergency and all the sudden the money is there to use!
2 Paying a generous fast offering. When I was in college, President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught that the Lord would bless Church members if they were able to double their fast offerings. We thus made it a point, even while students, to pay more than the cost of our meals as a fast offering. As our means have increased, we have increased our offerings, and the Lord has abundantly blessed us.
We try to add extra into Fast Offerings each month, though I think we can spare more to add to this for us, but again - what I have isn’t mine. My earning potential, the pay I do earn, these things all came from the Lord!
3 Giving time, talent, and energy toward building the kingdom of God. We have learned that when we are busy in the Lord’s work, losing ourselves in serving others, we have less time to worry about the things we don’t have. Material possessions are seen in the proper perspective.
For example, service greatly minimizes the time we spend watching television, thus limiting the advertisements or shows we view that would make us feel bad about the material things we don’t have. Decreasing our wants makes it easier to avoid debt.
I’ll admit, I can get a bit gruff about helping others. But in my house, we’re always either doing a project around our house or with one our extended families houses. By the end of the day though, I’ll always admit at how good I feel about what I accomplished for our family or someone else’s.
4 Following principles of self-reliance. Producing food in our garden and striving to purchase on-sale items for food storage have allowed us to save greatly on food expenses. This has not only helped us to be more self-reliant, but also allowed us to apply the money we saved toward debt elimination.
PROPHETIC, say it with me. Look around, look at what’s happening. I know, you can’t always grow everything you need in a garden, but we have a small yard and have managed to get a nice little garden box in. We grow beans, peas, spinach, tomatoes, etc to help off set some costs. We also try to use the coupons and base our meals in accordance to what’s on sale.
But I also think there is more here then just food and coupons, self reliance is also good around the home, home repairs, etc. What can you fix on your own that can save you money? We’re putting in a small concrete pad next to our single width driveway (winter parking nightmare) but we’re doing everything but mixing the concrete ourselves, there by saving hundreds of dollars. I’m learning what I can from my father in law on home repairs and DYI things around the house too.
5 Cultivating gratitude. Reflecting on the multitude of blessings we enjoy and thanking Heavenly Father for them allows us to focus on that which we have rather than on that which we have not. Recognizing all the blessings we have reduces the desire to acquire material possessions.—Robert and Mary Merrill, East Wenatchee First Ward, Wenatchee Washington Stake.
We try to stick to a template for our family prayers - 10 things we’re grateful for. Like I said before, what I have isn’t mine, the Lord provided and the gratitude belongs to him! We’re still working on the material wants, but we make progress. I’m trying to help my oldest understand that the things he wants, he won’t want in a few years (or months). Currently he is into bionicles, but I’m trying to help him understand that his money might be better spent on a tool [leatherman] instead which would last longer and be more useful in the long run.
This isn’t a burden too great for anyone to overcome. In our house we’ve incorporated fasting to help us to know how to live within our means and guidance on methods to do so. We’ve made progress, and we have the Lord to thank for it.