After 4 months, what could go wrong?

Okay, seriously.  After all that waiting, we come down to departure and we have:

1)  Blizzard in SLC.
2)  Storm warning in the Northeast.
3)  Subway strike starting in London the day we land.
4)  Riots in Delhi.

Well, it will all turn out.  Provided we can get off the ground here tonight.

Cycling

Last night Dave said he was going to go to the gym at 5:30 this morning for a cycle class.  I woke up this morning about 6:45 and noticed he wasn't in bed.  This is our conversation via text:

Did you leave?

No.

What are you doing?

Using the potty.

If we had an elliptical, you could do that at home.

I just realized why he thought I was crazy.  ROFL!! 

Bringing up children in light and truth George Albert Smith #22

Our lesson today is: Bringing  Up Children in Light and Truth.  The Lord has given parents the responsibility to teach their children the gospel by word and example.

As I read over the lesson, two things came to mind.  First, it reminded me a lot of the proclamation on the family, first presented in a talk entitled Stand Strong Against the Wiles of the World, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, Sept. 1997.  I will be referencing that talk in the lesson.  Second, I was reminded again, how imperfect and inadequate I am.  Believe me, I have this calling, not because I am the most qualified, but because I am the least.

In this lesson GAS outlines 5 principles regarding our responsibilities.

First, Parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children the gospel.

In the proclamation on the family, we read:

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

In Mosiah 4:14-15, King Benjamin taught:

And ye will not suffer your ^achildren that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye ^bsuffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and ^cquarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the ^devil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.

 But ye will ^ateach them to ^bwalk in the ways of truth and ^csoberness; ye will teach them to ^dlove one another, and to serve one another

(Quote 1)

President George Albert Smith proclaimed:

One of the greatest and richest of all your blessings will be that which comes if you teach as you should, and train as you should these choice spirits that our Heavenly Father is sending to the world in this latter day. … Do not leave the training of your children to the public schools. Do not leave their training to the Primary, to the Sunday School, to the [Church’s youth organizations]. They will help you and make a fine contribution but remember what God himself has said, that parents who do not teach their children faith in God, repentance and baptism and the laying on of hands when eight years of age, the sin be upon the heads of the parents [see D&C 68:25–28]. This is not a threat, my brethren and sisters, that is the kind and loving advice of our Heavenly Father who knows all things and understands and realizes what it means when children are allowed to grow up without this training. 

Like all commandments, rather than a threat, it is a great promise.  President Hinckley affirmed:

The more surely you rear your children in the ways of the gospel of Jesus Christ, with love and high expectation, the more likely that there will be peace in their lives.

Why do you think the Lord has given parents, rather than other organizations, the responsibility to teach their family the gospel.

2.  Other interests must not cause us to lose sight of our duty to teach our children.

President Smith counseled:

We are told in Luke that there would be a time when men would be choked with the cares and the riches and the pleasures of life [see Luke 8:14]. I have in my mind … even now, men and women that I love, whose very spirituality is being choked by these very things, and the adversary is leading them along that easy pathway of pleasure and they are neglecting their duty as parents and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

The proclamation on the family further clarifies this principle, when it teaches:

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.

Although today the world scorns the role of mothers, we must never forget this truth, taught by George Albert Smith:

It is the home, which produces the nursery stock of new generations. I hope that you mothers will realize that when all is said and done, you have no more compelling responsibility, nor any laden with greater rewards, than the nurture you give your children in an environment of security, peace, companionship, love, and motivation to grow and do well.

Sister Hinckley was always so cute and positive.  I love what she said:

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

I have a story from the manual.  It is really long, but worthwhile:

Have someone tell story.

When I read this story, I was reminded of an incident that happened a few weeks ago with Keaton.  One Saturday, we sent him to go to the temple to do baptisms.  He was gone for a longer time than we expected, but when he returned, he said that it was just really busy.  Later on the next week, I realized that the temple was closed!  When I confronted Keaton about it, he said when he saw the temple was closed, he’d just gone out to breakfast.  At first, I was really mad, but then I remembered that Keaton has always told us he likes going to the temple, but he doesn’t like going by himself.  He wants to go with his dad.  So, the problem was really ours, not Keaton’s.

In the book 25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them, one of the mistakes is not being there at the Crossroads of our kids lives. 

What does it mean to be at the Crossroads, and how can we make sure we are there?

3.  A parent’s example can lead a child to safety, righteousness, and happiness.

President Smith said:

Let us be examples of righteousness to our children, have our family prayers and ask the blessing upon the food. Let our children see that as husbands and wives we are affectionate with one another. While there is yet time take the opportunity as husbands and wives to bless each other with your love, with your kindness and your helpfulness in every way. Take opportunity while there is yet time to teach your sons and daughters how to live to be happy. … Let our homes be sanctuaries of peace and hope and love.

President Smith said the following about his own parents:

(Quote 2)

“I don’t know of any man in all the world who has more reason to be grateful than I. I am thankful for my birthright, thankful for parents who taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and set the example in their home. If I have done anything that I should not have done in my life, it would be something that I could not have learned in my mother’s home.

He then relates this story:

Only a few days ago I saw a letter from a man who had probably lived half his life. In writing to his father he said: “Your consideration for your loved ones, your teaching of me, the examples that you set me, have been an inspiration for me to do what the Lord would have me do. I have felt in following in your footsteps I would be safe.”

When kids are little, they love to wear their parents’ shoes.  You probably all remember your kids tromping around in some oversized shoes.  My kids have mostly outgrown that, but sometimes Makenzie still likes to try to walk around in a pair of high heels.  I have a lot of different shoes.  They serve a variety of purposes.  Some are just pretty or fun.  My favorite shoes, which I wear whenever it is warm enough, are my sandals.  They remind me of Jesus’ shoes.  I want to follow his footsteps, so that when my children follow mine, they follow his as well.

Lately, I’ve been trying to have more fun, individual activities with each of my children.  Several weeks ago, I decided to take Makenzie up to the last week of the Farmer’s Market in Salt Lake City.  I went to the bank and withdrew some money to have cash to buy produce with.  Soon after we arrived, I noticed a man approaching me.  With the duffle bag, they sleeping bag and they smell, I could tell he was homeless, and that he was going to ask me for money. 

A number of thoughts crossed my mind.  First, I know that the SLC official policy is to not give money to the homeless, but rather to give to the soup kitchen and homeless shelters.  This is a good policy—at these places the homeless can get help beyond a handout. 

However, I also thought of these words of King Benjamin in Mosiah 4 (16-19)

 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.

 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—

 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.

Even more than that, however, I knew that there was a little girl standing beside me, with her eyes were pinned on me to see what I would do.  I also knew that she would remember!!  I determined that I would give this man anything he asked of me.  When Andy approached me, I greeted him as a friend.  I listened as he recounted his many hardships.  He asked me for money for a meal and a hotel to shower, which I gave him.  I told him that God loved him, and watches over him.  He replied that he knew God watched over him—just that morning he had awoken in the parking garage where he lived, to find someone had left him that nice thick sleeping bag, a new parka and shirt, and a thick carpet to sleep on.  I hugged him good-bye, as did Makenzie.  As we walked away, I could see stars shining in her eyes.

President Smith said:

Let us bear witness in our daily acts, as well as in our conversation, that we believe this is the Father’s work and joy inexpressible will come to us, and the children that grow up in our homes will increase in faith and humility. They will be added upon, and be given power to turn aside the shafts of the adversary that are directed towards them, and in place of the distress that has afflicted the children of men, because of sinfulness, there will be comfort, peace and happiness, and … men and women will inhabit this earth who will have strength of character to put aside the evils of life.

What are some daily acts that bear particularly strong witness of our beliefs to our children?

One thing that I have found is that many of the good things I do, my children don’t necessarily see.  Paying tithing, reading my scriptures, are things that can be invisible to them.  I realized that what my kids mostly see is probably me on the computer, me being frustrated that they don’t do their homework, etc.  I’ve tried to make it a practice to make the best things more visible, such as leaving my scriptures lying open on the couch, or praying so that they can hear me.

Sometimes McKay still comes in and sleeps on our couch.  When he comes in, I’ve made a practice of always praying out loud, because he listens, then he will immediately pray himself. 

I’ve also started to pray more for people I know who are going through hard times.  When I pray for them, it makes me more grateful for all the blessings I have been given.  I also tell my children about whom I am praying for, and invite them to remember those people in their prayers.  One of my friends has a daughter, Kilee Krause, who was in a terrible accident and has been in a coma.  Makenzie asked that we dedicate our fast last week to her.  So, just by being more open and vocal about good things we are doing, it will be noticed by our children.

President Hinckley gave the following simple advice:

Set an example for them. That will mean more than all the teaching you can give them.

4.  By loving and teaching our youth, we can help safeguard them from evil.

President Hinckley taught:

My brethren and sisters, I plead with you that with more earnestness, with more thoughtfulness, more patience than ever before, you safeguard the rising generation from the pitfalls that the adversary has laid for their feet. Many of our [movies], radio programs, magazines, books, etc., are unfit … , and unless we neutralize the influence of these things by wholesome teaching and environment, bringing to the youth the benefits derived from knowing the lives of good men and women, teaching them the virtues of the prophets and the meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, some of those whom we love may slip away from us. …

The Proclamation on the Family teaches:

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

President Hinckley reminded us:

Let us teach our children to be pure in their lives, to be upright. Teach your boys to safeguard the virtue of their sisters and their girl companions. Teach your daughters to safeguard the virtue of the boys they associate with. … Let us major, if we may use that term, in rearing our boys and girls under the influence of the Spirit of God, that the adversary will have no power to lead them astray.

How can we, with the influences around us, safeguard the virtue of our youth?

5.  Studying the gospel as a family will help us keep our children close to us.

Moroni 6:5 teaches:

And the ^achurch did meet together ^boft, to ^cfast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

This counsel can also apply to our families. 

Quote 3  President Smith counseled:

“In our homes, brethren and sisters, it is our privilege, it is our duty, to call our families together to enjoy and strengthen and sustain each other, to be taught the truths of the Holy Scriptures. In every home, children should be encouraged to read the word of the Lord as it has been revealed to us in all dispensations. We should read the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price; not only read it in our homes, but also explain it to our children that they may understand the … dealings of God with the peoples of the earth.  Let us see if we cannot do more of this in the future than we have done in the past. Let us commit ourselves to the principle and the practice of gathering our families around us in our own homes. Let each one of us ask himself: “Have I done my duty in my home in reading and in teaching the gospel, as it has been revealed through the prophets of the Lord? Have I kept my children close to me and made home a pleasant place and a place of reverence, love, understanding, and devotion?”  Our children are the most precious gift that our Father bestows upon us. If we can guide their feet in the pathway of salvation, there will be joy eternal for us and for them. …”

Moroni 6:4

…that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually ^dwatchful unto prayer, ^erelying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

Last spring, I was doing some long runs preparing for a marathon.  Usually, I would run down from my house, down Canyon Crest, up to the mouth of the canyon, turn and go up the hill to Cedar Hills, and down the canyon road.  One Saturday, as I neared the intersection of the highway, I was thinking I was tired, and I should just run straight to the temple and avoid the hills.  I decided to stick to the original plan, and went up the hill as usual.  When I got to the top of the hill, I was exhausted, and struggling.  To my surprise, my husband pulled up with a water bottle full of his special energy drink.  To have that nourishment at that moment, unexpected, was such a boost.  As I started off again, I realized that if I had changed my route, I would have missed Dave, and not gotten the nourishment.

Proverbs 4:25-27 says:

 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.“

When we gather our children daily for scripture study, we keep them on that path, and provide the nourishment they need.

Speaking specifically about family home evening, President Smith reminds us of these promises:

“If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.  These principles and promises are still before us.”

Close with this final counsel from President Smith:

… Now in the midst of confusion, excitement and all the pleasures of life, … let us not lose sight of the duty that we owe these boys and girls who are created in the image of God. He is the Father of their spirits, and he will hold us responsible for the teaching that they receive. I hope and pray that we will so teach them that when the end shall come we can receive from him that blessing, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord,” and that we may have our loved ones with us eternally.

Carson

I've often wondered if all my kids have ADHD, and if so, whether it is real ADHD or environmental (ie caused by me).  Whatever the case, about 6 weeks ago, I finally pulled Carson out of school to homeschool.  It was a hard decision, but he just wasn't learning, and his grades reflected that.

It's been going pretty good, although he'd really like to be in school.  The problem is, he sees school as a big 7 hour long social hour, which really isn't the point of school.

Yesterday morning was a frustrating one for me.  Carson was on his chair, off his chair, kneeling, backwards.  His body is in constant motion, and this morning was particularly bad.  I kept telling him to sit still, etc., but he was just all over the place.

I was getting pretty aggravated with him, when it hit me--if it is hard for me to watch Carson's wiggles, it must be sooo hard to BE Carson.  I don't know why, but his body/mind is just so constantly agitated. Everything must take so much effort for him, especially school, or anything else that requires focus.  I just felt so much compassion for him.  No wonder he does so poorly in school.  It takes so much work to try to sit still, it must just wear him out.

Well, I've tried meds before, and they didn't work, but I'm going to talk to a doctor again.  Poor little guy.

4 Weeks and Waiting

It seems like it has been forever, but we're down to only 4 weeks left until we leave on our trip!  That also means it is only 4 weeks until Christmas.  Are YOU ready?  Even with all time we've had to wait before our trip, I'm afraid it is going to be a mad rush at the end.  What do we have ready?  Passpors, check.  Visa, check.  Airline tickets, check.  Hotel reservations, check.  Oops, not for Taiwan or Korea yet.  Immunizations, check.  No, wait, Dave doesn't have his.  Malaria prescriptions, check.  No, wait, Dave was supposed to pick those up when he got his immunizations.  Prescription sleeping pills, check.  No, wait, I have mine, but Dave doesn't have his.  Ahem, Dave?

Dave does have his P-cubed (pick pocket proof) pants, though.  Hidden pockets with kevlar lining.  Uh-huh. And, so cute, too.

Okay, I also have to get an Epi-pen for Makenzie.  Hey, it isn't too bad having a deathly allergy to cashews, since they aren't really used in everyday foods.  In the United States, that is.  In India, they are used in many things, so we're going to have to be very watchful.  Even with the Epi-pen on hand, we don't want to have to use it, because after you use it, you are supposed to go to the emergency room.  We do NOT want to end up in a hospital in India.

We don't want to end up sick, either, so my plan is to eat bread and drink soda from a can for 2 weeks.  Hey, I'm not missing the Taj Mahal because I'm sick.  I don't want to waste any of our service time sick either.  Okay, so we need plenty of Imodium, too.

Next, we are changing planes SO many times--10 TIMES!!--over the course of the trip, and we will for sure lose our checked luggage, so we are planning to take as much carry on as possible.  Okay, we're packing for a 3 week trip, to two distinct climates.  Are we crazy to hope to take a carry on a piece, plus only one checked bag?  We have to take the one checked, because we have to take over a bunch of supplies (such as peanut butter) to the charity.  We don't have enough carry-ons, so we will have to buy some.

As far as hotels go-I don't know how families travel outside the US, because there is no such thing as a "family suite" anywhere we are going.  It is 2 people per room.  Divide that by 6 and your accommodations add up real quick.  We almost always find a place for 6 in a room in the US.  And who wants their nine year olds sleeping in a room by themselves?

So, we still have quite a few things to do, and 26 days to get it done!! The main three things I need to figure out?  Not losing our stuff or our kids, not getting sick, not being too tired.  I'm afraid those are the three I have the least control over, too.

George Albert Smith #20 Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others

I had been looking forward to teaching this lesson for along time.  Temporal Salvation is a great topic.  However, as I actually sat down and read over the material, I could feel myself getting grouchy eyebrows.  I thought, I can’t teach with grouchy eyebrows!  They won ‘t look good with my outfit. 

Even more importantly, though, as I was feeling stirred up about certain topics in the lesson, I couldn’t focus or feel the spirit as I prepared.  Who scheduled this during the election week, anyway? 

The election has left a lot of people with high emotions.  In this lesson, it is never my intention to offend anyone—and if I make a political reference, I speak not of individuals, but of pervasive, long-term issues.  I imagine that for you, like me, much of the stress around the election comes from prophecies about the last days, and about this land in particular. 

In his talk, Hope You Know We Had a Hard Time, Elder Cook stated:

“In numerous places in the Book of Mormon, the people were promised that they would prosper in the land if they would keep the commandments.  This promise is often accompanied by the warning that if they do not keep the commandments of God, they shall be cut off from His presence.  Clearly, having the blessings of the Spirit—the ministration of the Holy Ghost—is an essential element to truly prosper in the land and to be prepared.”

Similarly, in his conference talk Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy, Elder Hales said,

“We are living through turbulent times. A great storm of evil has come upon the earth. The winds of wickedness howl about us; the waves of war beat against our ship. As Paul wrote to Timothy: “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, … Having a form of godliness; but denying the power thereof.

As we look into the eyes of our children and grandchildren, we see the doubt and fear of our times. Wherever these precious ones go in the world, they hear about unemployment, poverty, war, immorality, and crime. They wonder, “How can we cope with these problems?””

I know my children were very aware of this election, as were their peers at school.  From what I hear, I think those students whose parents voted in the minority had a bit of a rough time for a few days.  I know there was a lot of stress in our house on Election Day.  My little McKay sobbed himself to sleep, pausing only long enough to say, “Well, at least dad has guns!”

President Hales continues,

“To find answers, they look back into our eyes and listen to our words. Do they hear us speaking faithfully and hopefully, despite the tribulations of our times?

They need to see us continuing to pray and study the scriptures together, to hold family home evening and family councils, to serve faithfully in our Church callings, to attend the temple regularly, and to be obedient to our covenants. When they see our steadfastness in keeping the commandments, their fears will subside and their confidence in the Lord will increase.

By showing our faith through tribulation, we assure them that the fury of the adversary is not fatal. Jesus prayed to His Father on our behalf: “Not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” That prayer will be answered in Heavenly Father’s time and season, according to our faith.”

Elder Hales also said,

“It is true that ominous clouds gather around us, but just as the Savior’s words brought peace to the Apostles in the boat, they bring peace to us today: “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.”  “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.””

There are so many topics we could cover—avoiding debt, saving, food storage, guarding our resources, growing food, etc.  I can’t cover everything I would like, so I will summarize these topics by saying, “if we are wise with our means, we will be prepared for hard times.”

 President GAS said:

“We may have hard times, brothers and sisters, but we can be prepared for them, if we think of the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine in the days of Pharaoh and plan as they did.  Such conditions may come again. We do not know, but we do know that in the early days of the Church the Presidency and leadership of the Church advised the people to store sufficient food to meet an emergency. The result has been that since the people got thoroughly settled here and farms began producing, and herds and flocks increasing, there has been no real necessity for anybody to suffer for food.”

What a great promise.  I would be surprised if any of us here has truly known hunger.  To hear my son, McKay, on Fast Sunday, you would think he hadn’t eaten for weeks.  When told we are fasting, he shrieks, “But I’m absolutely starving.”  I’m thinking, “but we just started fasting an hour ago.”  One of my friends posted a video called “First World Problems”.  It shows one person collapsing in despair because they bought too many groceries and they have to make two trips, and another lambasting Apple for the burden of having to buy yet another version of iPhone.  So, for us, I believe a lot of our temporal welfare is about perspective.

And yet, we do have uncertainty.  President Smith said:

We are living in perilous times. The scriptures are being fulfilled, and as it appears to me this is the particular time when, if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived. It is remarkable how easy it is for those who desire to advance their financial interests in the world to find a reason for setting aside the plain teachings of the Lord with reference to our lives. And it is strange to me how many people fall into the habit of listening to those who say things that are contrary to the revealed will of our Heavenly Father. …

This statement seems so applicable to today, although it was probably given over 50 years ago.  Today, We live in circumstances with a troubled global economy. Many more people struggle with finances today who didn’t in better times.

Elder Cook said:

The challenges we face today are in their own way comparable to challenges of the past. The recent economic crisis has caused significant concern throughout the world. Employment and financial problems are not unusual. Many people have physical and mental health challenges. Others deal with marital problems or wayward children. Some have lost loved ones. Addictions and inappropriate or harmful propensities cause heartache. Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them.

Our challenge is in how we meet these troubled times.

“In the early 1930’s, Elder Smith, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed the Relief Society during another time of desperate need—the Great Depression. He taught that helping those in need goes beyond providing temporal assistance; it also requires true kindness and charity:”

“There never has been a time, in my judgment, when kindness was needed more than now. These are the days when people’s souls are being tried, and when their hearts are being wrung. These are the days when many are facing hunger and distress even among the Latter-day Saints. …”

“… I believe our Heavenly Father is giving us our opportunity for development. … We will discover now whether the love the Savior said should be in our hearts is among us.”

It is interesting that President Smith considered hard times as an opportunity for development.  Not everyone sees things that way.

A few weeks ago during Ward Conference, Brother Hanks referred to the psychologist Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and asked how we can increase our spirituality when, in this economy, we may be struggling to meet our basic needs.  I’ve thought about that since then, and came to the conclusion that Maslow is coming from an entirely temporal mindset.  For those with a spiritual mindset, this hierarchy can, in some ways, essentially be set on its head. 

For example, in Indian religions, those who are seeking enlightenment forgo basically all of the needs on Maslow’s list, living in caves, subsisting on little food, and sometimes not even speaking for years.

Likewise, Elder Hales details in his talk how Christ, throughout his life, and especially in the last week, endured terrible deprivations, humiliation and agony.  And yet, this was also the pinnacle of his spiritual service, testifying, healing, and intense prayer. 

Elder Hales says, “In His darkest hour, the light of peace and joy did not fade.  It grew brighter.”

From these teachings, we can see that we need not fear, and also that we can faith during hard times.

In his talk, Elder Hales recounts the story of the Brother of Jared, as he took the initiative to prepare stones to light the ships prior to crossing the sea.

He teaches,

“As parents and leaders, we must remember that “it is not meet that [the Lord] should command in all things.”  Like the brother of Jared, we must carefully consider the needs of our family members, make a plan to meet those needs, and then take our plan to the Lord in prayer. This will require faith and effort on our part, but He will help us as we seek His assistance and do His will.

After his experience with the Lord, the brother of Jared continued to diligently prepare himself for the journey ahead.  So too must we hearken to the teachings of our prophets. The living prophets have counseled us time and again to put our lives in order—to eliminate debt, to store food and other essential items, to pay our tithing, to obtain appropriate education, and to live the commandments. Have we obeyed these essential instructions?”

Now we come to that part of the lesson that gets me riled up, so watch out for the grouchy eyebrows. 

The Lord has directed us to work to earn our own livelihood.

I applaud President Erza Taft Benson when he says,

“I bear you my testimony that President Heber J. Grant was inspired of the Lord in establishing the Church Welfare program. The First Presidency was inspired when they made the first public announcement in 1936 and declared the prime purpose of Church welfare was “to help the people help themselves”.”

President Benson goes on to say,

“We encourage you to be more self-reliant so that, as the Lord has declared, “notwithstanding the tribulation which shall descend upon you, … the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world” The Lord wants us to be independent and self-reliant because these will be days of tribulation. He has warned and forewarned us of the eventuality.

President Brigham Young said, “If you are without bread, how much wisdom can you boast, and of what real utility are your talents, if you cannot procure for yourselves and save against a day of scarcity those substances designed to sustain your natural lives?”

Adding to the previous testaments about the doctrine of work and self-reliance, President Smith declared,

“I thank God for work, for the joy that comes from doing things in the world. I am not indicating any particular kind of employment except that it be honorable. But the Lord has indicated that we should be industrious. In ancient times he said that we should earn our living by the sweat of our face.”

And President Benson affirms,

“One of the first principles revealed to father Adam when he was driven out of the Garden of Eden was this: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground” All we obtain in life of a material nature comes as a product of labor and the providence of God. Work alone produces life’s necessities.”

I am a firm believer in the value of work, and yet it is not a value that is held, anymore, by much of America, and indeed the world. Instead, we have a cultural of laziness, and I find it is proving very hard to teach my children to value work. 

President Smith warns,

“The very fact that so much money has been made available to many people gives the youth in some instances the feeling that because money comes relatively easy, honest toil is not necessary or desirable. And yet I am satisfied that no people have ever lived upon the earth who, having failed to earn their livelihood by integrity and industry, have not gone to decay.

If our children grow up in idleness, we know that this is displeasing to the Lord.”

Even though it is an uphill battle, even though the momentum is towards thinking it is okay to let other provide for you, it is essential that we continue to teach the value of work and self-reliance.

President Smith said,

“We must not fall into the bad habits of other people. We must not get into the frame of mind that we will take what the other man has. Refer back to the ten commandments, and you will find one short paragraph, “Thou shalt not covet.” …

We must not get into that frame of mind. Others may do that, but if we have the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our hearts, we will not be deceived in that regard.”

I believe that the true crisis is not with a specific president, but that the government and the people HAVE been deceived in that regard, increasingly over a long downward spiral. 

Just so that there is no question about what the Lord expects, let me again quote President Smith,

“Our Heavenly Father … said long, long ago there were idlers in Zion, … and he said, “He that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.” I am assuming that he did not mean those who cannot find employment, and who are legitimately trying to take care of themselves. I am assuming that he referred to the habit some people get into of leaning upon their neighbor. … I feel that there has been no justification given to any man in this world to feel that he can depend on somebody else to provide him a livelihood. I did not feel when I was a child that somebody would be compelled to provide me a means of living. The Lord gave me intelligence. He directed that I should work, and I began to work when I was twelve years of age, and I found joy in it, and have earned my living and helped others during more than fifty years.”

And President Benson:

“More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstances. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared. For this reason the Brethren have repeatedly stressed a “back to basics” program for temporal and spiritual welfare.

Unfortunately, there has been fostered in the minds of some an expectation that when we experience hard times, when we have been unwise and extravagant with our resources and have lived beyond our means, we should look to either the Church or government to bail us out. Forgotten by some of our members is an underlying principle of the Church welfare plan that “no true Latter-day Saint will, while physically able, voluntarily shift from himself the burden of his own support”

Clearly, God expects us to work to provide for ourselves.  Why?  What happens to us when we feel like it is someone else’s obligation to solve our problems or bail us out?

·      Such attitudes bring on resentment of others, which chases the spirit away.

o   President Smith taught, “I hope we are not going to become bitter because some men and women are well-to-do.”

o   Do we see this?  YES! 

·      We give away our personal power, self-esteem and opportunities for personal growth when we expect someone else to solve our problems.

·      We come to feel like we have a right to certain things.

·      Examples

o   Single mom’s expensive dinner with no tip-eating out is a right.

o   Rising Star

§  Complain about saris

§  No handouts

§  Lady with turkey

§  The lepers built a retirement home for the elderly lepers.

In D&C 56:17, the Lord condemns those (the poor, or the idle) who covet the riches of others:

“Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!”

Now we come to the other side of the coin.  In D&C 56:16, he ALSO condemns those (the rich man, or the laborer), who covet or are greedy with THEIR OWN riches:

“Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!

The Lord has made it clear that we are expected to share our substance with those in need. 

3 Nephi 24:8 reads,

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In ^tithes and ^offerings.

On this subject, President Smith taught:

“The Lord has given us the privilege of contributing one-tenth of our interest, for His Church, for the development of His work in the world. Those who pay their tithing receive their blessing. … We cannot expect to earn blessings without earnest effort. We will be required to make what appears to some to be sacrifices. I suppose people think when they pay their tithing that they are making a sacrifice, but they are not; they are making a real investment that will return an eternal dividend. Our Heavenly Father gives us all that we have. He places all in our hands, authorizing us to retain for our own use nine-tenths of it, and then He asks that we put His tenth where He directs, where He knows it will accomplish the most good in developing His Church.”

God loves all of his children.  He desires their welfare and happiness.  Therefore, we know that He has provided sufficiently that, if we are generous with our means, there is no need for anyone to go with out. 

President Smith said,

“There is no necessity for any man, woman, or child in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to go without, for the Church is organized to help those who lack the necessities of life. There is plenty for all, and to spare. … God has permitted men to get wealth, and if they obtained it properly, it is theirs, and he will bless them in its use if they will use it properly.

We are becoming so wrapped up with the world that we forget the people who are suffering that we could help, in many cases.”

Let me leave you with the admonition of President Smith:

Let us … look around us in our neighborhood—not leave it to the Bishop and the Relief Society, but let each of us be ministers of loving kindness to those who will need us so much.  If we will … impart of our substance even though it may be but the widow’s mite, we will obtain from him who lives on high the blessings we need in our day here upon the earth, and when the time comes for us to go hence we will find awaiting us the blessing of a loving Father who has appreciated the efforts we have put forth.