Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ
‘We delight in the agency of others and the opportunity it gives them to grow “line upon line,” “brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”’
Read MoreConsecration
The Purposes of God—Duties and Responsibilities of the Saints
“…the world have generally made great mistakes upon these points. They have started various projects to try to unite and cement the people together without God; but they could not do it. Fourierism, Communism—another branch of the same thing—and many other principles of the same kind …but all these things have failed, and they will fail, because, however philanthropic, humanitarian, benevolent, or cosmopolitan our ideas, it is impossible to produce a true and correct union without the Spirit of the living God…”
United Order—Tithing—Cooperative Labors in Brigham City
“The United Order is not French Communism. It is not required of those who possess the means of living to expend those means among those who know nothing about taking care of and preserving them. But let no man be oppressed and placed in circumstances where he cannot reach forth and help himself.”
Providing in the Lord’s Way
‘…the Lord’s way of caring for the needy is different from the world’s way. The Lord has said, “It must needs be done in mine own way.” …As many prophets have instructed us over the years, the welfare principles of the Church are not simply good ideas; they are revealed truths from God—they are His way of helping the needy.’
Joseph Smith’s Feelings about His Prophetic Mission
“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them…will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law…I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen.”
Fathers
Breadwinning is a consecrated activity. “Work and family are overlapping domains.” …This, of course, does not justify a man who neglects his family for his career or, at the other extreme, one who will not exert himself and is content to shift his responsibility to others. …We recognize the agony of men who are unable to find ways and means adequately to sustain their families. There is no shame for those who, at a given moment, despite their best efforts, cannot fulfill all the duties and functions of fathers. “Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.”
Refuge from the Storm
“…we should not…expect our leaders to organize projects for us. But as youth, men, women, and families, we can join in this great humanitarian endeavor.”
These Noble Pioneers
“Nothing happens in this world until there is work… What a dismal station we have reached in this nation where we have borrowed and spent and failed to repay. At the close of 1994, every man, woman, and child in the United States owed as his or her part of the national debt $17,805.64. Think of it. It is a disgrace. It affects all of our monetary policies and all of our commerce. It burdens us with taxes from which there is little or no relief.”
D&C 56:14-20 – Help The Poor And Don’t Steal
“Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; …Wo unto you poor men…whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods…who will not labor with your own hands!”
Socialism and the United Order Compared
…I pray…That we will develop the understanding, the desire, and the courage, born of the Spirit, to eschew socialism and to support and sustain, in the manner revealed and as interpreted by the Lord, those just and holy principles embodied in the Constitution of the United States for the protection of all flesh, in the exercise of their God-given agency.