Lesson Recap: November 18

Today we heard from Lisa on the topic of Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others.

Lisa began with quotes from survivors of superstorm Sandy - some that were prepared and some that were not. These are relevant examples of how we have been counseled to be wise stewards of all that we have been given.

How have we been counseled to be wise stewards?

"… This people have been advised to conserve their energies and their means. We have been taught by those whom the Lord has raised up to instruct us that we should live within our income, that we should not follow the fashions of the world and expend as rapidly and even more rapidly than we can earn the money that comes into our hands, to take care of ourselves and our families. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

"Some individuals … are disposing of their holdings and spending their money for unnecessary things, and if hard times come, they may find themselves unable to meet their obligations. "(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

 Have been asked to live within our incomes, avoid debt. Are there things in our lives that we are spending more money than we should?

One sister shared that they did things that created experiences for their family rather than just to have more stuff. We have been advised to conserve our energy to serve other people.

'“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!” (D&C 56:16.)

That is what the Lord says of the rich people who refuse to impart of their substance to those who are poor. But he says something just as serious to the poor man who is not doing his best. He says:

“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!” (D&C 56:17.) …

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.” [Exodus 20:17.] … (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)"

Once our own house is in order, how do we care for others?

How do we develop when we serve others in needs? Why does God ask us to serve and to earn our living rather than just giving it to us?

We begin to understand the Atonement more, by requiring us to rely on the Spirit more. Sometimes when we go through experiences ourselves we can better help others. We become more like our Savior. If we want to become like our Father in Heaven we have to learn to be generous.

 "If you have paid an honest tithing, I may say without hesitation the other nine-tenths has been a greater blessing to those who have paid than the one hundred percent has been to those who have not. It is the Lord’s work. … Men could not have done this. With all your generosity and all your giving, all your missionary work, with your care of the poor, … with all that you have been giving as ordinary people, I testify that what you have left brings to you more happiness, more peace, more comfort and more assurance of eternal life than any other people in the world enjoy today." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 20: Temporal Salvation for Ourselves and Others)

Marian G. Romney (1971) challenged us to increase our generosity. He promised that if we would double our fast offerings or other offerings, that the spirituality would double.

Lisa shared than when we first heard this she acted on it and then her income doubled. Once again she did so and her income doubled, but in reality this is a spiritual promise. Catherine shared that she worried about having enough energy to serve as President and as a mother. Se has felt the compensatory blessings with increased peace in her home.

Mother Teresa said,  “Mother, I have been touching the body of Christ for three hours.”  “How? What did you do?” Mother Teresa asked her. “When I arrived there,” the novice replied, “they brought in a man who had fallen into a drain, and been there for some time. He was covered with dirt and had several wounds. I washed him and cleaned his wounds. As I did so I knew I was touching the body of Christ.”