The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints179th Annual General Conference was replete with messages of hope and endurance through our trials, but underlying these central messages was an admonition to us all: prudence. More specifically, I would like to center my comments in conjunction with the messages given to us by Elder Robert D. Hales and Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Elder Hales’ message was one riddled with the reproach to avoid excess, and Elder Oaks pleaded with the Saints to extend service.
Throughout the semester, we have discussed the concept of stewardship. We have established the fact that God never intended us, His children, to do whatever we want with anything we can get our hands on. In truth, God has given us the responsibility, much like that of men and the priesthood, to take care of all things within our circle of influence and this includes the land that we live on, the people we interact with, and the other various forms of life. I personally do not think that the truths we learn in the temple being centered on the Creation is happenstantial. There is something centrally important in this setting: things that hold eternal significance and truth never change and never will. This teaching can be applied to the LDS perspective of avoiding excess. Like Elder Hales said, excess can be in the areas of food, debt, and addictions. When we choose to let ourselves focus on satiating or gorging the natural man, we are essentially trading in a portion of our agency for these items- we are exchanging our own divine worth, how sad. This can be, and should be applied to how we treat the wonderful earth God has provided for us to live on. It is in this frame of mind that I now ask myself and others to think about this: “Do I magnify my existence by giving more than I take from the earth, or do I chose to trade in my time and talents for things which have no eternal value and take away the chance for others to enjoy the necessities I enjoy?” The earth is not only our mortal, temporal home but it is also our eternal destination- we need to care.
In the spirit of Elder Oaks talk, I now turn to the cause of our wasteful and excessive sickness of consumption- entitlement and lack of service. Entitlement presupposes that whatever that “right” is that we are entitled to is owed to us regardless of what we have done or don’t do to “deserve” it. Something does not come from nothing. It is in the prideful supposition of entitlement that people ravage the earth in search of shiny things and supporting excessive diets. Service is the cure. When we spend time serving others we are able to more appropriately view our own current circumstances, to see how blessed we truly are and to be grateful. Our gratitude enables us to find joy in our daily lives and we tend to turn less to satiating exhorbant wants of the natural man that may deplete our beautiful home.
I have a long way to go, and I know that nothing will happen unless I start today and continually try to improve each and every day after that. We all make a difference, and in the end it is all that we do that determines not only who we are, but where we will be- I want to stay with the earth.
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I really appreciated this post. I thought it was a beautiful application of how to use the revelation we receive to better not only ourselves, but also the world around us.
ReplyDeleteIn the spirit of service we can also say that we need to serve the earth on which we live. By serving the earth as well as each other we gain an appreciation not only for other people, but for where we live. Entitlement doesn't appreciate anything that it has, and service shows gratitude for the things that we have around us.
ReplyDeleteYour post was well written and it is evident that you have thought the subject out thoroughly. It is only tell recently that I have become so aware of the many references to moderation and reverence for the elements, made by our prophets and general authorities.
ReplyDeleteThe fight for conservation is one we must undertake individually.
I also believe that service is the key to being humble and grateful. As we feel grateful and humble we are better able to recognize the things that we have been given and don't take them for granted.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that many people feel they 'deserve' the amenities that we are blessed with. However, are the people in Africa or Asia any less deserving? It is important to reevaluate how we percieve ourselves and remember what is important.
ReplyDeleteGreat posting! I agree that prudence is such an important virtue and I really liked how much time was spent emphasizing that principle. I can't help but draw a correlation between the current economic issues and the future of our environment if we do not make decisions with prudence.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I am in accordance with your view on our over desire to have everything. We do not live anymore to enjoy the basics of life but we need to have everything everybodyelse has. We consume more than we need and we do not give back when we take.
ReplyDeleteKing Benjamin is a great example of the characteristics that you mentioned in your blog. He was the king of a thriving nation, and yet he still tilled the land with his own hands. He spent his days in service. And he knew what his place was--nothing compared to God. He knew that all belonged to God and should be treated with respect and care. The very breath of life comes from God and we must be aware that the earth is God's footstool and we a simply visitors on His land.
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