Thought of the Day - Busy is not necessarily Spiritual

I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church “live far beneath our privileges” with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. This is a noisy and busy world that we live in. Remember that being busy is not necessarily being spiritual. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit.

 

President Brigham Young spoke of a sacred experience when the martyred Prophet Joseph Smith came in vision to President Young, bringing the Saints one more message. It is a message that Saints need today more than ever before: “[Be sure to] tell the people to … keep the spirit of the Lord,” Joseph said, “and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it.”

 

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, May, 2003

Welfare

Our stake president spoke to us at church today about the need to be prepared. I have been feeling a strong sense of urgency regarding our food storage and emergency preparedness for about 10 years now and I have been actively working on this.

Whether there is a natural disaster, economic challenge, pandemic or whatever, we need to be prepared so we will not fear (or starve!).

Our stake president said we need to actively work on this now if we haven't already. Here are the areas we need to focus on:

-3 Month Supply of Food - Gradually build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet until it is sufficient for 3 months.

-Drinking Water - Store drinking water

-Save Money - Establish a financial reserve by setting aside a little money each week, and gradually increase it to a reasonable amount.

-Year Supply of Food - Once families have achieved the first three objectives, they are counseled to expand their efforts, as circumstances allow, into a supply of long-term basic foods such as grains, legumes, and other staples.

Our stake president said until we have our houses in order (with our 3 month supply, water, savings and year supply of food) he would counsel us that we should probably not be going to Disneyland, going to the movies, going to plays, buying unnecessary items, etc. When you go to buy something you don't need consider the fact that if you can't feed it to your children, it probably isn't worth having instead of the food. I 100% degree and have been personally prompted on this subject myself.

Even if someone has been blessed with things of the world more than they "need," I believe they have an additional responsibility to use that extra money wisely. Do you really think Heavenly Father wants some of us to always drive the latest car, have the name-brand clothes and go on cruises while others struggle to eat, have a home and to get a basic education? Think "Law of Consecration" and you'll get a clearer picture.

Here's a link to some great information from the March 2009 Ensign magazine on being prepared and self-sufficient:
http://lds.org/churchmagazines/EN_2009_03_00___04203_000_000.pdf#page=58

President Monson said: "Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their.... supply of food.... and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free." (May 2001)

President Hinckley said: "Everyone who owns a home recognizes the need for fire insurance. We hope and pray that there will never be a fire. Nevertheless, we pay for insurance to cover such a catastrophe, should it occur. We ought to do the same with reference to family welfare." (November 2002)

First Presidency Message in April 1942: "In the day of plenty, prepare for the day of scarcity."

Quote - Wealth as a Stumbling Block

"Wealth has always been a stumbling block for man in separating him from God. Worldly treasures become a substitute for God when allowed to become a focal point. Conversely, God seems to make allowances for, and provide special blessings to, the poor. During a sermon at the “grove” near the Nauvoo Temple this day, Joseph Smith remarks: “The rich can only get them in the temple, the poor may get them on the mountain top as did Moses. The rich cannot be saved without charity, giving to feed the poor when and how God requires, as well as building.”… In the future, as head of the Church, President Young will voice his concern that the Saints in latter times (meaning our day) will be tested much more by their wealth than the Saints ever were by their poverty."

When I read this quote I can't help but realize that we are all living lives of luxury compared to most of the people in history and most of the people in other parts of the world. I fear that we have the tendency to give ourselves credit for our comfort and success. We, as a society, think we have "earned" what we have been blessed with. We fail to be humble and instead we take pride in our accomplishments. Society seeks to collect material wealth, power, prestige, etc. to validate themselves. Pride is indeed a stumbling block and material quests will leave a feeling of emptiness.

I always strive to remember that everything I have is a gift from my Heavenly Father. My body, my mind, my health, my ability to learn, my ability to work, my education, my energy, my talents, my home, employment, my family, the gospel. So I recognize that without Him and what He has blessed us with, I would be nothing. I also recognize that no matter how well I use my time, talents and gifts, I will always fall short of repaying Him for all that He has given me and continues to give me. This is so humbling to me. But it is hard to always remember the necessity of humility and even the best people can be distracted. Luckily the Lord will usually allow us to have humbling experiences to help us grow stronger and closer to Him.