We had our first lesson by Sister Keddington! Welcome and hopefully you felt like we were nice to you!
President Smith became president of the church at the end of WWII. The ward had left much of the world devastated. In a conference address at that time he said "They are all God's children. They need us; they need not only our moral support and our religious teaching, but they need food and clothing and bedding and help of all kinds because in so many cases they haven't anything left."
Sister Keddington compared these times to more recent devastation after Hurricane Ike and Sandy. What were some of the ways we've seen the church help? Some answers shared: while watching the news and listening to the devastation, she saw in the background volunteers in yellow vest with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints printed on them. Another shared her husbands experience volunteering after Rita. He noticed how much the victims struggled with the emotional burden of cleaning out their ruined belongings. The volunteers would come in to clean up while the owners would leave. Their role was as much for moral support. Another sister shared her experience on her mission in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch. A woman invited them in letting them know she wasn't interested in changing churches but had been so touched and comforted by the food, especially her first taste of chocolate, she and many others had received after the storm from our church. Another sister shared an experience her father had with an Athiest neighbor. He had seen the help the church had offered and came to him for guidance in starting his own food storage plan.
President Smith said, "There ever has been a time, in my judgement, when kindness was needed more than now. These are the days when people's souls are being tried, and when their hears 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."
This statement could easily be moved forward to our time. Heavenly Father has given us an opportunity for development. How do we develop this? One sister shared that she often notices the excess she has in her home. How much she doesn't need. Service helps us not take for granted what we do have.
Food Storage:
Living the law of food storage is doing what we can in our circumstances and having the faith in the Lord to help when we can't. One sister shared that her family is dwindling as the kids have gotten older and she doesn't love to cook for such a small number. She really looks for sales and easy quick things to prepare. Sister Keddington said that she has had to move a lot. Food storage has been hard because some countries won't let them take it. She's come to understand that following the principle of food storage is doing what you can even if it's only stocking a few things. One sister said that we forget that food storage isn't always just for us. She had a neighbor once ask to have his food storage checked. He wanted to make sure he had enough to help those in the neighborhood that may need it. Another sister said that when moving overseas one time they were not allowed to take their food storage. They prayed and felt inspired to donate it all to their bishop. Their bishop then had the youth sell the food storage to members of the ward. What they earned was just enough to pay for a trip to their closest temple a trip that they wouldn't have afforded otherwise. The Lord can see so many different avenues that we can not see.
Live within our income:
President Smith said, "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." One sister compared it to buying car insurance. We buy the insurance and at the end of the year even though we haven't gotten in a wreck, the money is gone yet we buy the insurance again anyway. It's the same with being prepared. We may not use it, but we need to prepare as if we are. Another sister said that not only should we live within our means we need to save for a "rainy day". The Lord has always counseled modesty in the way we live.
The Lord has directed us to earn our own livelihood. The manual points out, "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."
How do we keep our livelihood from "going to decay"? Some answers were: Having pride in what you do. Our Spirits need to work. We've all had those lazy pajama days when at the end of the end of the day we feel like we are wilting inside.
Work hard:
President Smith said, "Our Heavenly Father said long, long ago there were idlers in Zion, ...and he said, "He that is idle shall not eat the bread not 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."
Neither the rich or the poor should set their heart upon riches. "Wo unto the 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 judgement, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!" (D&C 56:16)
"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 have rich and poor among our organizations. There are always opportunities to us to give. I hope we don't become bitter because some are well to do. I hope that if we are well to do we don't become self0centered.
Give to the Poor:
Sister Keddington shared a personal story of a family member that seems to always be struggling. She doesn't want to feel judged for wasting money. The Lord blesses us differently. Who are we not to give? The church is here to help. We know that 100% of what we give to fast offerings will go to help the people in need. One sister shared a story of a man that went through financial challenges and decided at the age of 40 to go back to school. He several times found anonymous donations of food and even a car to help him through this time. He committed to the Lord to pay it forward when he was once again able to. He was astounded at the opportunities the Lord laid in his path to do just that. Another sister pointed out that as a teacher in a lower income school, the gift of education is so valuable. We can go read or offer other services if we don't have a dollar to give.
"I suppose people think that 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."
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