Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Hope Through The Atonement of Christ

HOPE THROUGH THE ATONEMENT
OF JESUS CHRIST

High Council Talk Given to the Prairie 7th Ward
April 17, 2005


The atonement of Jesus Christ brings hope to all mankind. Without the atonement, there would be no hope for the family of man.

There are two great hopes associated with the Atonement of Jesus Christ:

1. Christ’s victory over death that brought about the resurrection.
2. Christ’s victory over sin wherein he took upon himself the sins of the world.

Hope of the Resurrection
Recently we just celebrated Easter. Easter is when we celebrate the great miracle of the resurrection. I remember when I first obtained a spiritual witness of the resurrection. I was on my mission at the time, and was in the process of memorizing the scriptures that accompanied the discussions. I had obtained paperback versions of the scriptures, and had cut out the ones I needed to memorize, and had pasted them on 5 x 7 index cards. As we were out tracting, I would carry this index cards with me, and memorize scriptures between door approaches. I still remember the neighborhood in Kelowna, British Columbia, where I was memorizing the scriptures about the resurrection of the Savior. I remember studying the verses about how the stone was rolled away, and the tomb was empty. The angel telling the women that “He is not here, but is risen, as he said.” The spirit bore witness to me, in a very powerful way the truth of those scriptures that I was memorizing. I had always believed in the resurrection of the Savior, and I had a hope that I, too would one day be resurrected. But now I knew with the surety that can only come from the Holy Ghost, that Christ indeed was resurrected, and that he lives still to this day. The knowledge of that witness still sustains me today, more that 25 years later. The witness of the Spirit gives me hope, that we all will live again after this life.

Implications of the Resurrection
There are certain things that become apparent to us once we have obtained that hope of the resurrection.

- We know, for instance, that this life will not be the end of our existence.
- We know that there will be a judgment to come after this life is over
- We know that we will be held accountable for our actions here in this life

Not the end
If we have the hope of the resurrection we know that this life will not be the end of our existence. Too many people in the world do not have this hope. Many believe, like Korihor, “that when a man is dead, that is the end thereof.” (Alma 30:18).

If we have no hope of life beyond mortality, we lose the eternal perspective of our existence. We lose sight of the plan of salvation, and the true purposes of life become hidden from us.

Those who do not have this understanding of our reasons for being here on earth often mock the laws of God, and those who follow him.

I am convinced that much of the wickedness we have in the world today is a result of those who do not have a hope in the resurrection.

(Alma 41.11)
“. . . all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness."


How lonely they must be, to be without God in the world. How miserable they are, for we know that wickedness never was happiness, and it never will be.

Knowing that there is a resurrection gives us hope that all our efforts in living the gospel, and keeping the commandments will be worth our time and effort in this life.

Those without this hope, do not share this belief. Eventually this philosophy of unbelief, which is encouraged by Satan, causes people to rebel against God and to consider keeping His commandments a burden. It creates an approach to life of fulfilling their appetites and every whim, and getting away with whatever you can. After all, if no one is looking, who is going to know?

Of course, we know that someone is always looking, and hidden acts of darkness and evil will one-day be revealed.

There will be a Judgement
The scriptures teach that all of us will resurrected from the dead, both the good and the evil.

(John 5:28-29)
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Regardless of how well we kept the commandments in this life, all of us will be resurrected. Even those who now have no hope in their hearts of a resurrection to come, will be resurrected.

And with that resurrection, will come a judgment.

We will be held accountable
With that judgment, comes accountability. We will have to answer for our actions in this life. Those who may have deluded themselves into believing that there is no accountability, and that there was no one watching their hidden acts, will be in for a rude awakening, or should we say, a rude re-awakening?

If people really understood that this life is not the end, that they will be resurrected, and that they will be held accountable for their actions, I believe that they would have different behaviors.

Hope During Times of Loss
Each of us has, or will have, at some point in our lives lose a loved one who is dear to us. The hope of the resurrection can bring us great comfort during times of mourning for those who have passed-on.

This hope can help us to cope with the separation that we feel with our departed loved one. We know that they still exist, that their spirits continue to live on, though their body remains here upon the earth.

The hope of the resurrection is that we will one day see them again, and be able to hold them in our arms, and rejoice together in Christ as those who are in the graves will be called forth. The spirits and the bodies of the dead will be re-united, and inseparably joined, into an immortal being that will never taste death again. This is one of the greatest and most beautiful precepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As the Easter Hymn “He is Risen” states, “Death is conquered, man is free! Christ has won the Victory!

Of particular comfort during times of loss, is the knowledge we have of the status of little children, who die before the age of accountability. Not only will they be resurrected, but through the atonement of Christ, they will be saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God, as well.

What a great comfort to parents of have lost a little one, to know that they are in the hands of the Lord, and that all will be well with them.!

Temples are a Symbol of the Resurrection
President Hinckley once said that our temples are a symbol of the resurrection of the Lord. Think about it, if there were no resurrection, there would be no need to perform work for the dead.

If there were no resurrection, there would be no need for ordinances to be administered to the living, for all eternity!

But there is a resurrection. And there will be an eternity. And the work of the temples is central to God’s plan of salvation for all his children.

As we enter the temples, and take upon ourselves covenants there, we are promised that we will come forth in the morning of the First Resurrection. What a privilege that will be – to participate with the hosts of heaven at the time of the Lord’s second coming, when the graves will be opened for all the righteous to come forth!

Our Victory Over Satan Would Not Be Complete
Without the resurrection, our victory over Satan would not be complete. In fact, victory over Satan would be impossible without the resurrection:

(2 Nephi 9:8-10.)
8 . . . For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to . . . the devil, to rise no more.
9 And our spirits must have become like unto him . . . to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; . . .
10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell . . .


The Hope of Christ’s Victory over Sin
Christ not only gained a victor over death, he also took upon himself the penalty, the price, for all our sins. Because of his sacrifice, and his suffering on our behalf, we have hope that we can overcome our sins as well.

Original Guilt
The atonement of Christ brought to deliverance to all of mankind, who, after the Fall of Adam, had slipped into a fallen state. Both sin and death had entered into the world because of the fall. Through Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, both of these fallen conditions were overcome. Original Guilt, which occurred at the time of the fall was compensated for through Christ. The agency of man then came fully into effect. As our 2nd article of faith states, Man would truly be punished only for his own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

The way was opened to all mankind, that the effects of death and sin can be absolved, thus as our 3rd article of faith states, salvation becomes available to all mankind by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Man could truly act for himself, and not be acted upon. Each would be resurrected as a result of keeping their first estate. And each also could return to the presence of God based on conditions repentance, through the merits of Jesus Christ. We are free to choose what our eternal destiny will be, based upon our willingness to accept Christ and his Gospel, and keep his commandments.

None of this would be possible, without the atonement of Christ, and his suffering for our sins.


A Hope Of Forgiveness
The atonement of Christ brings to each of us the hope of forgiveness. Each of us has made mistakes in our lives. Only Jesus himself, was able to pass through this life without ever being tainted by sin and error. We know, however, through his willingness to redeem us from sin, we can be spared the great suffering that he endured on our behalf. However, we must repent, and be baptized in order to receive this blessed forgiveness. The Savior Said:

(D&C 19:16-17)
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I . . .


As we repent, we are blessed with forgiveness for our sins and mis-deeds. We can lay aside these sins which so easily beset us, and place our feet firmly on the path toward eternal life.

Forgiveness brings us hope that not only will we live again, as resurrected beings, but that we can one-day return to the presence of God, and there live with our families for all eternity.

As we repent, we are promised that we shall have peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. (See D&C 59:23)

The Hope of a Better Life
As we follow Jesus, and repent of our sins, and take upon ourselves the covenants of the gospel, and keep his commandments, we obtain a hope of a better life – here and now, in this world, as well as . Some of the blessings we receive are:

-Peace of Mind

-Peace with Others

-Peace between ourselves and God
Although there is no peace in the world around us, we can have that peace which passeth all understanding -- that calm assurance, that as we follow the Savior, and abide by his teachings, that all will be well with us, no matter what the world may do or say.

-The hope of the atonement brings purpose and meaning to our lives. We know that we are not just living for the moment, but for eternity as well. We know that our efforts during our short time on earth will have a direct impact upon our eternal happiness.

-The hope of the atonement gives us an eternal perspective on things. As we endure challenges and trials in this life, we can have the faith and hope necessary to endure what we are called upon to endure, because we will have the help of the Lord to endure now, and we know that it will be well worth our time and effort now, to receive the blessings of eternal life.

(Moroni 8:26)
And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.

It is my hope and prayer, that each of us will seek after the Savior, and come unto him and repent, that we may be filled with that hope for a better world, and that we may all one-day return to the presence of the Lord, with our loved ones, for all eternity.


Monday, April 04, 2005

Death Valley Flowers

Here is a sample of the wildflowers growing in Death Valley this Spring.


After giving my Easter lesson to the correctional facility, I decided to send a thank-you note to the photographer of the Death Valley Photos. Here is what I said to her:

I just wanted to let you know how much I have appreciated your photos of the flowers of Death Valley. I have been following your work closely for the last few weeks as you have documented the desert in bloom.

I had an interesting experience this last Sunday (Easter Sunday) I had the opportunity to teach some Sunday School classes at a nearby youth correctional facility. We talked about how easter is a time of renewal, and a time for new life as a part of what we celebrate on Easter.

I printed out a few of your flower photos, to show the inmates at the correctional facility the changes to the Death Valley landscape, with the abundance of rain that has fallen the last few months.

I explained that the seeds of these wildflowers had been waiting in the parched and burning soil for many, many years (upwards of 100 years in some cases, as I understand). When the conditions were right, what once may have appeared barren and desolate, has now blossomed into full flower. The beauties of the land, just waiting to com forth, were finally given an opportunity to bloom and grow.

I likened it to the potential that each one of us has within ourselves. Sometimes our lives might appear barren and desoloate. But under the right conditions, we can germniate the great "seeds" of potential that each one of us has as Children of our Heavenly Father.

Your photos were a hit among these young people (12-18 years of age). I passed them around and let them view them, as we discussed what has happened in Death Valley, and the innate potential that each one of them has to blossom and grow as well.

Thanks again for your wonderful pictures. I just wanted you to know that they have been an inspiriation to me, as well as the 60 youths that I spent time with on Sunday Morning.

-- David B. Carpenter


I had no idea how my use of her photos would go over. I didn't know if she was a Christian, or a religious person at all. So I didn't quite know what to expect from her in response.

A couple of hours later, her is the response I received back from Judy, the photographer:

WOW, you have blown me away. To give hope and change even one life with one's pix. I can't even find words.

I missed the bloom in 98, as I was caretaker of my mother at that time. Years that I will never regret, it was my pleasure to care for her. However I really didn't expect DV would do a greater bloom than 98 in my lifetime. It has!!! prayers are answered!!

God has blessed me greatly, in that I have been there twice this spring, and seen a bloom that is beyond words. Also I now have cameras to do the flowers justice, God gave me that also, and the skill to capture them.

Thank you.

Judy

I was thankful that she was pleased with my use of her photos. It made me feel good to let her know that her photos were going to good use. I also used the photos for my home teaching messages in March, as we approached Easter as well. In fact, I left the photos with an elderly widow lady that I home teach, who really seemed to be enjoying them. (I can always print out more for myself, if need be).

You can view more of Judy's photos of Death Valley, and the wildflowers by clicking on the photo above.

Sunday, April 03, 2005

The Message of Easter

On Easter Sunday (March 27, 2005) I had the opportunity to teach a Sunday School Lesson at a local youth correctional facility. All of those in attendance were incarcerated for various offenses. I had to teach this class 3 different times, to three different groups. There were a total of about 65 class members among the different classes. Here are the notes I used for the lesson:

Why do we celebrate on Easter?

- Atonement in Gethsemane
- His Death on the Cross
- The Resurrection

What does Christ’s Victory over Death and Sin mean to you?

- It gives us hope. What do we hope for?

- Redemption from Sin and Death

What is a Redeemer?
The dictionary gives the following definitions. Think of these definitions in terms of how they may apply to the Savior:

- To buy back, to repurchase
- To get back, to recover, as by paying a fee
- To rescue, ransom, or liberate from captivity or bondage,
- To pay an equivalent for a debt or obligation
- To deliver, rescue or save in any manner
- To make good on a promise, by performance
- To make amends for, to atone for, or to compensate
- To deliver from sin and its penalties by a sacrifice made for the sinner

How does Christ’s Victory over Sin Bring Us Hope?

- Hope that we can be forgiven of our sins and mistakes
- Hope that we can, through Him, overcome our weaknesses
- Hope of a better life, both now and in the hereafter.

How does Christ’s Victory over Death Bring us Hope?

- We will live again. Like Jesus, we will be resurrected too one day.
- When we are resurrected, we will have glorified and perfected bodies:
- No Longer subject to pain, disease, deformities, disabilities and weaknesses.
- We will no longer age, deteriorate, or die.
- Our bodies and spirits will be inseparably united, never again to be divided.
- All will be resurrected


Because of Christ’s resurrection, we will all be resurrected one day. However, the quality of life that we will experience in the hereafter will be based on how well we have repented of our sins, and followed the teachings of Christ.

The quality of our lives here and now in this life, is also based largely upon our obedience to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As the Redeemer, Christ will also be our judge. He who paid the price of our sins, will be the one who will decide if we have repented, and if his redemption will be applied toward us.

If we have not repented, we must bear ourselves, the price of our own sins.

Implications of the Resurrection

If we believe that Christ was resurrected, and that one-day we, too, will be resurrected, How does knowledge influence the way we live our lives here and now?

- This life is not the end of our existence
- There will be a judgment one day.
- We will be held accountable for our actions in this life.
- If there were no resurrection, and there was no life after death, how would that influence the way we conduct our lives now?

- Would we be concerned about our behavior when no one was looking?

Death Valley

Have you ever heard of a place called Death Valley?

- Death Valley Normally receives 1-2 inches of rainfall per hear. (Salt Lake City averages between 18-20 inches per year, by contrast.)

- Some years Death Valley can go an entire year without any rainfall at all!

- This winter, there have been 6 inches of rainfall in the last 4 months. What do you think has happened as a result?

- (Show pictures of wildflowers)

- Rainfall like this occurs only about once in every 100 years in Death Valley

- Embedded In the dry and parched desert soil of Death Valley, there are millions of tiny seeds, just waiting to spring forth into life, when the conditions are right. This year the conditions were right, and you can see the results.

Seeds of the Divine

- Just as there are wildflower seeds, embedded in what normally looks like dry, arid soil, there are hidden within each of us, seeds of the divine.

- Each of us is a child of God. We are precious to him.

- We carry within each of us some of his own divine and noble attributes, just like we carry many of the physical attributes of our earthly parents.

- Like the wildflower seeds waiting for rain, the seeds of divinity, inherited from our Heavenly Father, are waiting us to make the conditions right for those seeds to spring forth into life.

The True Message of Easter

The true message of Easter is a message of love.

- The love of our Heavenly Father for sending us his Son

- The love of Jesus Christ for us, for his willingness to be our Redeemer, and suffer both in body and spirit until he gave his life for us.

- Because of what he has done for us, the Lord Jesus Christ has a great and infinite love for each of us.

- He has already given each us the gift of the resurrection.

- He does not want his sacrifice for our sins to be in vain.

- He invites each of us to come unto him. To repent of our sins, and be healed.

- We are not alone as we face our sins and weaknesses. He can help us overcome them, and lift great burdens from our souls, and give us rest

- Come unto Him, that you may be healed.

The Law of Tithing

High Council Talk
Given to Prairie 6th Ward, March 20, 2005

Lord’s Law of Revenue for the Church
The law of tithing has been established by the Lord as the law of revenue for His Church. Without it, the purposes of the Lord’s Kingdom on earth could not be carried forward. Tithing is also a law by which we show our loyalty to the Lord and prove ourselves worthy for privileges, ordinances, and blessings. (Earl C. Tingey, “The Law of Tithing,” Ensign, May 2002, 10)
Tithing funds are collected each week, all around the world, and transmitted to church headquarters. Those who determine the use of tithing funds are designated by scripture (See D&C 120:1). The Lord has established a council, called the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes. This council is made up of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the Presiding Bishopric. Tithing funds are used as directed by the Lord, through this council.
All tithing funds are spent for the purposes of the Church, including welfare—care for the poor and needy—temples, buildings and upkeep of meetinghouses, education, curriculum—in short, the work of the Lord. (Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)

Tithing is a matter of Faith
Tithing is one of the basic ways in which we demonstrate our faith in the Lord, and our obedience to his commandments. Tithing is one of the commandments that qualifies us, by our faith, to enter the temple—the house of the Lord.
Tithing is not only a test of our faith, but also helps us to develop and enhance our faith as we are obedient. When we live the law of tithing, we invariably are blessed by the Lord.
Speaking of tithing, the Lord said in Malachi 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it.


We know that whenever we obey a commandment, that we will receive the blessings associated with that commandment. (See D&C 130:20-21) When we obey the law of tithing, we are blessed. And as we are blessed, our faith and confidence in the Lord increases. Also, when we sacrifice to the Lord these funds that we may think we want or need for ourselves, we learn to rely more upon the Lord, thus drawing us closer to Him.
As our faith grows, we are better able pass through the trials, tribulations, and sorrows in our life’s journey.

The test of our faith is whether we will live the law of tithing by our obedience and sacrifice. For, in the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” (Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)

President James E Faust Said:

Some may feel that they cannot afford to pay tithing, but the Lord has promised that He would prepare a way for us to keep all of His commandments. To pay tithing takes a leap of faith in the beginning, but as Jesus said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” We learn about tithing by paying it. Indeed, I believe it is possible to break out of poverty by having the faith to give back to the Lord part of what little we have.(James E. Faust, “Opening the Windows of Heaven,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54)

President Faust Relates the following experience:

I know of two missionaries who visited a very poor family. The family’s home was made of pressboard and sticks, with a dirt floor and no electricity or beds. Each evening the father, a farm laborer, spent his entire day’s wages on groceries for dinner. Departing from their humble home, the senior companion thought to himself, “The law of tithing will surely be a stumbling block to this family. Perhaps we shouldn’t bring it up for a while.” A few moments later, the junior companion, who had grown up in similar circumstances in his own country, voiced his own thoughts aloud: “I know the principle of tithing isn’t taught for four more discussions, but can we please teach it the next time we visit? They need to know about tithing now because they need the help and the blessing of the Lord so much.”
Tithing Is a Sacrifice

The payment of tithing also teaches us to control our desires and passions for the things of this world. I suppose there are two reasons for this:

1. When we pay our tithing, we have less money to spend on worldly pursuits.

2. When we choose to direct our funds toward the Lord’s work, rather that to our own selfish wants, or even needs, we make a commitment in our hearts to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord, and that we choose to value our relationship with the Lord, and the building of his Kingdom here on earth more than the earthly things that money can buy.

This in turn draws us closer to Him. As we make this sacrifice on behalf of the Lord’s Kingdom, we find that we are desirous to be more faithful in other areas of the gospel as well. Having thus invested ourselves in his Kingdom, we are less likely to stray in other areas of our life as well.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Said:

When we pay our tithing, it is a declaration that possessing material goods and the accumulation of worldly wealth are not the uppermost goals in our lives.

We should pay tithes and offerings as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven, and a way to show our thankfulness to Him. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Watered Garden,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 33)

What if we find ourselves in a really tight situation, and we must choose to pay our tithing, or some other debt? President Marion G. Romney had the following advice:

The Lord, to whom one owes tithing, is in a position of a preferred creditor. If there is not enough to pay all creditors, he should be paid first. You may be a little shocked by this statement, but it is true. Other creditors, however, need not worry, for the Lord always blesses the person who has faith enough to pay tithing so his or her ability to pay other creditors is not thereby reduced. (Marion G. Romney, “Concerning Tithing,” Ensign, June 1980, 2)
Teaching Our Children About Tithing

It is important for us to teach our children concerning the law of tithing. They should be taught very early in life the principles of tithing. Help them to set aside one-tenth of all they earn, as they receive their own allowances, or earnings from various jobs they may perform. Help them fill out the tithing slips, and encourage them to hand their tithing directly to a member of the bishopric themselves. The amounts may only be pennies, but the habits learned as a child, can be sustained throughout their lives.

It is important as youths begin to have their own employment, that they too pay an honest tithe as well, which will prepare them to become full tithe-paying adults.

If the concept of tithing is learned and sustained early in life, to the point that it becomes a habit, it will be so much easier for that person to pay tithing as an adult.
Help children to know how tithing is used, for temples, chapels, seminaries, and socials that are provided. Teach your children that many of the blessings of the Church are available to them because you and they give tithes and offerings to the Church. Teach them that those blessings could come virtually no other way.
At the end of each year, we have tithing settlement with the Bishop. Make sure that you take your children to tithing settlement, so that they can have the opportunity to declare that they are full tithe payers.

Tithing is a Debt we owe the Lord

We must pay our tithes and offerings out of honesty and integrity because they are God’s rightful due. Paying tithing is not a token gift we are somehow charitably bestowing upon God. Paying tithing is discharging a debt.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Watered Garden,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 33)

Elder James E. Talmage once described this as a contract between us and the Lord. He imagined the Lord saying:


“ ‘You have need of many things in this world—food, clothing, and shelter for your family … , the common comforts of life. … You shall have the means of acquiring these things; but remember they are mine, and I require of you the payment of a rental upon that which I give into your hands. However, your life will not be one of uniform increase … [so] instead of doing as mortal landlords do—requir[ing] you to … pay in advance, whatever your fortunes or … prospects may be—you shall pay me … [only] when you have received; and you shall pay me in accordance with what you receive. If it so be that in one year your income is abundant, then … [your 10 percent will be a] little more; and if it be so that the next year is one of distress and your income is not what it was, then … [your 10 percent will be] less. … [Whatever your circumstance, the tithe will be fair.]’

“Have you ever found a landlord on earth who was willing to make that kind of [equitable] contract with you?” Elder Talmage asks. “When I consider the liberality of it all,” he says, “… I feel in my heart that I could scarcely raise my countenance to … Heaven … if I tried to defraud [God] out of that [which is rightfully His].” (The Lord’s Tenth Pamphlet, 1968, 10–11; As quoted by Jeffrey R. Holland, “Like a Watered Garden,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 33)
Remember this from Malachi 3:8 --

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Tithing is an obligation we owe to the Lord. Not something that we contribute to as it suits on a whim, or when it is most convenient for us. Failure to pay our tithing, is in reality, robbing God. Now why would we want to do that? Or in, my grandfather’s words: “Now why would you want to go and do a thing like that for?”

If we rob God, in reality, we only rob ourselves of many blessings, both spiritual and temporal, both now, and in the eternities.

Blessings of Obedience

To those who faithfully and honestly live the law of tithing, the Lord promises an abundance of blessings. Some of these blessings are temporal, just as tithes are temporal. But like the outward physical ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, the commandment to pay tithing requires temporal sacrifice, which ultimately yields great spiritual blessings.

The temporal and spiritual blessings of tithing are specifically tailored to us and our families, according to the Lord’s will. But to receive them, we must obey the law upon which they are predicated. (See Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)

Again, from Malachi 3:11 we read:

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes . . .

In ancient times, the devourer was known as a menace to crops and herds. It could take the form of predators, such as wolves, pestilence destroying their crops, or famine in which rain was withheld.

In our day, the devourer could be more in the form of insidious evil, entering our home through the airwaves, satellite signals, and the internet.
There are the evils of drugs and alcohol, immorality, and gambling which can destroy our homes and families.

A famine today might include long periods of unemployment, or a personal business doing poorly.

The honest payment of tithes and offerings provides a protection against all of these things. We will have extra defenses against these modern forms of evil.

President James E Faust Noted:

Today the world is in a religious drift. If something can be had cheaply, without exertion or sacrifice, people do not mind having a little bit of it. In contrast, the blessings of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints require both exertion and sacrifice. Receiving the blessings requires the payment of tithes and offerings. Ours is not a Sunday-only religion. It demands exemplary conduct and effort every day of the week. It involves accepting calls and serving with fidelity in those callings. It means strength of character, integrity, and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means that our homes need to be places of sanctuary and love. It means a relentless battle against the bombardment of worldly evils. It means, at times, being unpopular and politically incorrect. (James E. Faust, “Opening the Windows of Heaven,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 54)


Another blessing of paying an honest tithe is, that we tend to use our resources more efficiently. Part if this is because after giving 10 percent to the Lord, we have to be more wise in the use of our remaining resources. But part of it also is that the Lord will help our resources go further, after we have paid our tithing.

President Heber J Grant said:

“I bear witness—and I know that the witness I bear is true—that the men and the women who have been absolutely honest with God, who have paid their tithing, … God has given them wisdom whereby they have been able to utilize the remaining nine-tenths, and it has been of greater value to them, and they have accomplished more with it than they would if they had not been honest with the Lord” (Elder Heber J Grant Conference Report, Apr. 1912, p. 30).

Temple Blessings

There is a close relationship between the blessings of the temple, and tithing.

First of all, our tithing is used to build and then to fund the ongoing operations of the temple.

Second, when we pay tithing, we meet one of the requirements necessary to be worthy to enter the temple. If we do not pay a full tithing, we cannot enter the temple, and receive the ordinances of the House of the Lord.

If we have already been to the temple, but are no longer full tithe payers, then we are not in harmony with the covenants that we have made there. We must always remember, that the blessings and promises of eternal life, and being sealed together as eternal families are based upon our obedience to Heavenly Father’s commandments, and upon our keeping all the covenants we have made with the Lord.

If we are not able to enter the temple, we also are not able to the vicarious work for our dead. The souls of our ancestors are awaiting the time when their work will be done for them in the temples. When we are able to enter the temples, and participate in the holy ordinances there, we are able to open the way to salvation to many, an link the generations of our families together in an eternal bond. The ancestors who have gone before us, and our posterity to follow will rejoice in the work we have done in the temples.

Are You Rejecting Blessings?

Would any of us intentionally reject an outpouring of blessings from the Lord? Sadly, this is what we do when we fail to pay our tithing. We say no to the very blessings we are seeking and praying to receive. If you are one who has doubted the blessings of tithing, I encourage you to accept the Lord’s invitation to “prove [Him] now herewith.” Pay your tithing. Unlock the windows of heaven. You will be abundantly blessed for your obedience and faithfulness to the Lord’s laws and commandments. (See Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 26)

Please don’t let struggles with living the law of tithing keep you from some of the most sublime experiences to be had in your life.

If you are not current in your tithing, you may miss out on some of the once-in-a-lifetime, and even once-in-an-eternity experiences, such as when your own children are ready to take out their own endowments, or are to be married in the temple for time and all eternity.

Please don’t forfeit these opportunities. Both you and your loved ones will be disappointed if you miss these opportunities.

The way back

If you currently find yourself in struggle to pay a full tithing, I urge you take action now. Meet with your Bishop. Together you can develop a plan to bring yourself in full compliance with the requirements of the gospel. Look forward to the great day when you can go or return again to the House of the Lord, and receive the great blessings that await you and your family there. Begin where you are, and take the steps necessary to fully live the law of Tithing.

Don’t let tithing cause you to miss some of the most sublime and rewarding experiences that can be yours in this life. While it is true, that if we fail to obey the law of tithing, that we rob God. It is also true, that we also rob ourselves of His greatest blessings.