PreparewithVision,WritewithPrayer,
PlanwithPurpose,andCreatewithConfidence:
12StepstoBringingChristMoreintoourLivesandPersonalFinances
E.JeffHill,AshleyLeBaron,andBryanSudweeks
March23,2017
BryanSudweeksgaveapresentationontheeastcoastabouthowweteachpersonalfinanceatBYU.Anoldergentleman,notofourfaith,asked,“Howdoyouteachpersonalfinancedifferentlyinafaith-basedschoolthanIteachinasecularschool?”Bryanponderedthequestionforamomentandreplied,“Inadditiontowhatyouteach,weteachwhatthescripturesandprophetshavesaid.Thattakespersonalfinancefrombeingaquestionofmoneytoaquestionoffaith.”Thegentlemanthoughtabouttheresponse,paused,andthenstated,“Youhaveabiggerhammer.”
AsbothChristiansandmanagersofourfinances,wetrulydohaveabiggerhammer.Butdoweusethathammerasweshould?AreweusingtherestoredgospelandthestrengtheningandenablingpoweroftheatonementofJesusChristinourlivesandourfinances,orarewedoingitonourown?Ifthelatter,perhapsweare“livingbelowourpromisesandprivileges.”
Personalfinanceisnotsimplyhowweusemoneyinourlives;rather,itishowwerespondtocommandmentsofGodonhowweusethethingsthatHehasblesseduswith.DallinH.Oakssaid:“Thereisnothinginherentlyevilaboutmoney...Thecriticaldifferenceisthedegreeofspiritualityweexerciseinviewing,evaluating,andmanagingthethingsofthisworldandourexperiencesinit.”[1] Fromourcovenantsofbaptism,stewardship,consecrationandourloveforGodandneighbor,allthatwehaveisfromGodandbecomespartofourstewardshipandtestinmortalitytoseeifwewillobeyHiscommandments.Assuch,personalfinanceissimplypartofthegospelofJesusChrist.
HowdowebringChristmoreintoourpersonalfinancesandlives? MelvinJ.Ballardsaid:
Overtheyears,Ihaveobservedthatthosewhoaccomplishthemostinthisworldarethosewithavisionfortheirlives,withgoalstokeepthemfocusedontheirvisionandtacticalplansforhowtoachievethem.Knowingwhereyouaregoingandhowyouexpecttogettherecanbringmeaning,purpose,andaccomplishmenttolife.[2]
Inthispaperwepresent12stepstobringingChristintoourlivesandpersonalfinances. WeemphasizethedoctrineandprinciplesofaChrist-centeredperspectiveandlessonapplicationandprocesses. WebringChristmoreintoourlivesaswepreparewithvision,writewithprayer,planwithpurpose,andcreatewithconfidence. WiththeenablingpoweroftheatonementofJesusChristtohelp,wecanthenaccomplishallthingsthatweandGodneedustoaccomplish.
PreparewithVision
PreparationisacriticalpartofeverythingthatGoddoesandshouldbepartofeverythingwedo.Recallthatwiththecreationoftheworldtherewasaspiritualcreationfirst,thenthelaterphysicalcreation.Webelievethatpreparation,writingandplanningareallpartofthespiritualcreation,andcreationisthephysicalcreation.
PreparationiscriticalasweseektobringChristintoourpersonalfinances.WeneedtohavefaithinHim,learnwisdom,liftourthoughts,andcatchourvision.Beforeyoucanknowyourgoalsinlife,youmusthaveavisionofwhoyouare,whatyoucando,whatyouwanttoaccomplish,andwhatGodwouldhaveyoudo.
1.ChooseFaithinChrist.NeilL.Andersonremindedus“Mydearfriends. Yourfaithdidnotbeginatbirthanditwillnotendatdeath. Faithisachoice. Strengthenyourfaith.”[3]DallinH.Oakssaid,“Godwilldomorethanwhatisbestforus...TheconvictionthattheLordknowsmorethanwedoandthatHewillanswerourprayersinthewaythatisbestforusandforallofhisotherchildrenisavitalingredientoffaithintheLordJesusChrist.”[4]
TheSaviortaughttheNephitesthattheymustalwayspraytotheFatherinHisname,adding,“AndwhatsoeveryeshallasktheFatherinmyname,whichisright,believingthatyeshallreceive,beholditshallbegivenuntoyou.”[5]DallinH.Oaksfurtherstates,
HeretheSaviorremindsusthatfaith,nomatterhowstrongitis,cannotproducearesultcontrarytothewillofHimwhosepoweritis.TheexerciseoffaithintheLordJesusChristisalwayssubjecttotheorderofheaven,tothegoodnessandwillandwisdomandtimingoftheLord.ThatiswhywecannothavetruefaithintheLordwithoutalsohavingcompletetrustintheLord’swillandintheLord’stiming.[6]
WeshouldstrivetoalignourvisionandgoalswithGod’swillandexercisepatiencewithHistiming.Then,withHishelp,wecanaccomplishanything.
2.Catchyourvision.Thescripturesteach,“Wherethereisnovision,thepeopleperish.”[7]Whyisvisionsoimportanttomotivation?Ilovethethought,“Withincreasedvisioncomesincreasedmotivation.”[8]Wheredoyouneedtoimproveyourvision?Fouraspectstoconsiderarevisionsofwhoyouare,ofwhatyoucando,ofwhatyouwant,andofwhatGodwantsyoutodo.
Ofwhoyouare.Weare“allthechildrenofGodbyfaithinJesusChrist,”[9]each“withadivinemissionanddestiny.”[10]Paulremindsus,“Andifchildren,thenheirs;heirsofGod,andjoint-heirswithChrist.”[11]Dowebelieveinthisgreatpotential?“Nodoctrineismorebasic,nodoctrineembracesagreaterincentivetopersonalrighteousness...asdoesthewondrousconceptthatmancanbeashisMaker.”[12]Someoneoncesaid,“Don’ttellmewhattodo,tellmewhoIam.OnceIknowwhoIam,Iwillknowwhattodo.”[13]WearechildrenofGod,andthatopensimmensepossibilitiesforusandforourfinances.
Ofwhatyoucando.Somethinkthatinordertobelievesomethingtheymustfirstseeit.Ethertaughtusdifferently;wewillseeitwhenwebelieveit.“AnditcametopassthatEtherdidprophesygreatandmarvelousthingsuntothepeople,whichtheydidnotbelieve,becausetheysawthemnot.”[14]Thepeopleweresohardintheirheartsthattheycouldnotimaginethesewonderfulthingshappening,sotheydidnotbelievethattheycouldhappen.Laterinthatsamechapter,Ethersharesaboutsomeotherpeoplewhobelieveditfirstandthensawit.Hewrites,“Andthereweremanywhosefaithwassoexceedinglystrong,evenbeforeChristcame,whocouldnotbekeptfromwithintheveil,buttrulysawwiththeireyesthethingswhichtheyhadbeheldwithaneyeoffaith,andtheywereglad.”[15]Aswecatchthevisionofwhatwecando,ifwewillbelieveit,wewillseeitcometopass.
Ofwhatyouwanttoaccomplish.Oncewehavethevisionofwhoweareandwhatwecando,ourchallengethenbecomesoneofdecidingwhatitiswewantoutoflife. Doyouhavethatvisionofwhatyouwantoutoflife?Haveyouthoughtaboutyourdesiresandgoals?HaveyouprayedaboutthemtomakesuretheyarethedesiresandgoalsthatHeavenlyFatherwouldhaveyouaccomplish? HaveyoureadandponderedyourpatriarchalandotherblessingsrecentlytounderstandGod’splanforyou?
Ifyourvisionrequiresfinancialconsiderations,haveyouthoughtabouthowmuchyouwillneedtosaveeachmonthtodothethingsyouhaveplanned?Mostimportantly,areyouwillingtosacrificeforthem?NelsonMandelasaid:“Onceapersonisdeterminedtohelpthemselves,thereisnothingthatcanstopthem.”[16]Asourvisionofwhatwewantincreases,ourwillingnesstodothethingsnecessarytoachieveourvisionincreasesaswell. IlovethepoemfromJesseRittenhousethatsays:
IbargainedwithLifeforaPenny,andLifewouldpaynomore,
HoweverIbeggedatevening,whenIcountedmyscantystore.
ForLifeisajustemployer,Hewillgiveyouwhatyouask,
Butonceyouhavesetthewages,why,youmustbearthetask.
Iworkedforamenial’shire,onlytolearn,dismayed,
ThatanywageIhadaskedofLife,Lifewouldhavewillinglypaid.[17]
Wewillgetoutoflifewhatwearewillingtohaveavisionfor,setagoalfor,andthenworktoachieve. Wewillnotgetmorethanthis. Oncewehaveourvisionforourselves,wecanthenworkonsettingourgoals. MelvinJ.Ballardsaid: “IbelievethatoneimportantkeytohappinessistolearnhowtosetourowngoalsandestablishourownplanswithintheframeworkofourHeavenlyFather’seternalplan.Ifwefocusonthiseternalpath,wewillinevitablyqualifytoreturntoHispresence.”[18] Healsosaid:
Duringthecomingweeks,findtimetoreviewyourlife’s[visions,]goalsandyourplans,andmakesuretheyalignwithourHeavenlyFather’sgreatplanforourhappiness.Ifyouneedtorepentandchange,thenconsiderdoingsonow.Takethetimetoprayerfullythinkaboutwhatadjustmentsareneededtohelpyoukeepyour“eyesingletothegloryofGod.”[19][20]
OfwhatGodwouldhaveyoudoorbecome. Correctlyunderstandingwhoyouareiscriticaltounderstandingyourwork,destinyand mission in life. Thescripturesremindusofourworkwhenitsays,“Behold,thisisyourwork,tokeepmycommandments,yea,withallyourmight,mindandstrength.”[21] Just as God has His work, we have our work as well.
TheProclamationontheFamilystates:“Allhumanbeings—maleandfemale,arecreatedintheimageofGod. Eachisabelovedsonordaughterofheavenlyparents,and,assuch,eachhasadivinenatureanddestiny.”[22] Howdowecometoknowthatthatdivinedestinyis? TadR.Callistersaid:“Itisthisdoctrineofidentitythatdefinesourpotentialdestinyofgodhood.Ifonedoesnotcorrectlyunderstandhisdivineidentity,thenhewillnevercorrectlyunderstandhisdivinedestiny.Theyare,intruth,inseparablepartners.”[23]
Finally, on our mission’s in life, JohnH.Grobergcommented:
Whatisyourmissioninlife?WhatdoesGodexpectyoutoaccomplishduringyoursojournhereupontheearth?Andareyoudoingit? Tohelpanswerthesequestions,IhopetheSpiritoftheLordwillimpressuponusalltheimportanceofatleastthesethreeeternaltruths:1.God,ourFatherinHeaven,doeshaveaspecificmissionforallofustofulfillandperformwhilewearehereuponthisearth.2.Wecan,hereandnow,inthislife,discoverwhatthatmissionis. 3.WithHishelpwecanfulfillthatmissionandknowandhaveassurance,hereandnow,thatwearedoingthatwhichispleasingtoHim. WiththehelpoftheSpiritoftheLordwecanunderstandthesetruthsandmovethecourseofourlifeintunewiththem.[24]
3.Liftyourthoughts.Liftyourthoughtsandthinklongerterm.TheLordcounseled,“Letthesolemnitiesofeternityrestonyourminds.”[25]Ifyouwillthinkabouteternity(whichisdefinitelylonger-term),youwilleitherknowwhyyouwantorneedtoaccomplishsomething,oritwilldiminishinitsimportanceandmotivationtoyou. Consider whyisitimportant?Whatwillitdoforyou?
BoydK.Packersaid,“Truedoctrine,understood,changesattitudesandbehavior.Thestudyofthedoctrinesofthegospelwillimprovebehaviorquickerthanastudyofbehaviorwillimprovebehavior.”[26]Thedoctrinesarethe“why’s”wedothesethings.
Tounderstandthewhys,wetaketheviewofeternityfromfourdifferentperspectivesandask“why”thisisimportant.FromaspiritualorGod’sperspective,everythingGoddoesistobringustoChrist,forinChristcomes“everygoodthing.”[27]Assuch,thatshouldbeourobjectiveaswell.Fromatemporalperspective,weshouldseektobewiserstewardsoverwhatwehavebeengiven.Godhasgivenusmuch,andweneedtoberesponsibleforwhatwehave.Fromafamilyperspective,everythingwedoasafamilyshouldbetohelpusreturnwithourfamiliesbacktoHeavenlyFather’spresence.Heavenwouldnotbeheavenwithoutourfamilies.Andfinally,fromanindividualperspective,ourworkandpurposeshouldbetohelpusaccomplishour“divinenatureanddestiny.”[28]Eachofushasadivinemissioninthislife,andweshouldstrivetoaccomplishit.
Next,knowwhatyouwanttodo.Whataretheprinciplesor“what’s”onwhichyourdoctrinesor“whys”arebased? Webelievethese“what’s”shouldbebasedonfourkeyprinciples,mostlearnedintheHouseoftheLord.Ifweunderstandthesefourprinciples,makingfinancialandotherdecisionsinlifewillbesomucheasier.Thefirstprincipleisownership:noneofthethingswehavebelongtous,evenourselves.TheyaregivenoronloantousfromalovingHeavenlyFather.[29]Secondisstewardship:becausewedonotownthesethings,wearestewardsoveralltheLordhasgivenus.[30]Weshouldstrivetobewisestewardswithwhatweare,have,andwillbegiven.Thirdisagency:“nexttothebestowaloflifeitself,therighttodirectthatlifeisGod’sgreatestgifttoman.”[31]Weshoulduseitwisely.Finally,accountability:wewillbeheldaccountablefornotonlyourthoughts,words,andactions,[32]butalsoforeverydollarthatgoesthroughourhands.Thisaccountabilityshouldmotivateustodobettereachdayinourlivesandfinances.
Finally,know “how’s” or the way we are to create and accomplish whatweneedtodo. Thereisaprocesstocreation. Itistohaveavisionforwhatwearetryingtoaccomplish,andthensetgoals,whicharetoolstohelpuskeepfocusedonourvision. Thenwebuildthetacticalplansthatwilltakeustoourgoals, while at the same time understanding theconstraints,orthingsthatmustbeaccomplishedforustoaccomplishourvision. Finally,wecommunicatethosevision,goals,andplanstothosewhowillhelpus.
Perhapsanexampletoputthe “how’s” or creativeprocessinperspective.HeavenlyFather’svisionistheexaltationofhischildren.Hisgoalisto“bringtopasstheimmortalityandeternallifeofman.”[33] HisplanisthePlanofSalvationorthePlanofHappiness.He is constrained by the agency of His children, although Hehasnoconstraintsashisplanisforallpeople. AndHecommunicateshisplanwithHischildrenthroughprophets,apostlesandscriptures. JustasHehasavision,goal,plan,constraints,andcommunication,soweshouldtooonallthethingswewanttoaccomplish.
Asweunderstandthedoctrines,principlesandapplication,orthe“why’s”,“what’s”and“how’s”,wewillbeawarenotonlyofwhatweshouldbedoing,butalsowhywearedoingthesethingsandhowwearetoaccomplishthem.Thisawarenesswillhelpusliftourthoughtsabovethecurrentandenticingtemptationstospend.Sincetherearenotemporalcommandments,[34]thechallengeofpersonalfinanceisnotsimplyaquestionofmoneybutaquestionoffaith.Finally,the“why’s”giveusabenchmarkonhowwearedoing.IfourfinancesarebringingusclosertoChrist,helpingusbewiserstewards,helpinguspreparetolivewithourfamiliesinHeavenlyFather’spresence,andhelpingusaccomplishourpersonalandfamilymissions,wearedoingourfinancesright.
4.Learnwisdom. Personalfinanceisachangingandsomewhatchallengingtopic. Learnaboutwhatyouaretryingtoaccomplish,andlearnasmuchasyoupossiblycan.“Andasallhavenotfaith,seekyediligentlyandteachoneanotherwordsofwisdom;yea,seekyeoutofthebestbookswordsofwisdom;seeklearning,evenbystudyandalsobyfaith.”[35]Iwouldaddtoseeklearningfromthosewhoarenottryingtosellyousomethingorthosewhodonothaveavestedinterestinyourdoingthingsforthem.Iwouldalsoavoidtheunfaithfulandfaithlesswhenstrivingforreligioustruth.
Seektruthandlearnwisdom.Whereiswisdomtobefound?Almacounseledhisson,“O,remember,myson,andlearnwisdominthyyouth;yea,learninthyyouthtokeepthecommandmentsofGod.”[36]Howdowelearnwisdom?TheLordsaid,“LethimthatisignorantlearnwisdombyhumblinghimselfandcallingupontheLordhisGod,thathiseyesmaybeopenedthathemaysee,andhisearsopenedthathemayhear;FormySpiritissentforthintotheworldtoenlightenthehumbleandcontrite.”[37]
WriteyourGoalswithPrayer
5. Writeyougoals. Asyourvisionforthethingsyouwanttobecomeandtoaccomplishinlifebecomeclearer,youarereadyforthenextstep. Takethatvisionanduseittohelpyoudefineyourgoals,thethingsyouwanttoaccomplishinyourlife. Writeyourgoalswiththoughtandprayer. BringChristintoyourgoalwritingsessionsoyoumakesureyourgoalsareconsistentwithwhatHeavenlyFatherwouldhaveyouset. Someonesaid,“Agoalnotwrittenisonlyawish.”[38]
MelvinJ.Ballardsaid:“IbelievethatoneimportantkeytohappinessistolearnhowtosetourowngoalsandestablishourownplanswithintheframeworkofourHeavenlyFather’seternalplan.Ifwefocusonthiseternalpath,wewillinevitablyqualifytoreturntoHispresence.”[39]Rememberyourvisioniswhatyouseeyourselfdoingandbecoming,andyourgoalsareyourdestination,whatyouwanttoaccomplish.
Whatdoyouenjoydoing?Whatmakesyoureallylovelife?Whatdoyoulikedoingwithyourspouseandkids?Onceyouhavewrittenthemdown,thinkaboutthemandprayaboutthem.Aretheywhatyoushouldbeworkingtoward?Ifso,pursuethemwithpassionandfire.Thoreausaid,"Ifyouhavebuiltcastlesintheair,yourworkneednotbelost;thatiswheretheyshouldbe.Nowputthefoundationsunderthem."[40]
Theword“remember”occurs269timesinthescriptures.Whiletheremaybemanyreasonsforthis,onemightbetoremindusofthethingsthathavealreadyhappenedtohelpusincreaseourfaithinthingsthathavenotyethappened.Canweusethissamelogicinourlives?
Werecommendkeepingajournalofthethingsyouaredoingandwhatyouhaveaccomplished.Asyoupreparewithvisionandwriteyourgoalswithprayer,andthenvisualizeyourselfachievingthem,itwillgiveyouincreasedincentivetoworkonyourgoals.Asyourecordyoursuccessesandchallenges,youwillseetheLord’shandinyourlifeandyourprogresstowardyourgoals.Asyouseewhatyouhaveaccomplishedinthepast,itwillgiveyouincreasedincentivetoreachothergoalsaswell.
PlanforyourGoalswithPurpose
Oncewehavepreparedourlifewithvision,ournextstepistodeveloptacticalplanstoachievethem.WebringChristintothespiritualcreationofourpersonalfinancesaswecounselwiththeLord,decidetodecide,anddoitwillingly.
6. CounselwiththeLord.Wehavebeentoldto“counselwiththeLordinallourdoings, and He will direct thee for good.”[41]ThatshouldincludeHishelptodeveloptheplanstoaccomplishourgoalsandvision.Thecommandmentto“askandyeshallreceive”isfoundinnotjustonevolumeofscripturebutinallthestandardworks.”[42]ClearlywehavebeencounseledtoseektheLord’shelpinourlives.
However,manypeopleinworkingontheirvision, goalsandplansthinktheyhavetodothesethingsalone.Theymaythinkthatbecausetheycreatedtheirchallenges(whichmaybetrue),theLordisunwillingtohelpthem.Aprophetasked,“IsanythingtoohardfortheLord?”[43]Hethenansweredhisownquestionbystating,“IbelievetheLordcandoanythinghesetshismindtodo.”[44]Webelievethatincludeshelpingyoudevelopyourvision,goalsandplans.
CounselingwiththeLordispartofpreparation,planningandcreation.Inplanning,seekHishelpandHisguidanceasyoudeterminewhatyouneedtodotoaccomplishyourgoals.MakesureyourgoalsareconsistentwiththethingsthatHewouldhaveyouaccomplish.
7.Decidetodecide.Makethedecisionsnowaboutwhatyouneedtodo,andcommittothosedecisionstoday!Decidenowwhatyouwillandwillnotdotohelpyourselfandyourfamily,andthenbedonewiththosedecisionsonceandforall.SpencerW.Kimballsaid,
Wehopewecanhelpouryoungmenandyoungwomentorealize,evensoonerthantheydonow,thattheyneedtomakecertaindecisionsonlyonce...Wecanpushsomethingsawayfromusonceandhavedonewiththem!Wecanmakeasingledecisionaboutcertainthingsthatwewillincorporateinourlivesandthenmakethemours—withouthavingtobroodandre-decideahundredtimeswhatitiswewilldoandwhatwewillnotdo...Myyoungbrothers[andsisters],ifyouhavenotdonesoyet,decidetodecide![45]
SeektheLord’shelpastoseektodeveloptacticalplanstohelpyouaccomplishyourgoals.Thereisnoonewholovesyoumoreandismorecommittedtohelpingyou.Committowhatyouneedtodoandfollowthrough.ThesweetpsalmistofIsraelwrote,“CommitthywayuntotheLord;trustalsoinhim;andheshallbringittopass.”[46]WiththehelpoftheLord,Hewill“giveuntoyousuccess.”[47]
8.Doitwillingly. OnhiswaytoCarthage,JosephSmithknewthathewouldnotreturn.“Iamgoinglikealambtotheslaughter,butIamcalmasasummer’smorning;IhaveaconsciencevoidofoffensetowardsGod,andtowardsallmen...Anditshallyetbesaidofme—hewasmurderedincoldblood.”[48]HebroughthiswillinsubjectiontothewillofHeavenlyFather.Isnotthatoneofthepurposesoflife,tobringourwillsinlinewiththewilloftheFather?Weknowwewilleither“bendtheknee”willinglyofourownfreewillandchoice,orwewillbecompelledtodoitwhenHecomesagain.[49]Eitherway,wewillcometorecognizeChrist.
GeorgeAlbertSmithwasshowingvisitorsaroundSaltLakeCity.TheywereexpressingsadnessthatthesaintshadbeendrivenoutoftheirbeautifulcityofNauvoo.George’sanswerwasinstructive:“No,notatall.Wecameherewillingly,becausewehadto!”[50]Aswethinkonthesethings,realizehowmuchbetteritistodothethingswillinglythatweneedtodobecausewehavefaithinChristandareseekingtoobeyHiscommandments.
9. Communicate. Letothersknowwhatyouaredoing, sharing your vision, goals and plans.Therearetwopurposeshere.First,inourexperience,embarrassmentsometimesismorepowerfulthanguiltinmotivatingustoaccomplishmore.Shareyour vision, goals and plans withyourspouse,childrenandfriends.Letthemknowofyoursuccessesandfailures.Asweletothersknowwhatwedesiretoaccomplish,theycanhelpustoaccomplishourgoalsandgiveusincreasedmotivationtodowhatweshould.
Second,asweshare our vision, goals and plans withothers, wegivethempermissiontoworkontheirown vision and goals as well.Theymaybethinkingabouttheverythingsyouhaveshared,andassuch,youhavehelpedthemintheirlives by widening their vision.Asyousharewithothers,yougivethempermissiontocatch similar visions and goals forthemselves.
CreateyourVisionwithConfidence
Onceyouhaveyourvision,goals,tacticalplans(orthespiritualcreation),itisimportantthatyouworkyourplanwithChrist’shelptocreatethephysicalcreation,theactualaccomplishmentofyourvisionandgoals.YoubringChristintoyourpersonalfinancesasyouembrace grace and work beyond your natural abilities, shareyourvision,trytodoyourbest,andrememberyourcovenantsandpromisedblessings.
10. Try to do your best. TheLorddeclaredtotheProphetJosephSmith,“VerilyIsayuntoyou,[thegiftsofGod]aregivenforthebenefitofthosewholovemeandkeep...mycommandments,and[forthem]thatseekethsotodo.”[51]For us,“seekingsotodo”issometimesall we canoffer. We are appreciativethat we don’thavetobeperfect,but we dohavetotry.JeffreyR.Hollandsaid,
Aren’tweallthankfulforthataddedprovision“and…seekethsotodo”!Thathasbeenalifesaverbecausesometimesthatisallwecanoffer!WetakesomesolaceinthefactthatifGodweretorewardonlytheperfectlyfaithful,Hewouldn’thavemuchofadistributionlist...Itsaysagainandagainthatwearegoingtobeblessedforourdesiretodogood,evenasweactuallystrivetobeso.[52]
Healsoencouragedandpromiseduswhenhesaid,
Ifgospelstandardsseemhighandthepersonalimprovementneededinthedaysaheadseemsoutofreach,rememberJoshua’sencouragementtohispeoplewhentheyfacedadauntingfuture.“Sanctifyyourselves,”hesaid,“fortomorrowtheLordwilldowondersamongyou.”[53]Ideclarethatsamepromise. . . . ItisthepromiseofthisChurch.ItisthepromiseofHimwhoperformsthosewonders,whoisHimself“Wonderful,Counsellor,ThemightyGod,...ThePrinceofPeace.”[54]OfHimIbearwitness.OfHimIamawitness.[55]
AswebringChristintoourfinances,andstrivetoobeyHiscommandments,Hewillblessandstrengthenussothatwetrulywillsee“theLorddowondersamong[us].”
11.EmbraceGrace. DieterF.Uchtdorfdefinedgraceas“thedivineassistanceandendowmentofstrengthbywhichwegrowfromtheflawedandlimitedbeingswearenowintoexaltedbeingsof“truthandlight.”[56]Wewillneedhishelpifwearetoaccomplishwhatweshouldaccomplish.
Remember,weaknessesarenotpenaltiesfromGod;rather,weaknessesaresteppingstonestobecomemorelikeHim.Hegivesusweaknessessothatwewilllearntobehumble,toovercomethem(andourselves),andtobecomemorelikeHim.Ethertaught:
Andifmencomeuntome[Christ]Iwillshowuntothemtheirweakness.Igiveuntomenweaknessthattheymaybehumble;andmygraceissufficientforallmenthathumblethemselvesbeforeme;foriftheyhumblethemselvesbeforeme,andhavefaithinme,thenwillImakeweakthingsbecomestronguntothem.[57]
Alongwithourweaknesses,weshouldrememberthatGodalsogaveusournaturalabilities. SinceHegavethemtousaswell,ifweseekHishelp,Hecan,throughHisgrace,helpustoworkbeyondthem.Wehavebeencounseled,“Youcanperformbeyondyournaturalabilities;youcanaccelerateyourlearning—providingyouliveinaccordancewithGod’scommandments.”[58]DavidA.Bednarexplainedthesourceofthispower:“TheenablingandstrengtheningaspectoftheAtonement[ofJesusChrist]helpsustoseeandtodoandtobecomegoodinwaysthatwecouldneverrecognizeoraccomplishwithourlimitedmortalcapacity.”[59]RichardC.Edgeleysaid,
Someburdensthatwearecalledtobeararesoheavythatwecanonlyconquerthemthroughhumility,submissiveness,andcontrition.Thatsoundslikeacontradiction,doesn’tit—gainingstrengthandpowerthroughhumility,submissiveness,andcontrition.Butthatisoneofthegreatironiesoflife—wecanreceivepowerbeyondournaturalabilitybysubmittingourwilltotheFather.[60]
Asyouriseeachmorning,talkwithHeavenlyFatheraboutwhatyouwilltrytoaccomplishthatdayaspartofyourpersonalprayeranddailycreation.SeekHeavenlyFather’shelpinplanningandpreparingfortheday,thenlistenforHisguidanceandcounsel.LeavewithaprayerinyourheartthatyouwillfollowHisguidanceanddowhatisnecessarytoaccomplishthatgoaltoday.ContinueprayingandseekingHishelpthroughouttheday.
Then,inyourprayerattheendoftheday,reviewwithHeavenlyFatherwhatyoudid,yourphysicalcreationforthatday,givingthanksforwhatyouwereabletoaccomplishandhumblyseekinghelpandguidanceforthethingsyouhaveyettodo.AsyoucounselwiththeLordinallyourdoings,youcanhaveHishelpandHisguidancetohelpyouaccomplishthem.
12.Cleavetoyourcovenantsandpromisedblessings. TheLordhassaid“Wherefore,liftupthyheartandrejoice,andcleaveuntothecovenantswhichthouhasmade.”[61]Weallmakecovenantsatbaptism,atthesacramenttable,andintheLord’stemples.Thesecovenantsaretwo-waysacredpromiseswithGod,whereifwefulfilloursideofthecovenant,HepromisestofulfillHis—andHewillalwaysfulfillHispromises.Wefindpeace,contentmentandsafetyaswecleavetothosecovenants.Wehavebeencounseled,
Iurgeeachonetoqualifyforandreceiveallthepriesthoodordinanceyoucanandthenfaithfullykeepthepromisesyouhavemadebycovenant.Intimesofdistress,letyourcovenantsbeparamountandletyourobediencebeexact.Thenyoucanaskinfaith,nothingwavering,accordingtoyourneed,andGodwillanswer.Hewillsustainyou.[62]
Aswecleavetoourcovenants—ourpromisestoGodandHispromisestous—wecanhavefaiththatGodwillsustainusandhelpusinourrighteousdesiresandgoals.
Finally,toooftenwefocusonthedifficultiesofthethingswearedoingandfailtoremembertheLord’spromisedblessingstohelpus.TheLordcounseledtheprophetanduswhenHesaid:“Andrememberalsothepromiseswhichweremadetoyou,ifyoudidnottransgressthem.”[63]ThefollowingarejustafewofHispromisedblessingsthatweneedtokeepinmind.Mosiahtaught,
Andmoreover,IwoulddesirethatyeshouldconsiderontheblessedandhappystateofthosethatkeepthecommandmentsofGod.Forbehold,theyareblessedinallthings,bothtemporalandspiritual;andiftheyholdoutfaithfultotheendtheyarereceivedintoheaven,thattherebytheymaydwellwithGodinastateofnever-endinghappiness.[64]
Youshallbe“armedwithrighteousnessandwiththepowerofGodingreatglory.”[65]Youshall“inheritthekingdomofGod...[and][your]joywillbefullforever.”[66]TheLordwill“bewithyouandwillstandbyyou.”[67]“Noneshallstay[you].”[68]TheSaviorwill“gobeforeyouand...beinyourmidst,andyoushallnotbeconfounded.”[69]“Nothingshallprevailagainst[you].”[70]“Powershallrestupon[you];thoushalthavegreatfaith,and[He]willbewith[you].”[71]He“willuphold[you].”[72]He“willtakecareofyourflocks.”[73]Youwillbe“receivedintoastateofhappiness,whichiscalledparadise,astateofrest,astateofpeace,where[you]willrestfromall[your]troublesandfromallcareandsorrow.”[74]“Greatshallbeyourblessing—yea,evenmorethanifyoushouldobtaintreasuresofearth.”[75]
He“willsendupon[you]theComforter.”[76]He“willgobeforeyourface.[He]willbeonyourrighthandandonyourleft.”[77]Hisangelswillbe“roundaboutyou.”[78]You“shallhavegreatfaith.”[79]Youwillbe“enabledtokeep[God’s]laws.”[80]You“[shall]haverevelations.”[81]“Yoursinsareforgivenyou.”[82]Andmostimportantly,you“shallbemaderich. Behold,hethathatheternallifeisrich.”[83]
Summary
InconsecratingourfinanceswiththegospelofJesusChristasourguide,wetrulydohaveabiggerhammer.AsweinviteChristintoourpersonalfinances,wecanhaveHislove,help,andsupporttoaccomplishwhatweneedsowedon’t“livebelowourpromisesandprivileges.”ButweneedtodoitHiswayasweprepare,write,plan,andcreateourfutures.
AswedowhatHewouldhaveusdo,bringingChristmoreintoourpersonalfinanceswillhelpusbecomemorelikeHim.Mormoncounsels,“Bewiseinthedaysofyourprobation;stripyourselvesofalluncleanness;asknot,thatyemayconsumeitonyourlusts,butaskwithafirmnessunshaken,thatyewillyieldtonotemptation,butthatyewillservethetrueandlivingGod.”[84]IfourvisionandgoalsarewhatGodwouldhaveusaccomplish,thenwecanknowthatwehaveHishelptodowhatmustbedone.
AsyoustrivetobringChristintoyourfinancesandyourlife,yourSaviorwillreachoutandhelpyouaccomplishthethingsthatyoushoulddobutcouldnotdowithoutHishelp.HehaspromisedthattherewillnotbeanycommandmentsHehasgivenyou“saveheshallprepareaway...that[you]mayaccomplishthethingwhichhecommandeth[you].”[85]
Asyouprepare,havefaithinChrist,learnwisdom,liftyourthoughts,andcatchthevision,youwillcometounderstandandknowGod’swillforyouandthatHecanhelpyoudoallthings.
Asyoutakethatvisionandfromitwritedownyourgoalsprayerfully,youwillhaveGod’shelptoknowthethingsyoushouldbeworkingonandmovingtoward.
Asyoudevelopplanstoachieveyourgoals,counselwiththeLord,decidetodecide,writeitdown,anddoitwillingly. Thenthe“spiritualcreation”ofwhatyouandGodwantyoutoaccomplishwillcometolife.
Finally,asyoucreate,shareyourvision,workbeyondyournaturalabilities,trytodoyourbest,andcleavetoyourcovenantsandthepromisedblessings,youwillhavetheSavior’shelptobeabletoaccomplishthe“physicalcreation”—yourtemporalandspiritualgoals.Asyoudoso,youwillnotonlybringChristmoreintoyourfinancesandaccomplishyourindividualandfamilygoals,youwillbecomemorelikeourSaviorJesusChrist.
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[1]Dallin H. Oaks, “Spirituality, Ensign, November 1985.
[2] M. Russell Ballard, “Return and Receive,” April 2017 General Conference Afternoon Session,
[3] Neil L. Anderson, “Faith is not by Chance, But by Choice,” Ensign, November 2015.
[4] Dallin H. Oaks, “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1994.
[5] 3 Nephi 18:20.
[6] Oaks, Ibid.
[7] Amos 3:7.
[8] Ted R. Callister, “The Power in the Priesthood in the Boy,” Ensign, May 2013.
[9] Gal. 3:26.
[10] Spencer W. Kimball, “Proclamation on the Family,” 1995.
[11] Romans 8:17.
[12] Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ(Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1978), 133.
[13] Anonymous.
[14] Ether 12:5.
[15] Ether 12:19.
[16] Nelson Mandela.
[17] Quoted in Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill, 1960, p. 40.
[18] M. Russell Ballard, “Return and Receive,” General Conference Afternoon Session, April 2017.
[19] D&C 4:5.
[20] Ibid.
[21] D&C 11:20.
[22] “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, November 1995.
[23] Tad R. Callister, “Our Identity and Our Destiny,” BYU Speeches, Aug. 14, 2012.
[24]John H. Groberg, “What is Your Mission,” New Era, January 1987.
[25] D&C 43:34.
[26] Boyd K. Packer, “Little Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 16.
[27] Moroni 7:22.
[28] Spencer W. Kimball, “Proclamation on the Family,” 1995.
[29] Psalms 24:1.
[30] D&C 136:27.
[31] Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (2003), 208.
[32] Alma 12:14.
[33] Moses 1:39.
[34] D&C 29:35.
[35] D&C 88:118, 109:7.
[36] Alma 37:35.
[37] D&C 136:32-33.
[38] Anonymous.
[39] M. Russell Ballard, “Return and Receive,” General Conference Afternoon Session, April 2017.
[40] Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854.
[41] Alma 37:37.
[42] D&C 88:63, John 16:24, Moses 6:52 and 3 Nephi 27:29.
[43] Spencer W. Kimball, “When the World Will Be Converted,” Ensign, September 1984.
[44] Ibid.
[45] Spencer W. Kimball, “Boys Need Heroes Close By,” Ensign, May 1976, 45.
[46] Psalms 37:5.
[47] Alma 26:27.
[48] D&C 135:4.
[49] Mosiah 27:31.
[50] Boyd K. Packer, “Follow the Rule,” Speech to BYU, January 14, 1977.
[51] D&C 46:9.
[52] Jeffrey R. Holland, “Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You,” Ensign, May 2016.
[53] Joshua 3:5.
[54] Isaiah 9:6.
[55] Holland, Ibid.
[56] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign, May 2015.
[57] Ether 12:27.
[58] Carlos E. Asay, “Would You Sell?”, Ensign, May 1985.
[59] David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign and Liahona, Nov. 2004, 77.
[60] Richard C. Edgley, “Behold the Man,” Ensign, October 1999.
[61] D&C 25:13.
[62] D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009, p. 22.
[63] D&C 3:5.
[64] Mosiah 2:41.
[65] 1 Nephi 14:14.
[66] 2 Nephi 9:18.
[67] D&C 68:6.
[68] D&C 1:5.
[69] D&C 49:27.
[70] D&C 32:3.
[71] D&C 39:12.
[72] D&C 93:51.
[73] D&C 88:72.
[74] Alma 40:12.
[75] D&C 19:37-38.
[76] D&C 79:2.
[77] D&C 84:88.
[78] D&C 84:88.
[79] D&C 39:12.
[80] D&C 44:5.
[81] D&C 28:8.
[82] D&C 31:5, 36:1, 60:7, 62:3.
[83] D&C 6:7, 11:7.
[84] Mormon 9:28.
[85] 1 Nephi 3:7.