Remember in All Things the Poor

Mormon described the Nephites in a time of wickedness with these words: “They did trample under their feet and smite and rend and turn their backs upon the poor and the meek, and the humble followers of God” (Helaman 6:39). One of the indications that a society has turned to wickedness is their treatment of the poor. A couple chapters previously Mormon explained that a major reasons that the Nephites lost the Spirit of the Lord to preserve them was their mistreatment of the poor: “And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked” (Helaman 4:12). Alma gave us this important question to ponder: “Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?” (Alma 5:55) To turn our backs on the poor is to do nothing. It is not an active opposition to the poor, but rather a passive dismissal that there is anything we need to do to help those in need. It is certainly easy for those who have a warm home and plenty of food to eat and nice clothes to wear to not even consider the struggles that so many have just to obtain those basic things. For example, “One in every five children in the United States is unsure where they will get their next meal”—that’s nearly 14 million children. And, of course, in other countries the problem is generally worse. The Book of Mormon encourages us to not turn our backs but to actively consider what we can do to help those in need around us.

               There is a strong connection between our spiritual well-being and the extent to which we seek to help those in need. King Benjamin invited his people in these words: “And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants” (Mosiah 4:26). If we want to retain a remission of our sins, we must impart of our substance to those in need around us. Our love for the Savior is reflected in our willingness to help the poor and needy. In the revelation described as “the law of the Church” the Lord said this: “If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments. And behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken. And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:29-31). As we increase our spirituality and love for the Savior, we naturally will seek to help all that we can. Another revelation summarizes this idea in these words: “And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:40).

               Each month as members of the Church we have the opportunity to fast, and this ritual connects the spiritual and temporal together. I have generally tried to use this as a chance to seek out additional help from the Lord, and we have sought to teach our children that they should accompany fasting with prayer for a specific person in need or for help with a specific problem they have. I believe that is good and we certainly should not fast without seeking more diligently the Lord in prayer at the same time. But I think I fail to consider often enough or to teach to my children adequately one of the key purposes of fasting—to help the poor and specifically those who are hungry. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sent a letter to the Saints in Nauvoo encouraging them to fast with these words: “Let this be an [example] to all saints, and there will never be any lack for bread: When the poor are starving, let those who have, fast one day and give what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops for the poor, and every one will abound for a long time. … And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance.” At least once a month we have institutionalized the opportunity to remember the poor, to not turn our backs to them, but to feel in some small measure what it means to go hungry and to offer something of what we have to help them. As we use this spiritual and temporal opportunity to give and to sacrifice, we can show our love to the Lord and our willingness to remember the poor as He has commanded.