As the Gospel Requires

Five years ago in general conference, President Nelson spoke about following the second great commandment. He related, “I will never forget my first visit to West Africa in 1986. The Saints came to our meetings in great numbers. Though they had little in terms of material possessions, most came dressed in spotless white clothing. I asked the stake president how he cared for members who had so little. He replied that their bishops knew their people well. If members could afford two meals a day, no help was needed. But if they could afford only one meal or less—even with family help—bishops provided food, financed from fast offerings. Then he added this remarkable fact: their fast-offering contributions usually exceeded their expenses. Surplus fast offerings were then sent to people elsewhere whose needs exceeded theirs. Those stalwart African Saints taught me a great lesson about the power of the law and the spirit of the fast.” I heard a similar story from Elder Richard J. Maynes who once spoke at a stake conference where I was lived. He likewise related to us how a stake president in Africa had described to him how they send their surplus fast offerings to those in more need than themselves once they make sure everyone among them has something to eat. Surely those of us living in more affluent countries have a lot to learn about love and giving and service from those faithful Saints. President Nelson quoted this admonition from the Old Testament: “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). The Savior may have been referring to this verse when He likewise remarked, “For ye have the poor always with you” (Matthew 26:11). Until we fully establish Zion like the city of Enoch—who indeed had “no poor among them”—then we can be sure that there will be those in need that we need to help (Moses 7:18). We should figuratively open our hand wide to share with and serve others as much as we can.

                As Mormon described Alma’s establishment of the church in Zarahemla, he highlighted the universality of the message for them in that day. He said, “Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God” (Alma 6:5). This phrase “liberal unto all” stuck out to me, and it applies not only to how we should share the word of God but how we should share what we have physically with others. Indeed, Mormon used the same phrase to describe how the Nephites a few years before had given to those in need: “And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need” (Alma 1:30). Paul used similar language as he wrote to the Corinthian Saints about giving: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver…. Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men” (2 Corinthians 9:7, 11-13). We too should have a “liberal distribution” of what God has given us and to give cheerfully to bless those in need around us. We are very focused in our society on saving for retirement, filling up our 401K accounts, and managing our investments to provide amply for ourselves now and in the future. There is surely some need for this, but I believe the best investment for our future financial well-being is to “learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires,” and we can be sure that the Lord will impart to us all that we need (Doctrine and Covenants 88:123).