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Salt Lake City, UT – With news stories about bank failures, stock market decline, and the doom and gloom of economic decline prominently in the minds of many, a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered advice during the Saturday session of the 178th Semiannual General Conference that was broadcast to the 13-million-member church in thousands of congregations around the world.
"We urge all Latter-day Saints to be prudent in their planning, to be conservative in their living, and to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt. The financial affairs of the Church are being managed in this manner, for we are aware that your tithing and other contributions have not come without sacrifice and are sacred funds," said President Thomas S. Monson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believed to be a prophet of God by members.
"We can´t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "but we, as persons of faith and hope, know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and ´the best is yet to come.´"
He told of a time in his younger life when he was under stress because of problems with his employment, and a serious illness of his wife while living in Massachusetts.
"This was one of those times when it felt like adversity had mounted a frontal assault against me and my family. On days when the stresses and anxieties of our tumultuous life were about to get the best of us, my wife and I found a way to relieve them," explained Elder Perry.
He told of how he and his wife traveled to Walden Pond, made famous in the book of the same name written by Henry David Thoreau. He said that Thoreau learned from his experiences at Walden Pond that there are four basics needs – food, clothing, shelter, and fuel.
He reminded Latter-day Saints of a belief in what is known as the "Word of Wisdom," referred to by many as the "Mormon Health Code." It comes from what is believed to be a revelation from God to a living prophet giving guidance on which foods are good and which are bad. It also advises that illegal drugs, coffee, tea, and alcohol, and tobacco are bad for the human body and should not be consumed.
"For the Strength of Youth," a booklet that is given to Latter-day Saint teenagers, states: "Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost."
He also spoke of the need for modest clothing, and to avoid worldly trends. "With their latest styles many fashion designers appear to be trying to make two or three dresses out of the amount of fabric necessary for one," he commented.
He repeated the counsel given to members for many years from many Latter-day Saint leaders to stay out of debt and live within income levels. "Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor´s big home across the street," said Elder Perry.
He said he would leave to others the discussion of the high cost of fuel and energy, but would instead talk of spiritual fuel.
"The Lord has given us a beautiful plan about how we can return to Him, but the completion of our mortal journey requires spiritual fuel. We want to emulate the five wise virgins who had stored sufficient fuel to accompany the bridegroom when He came (a parable from the book of Matthew in the New Testament)," said Elder Perry.
"In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test – to return and live with our Heavenly Father," he concluded.
"We urge all Latter-day Saints to be prudent in their planning, to be conservative in their living, and to avoid excessive or unnecessary debt. The financial affairs of the Church are being managed in this manner, for we are aware that your tithing and other contributions have not come without sacrifice and are sacred funds," said President Thomas S. Monson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believed to be a prophet of God by members.
"We can´t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner," said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "but we, as persons of faith and hope, know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and ´the best is yet to come.´"
He told of a time in his younger life when he was under stress because of problems with his employment, and a serious illness of his wife while living in Massachusetts.
"This was one of those times when it felt like adversity had mounted a frontal assault against me and my family. On days when the stresses and anxieties of our tumultuous life were about to get the best of us, my wife and I found a way to relieve them," explained Elder Perry.
He told of how he and his wife traveled to Walden Pond, made famous in the book of the same name written by Henry David Thoreau. He said that Thoreau learned from his experiences at Walden Pond that there are four basics needs – food, clothing, shelter, and fuel.
He reminded Latter-day Saints of a belief in what is known as the "Word of Wisdom," referred to by many as the "Mormon Health Code." It comes from what is believed to be a revelation from God to a living prophet giving guidance on which foods are good and which are bad. It also advises that illegal drugs, coffee, tea, and alcohol, and tobacco are bad for the human body and should not be consumed.
"For the Strength of Youth," a booklet that is given to Latter-day Saint teenagers, states: "Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost."
He also spoke of the need for modest clothing, and to avoid worldly trends. "With their latest styles many fashion designers appear to be trying to make two or three dresses out of the amount of fabric necessary for one," he commented.
He repeated the counsel given to members for many years from many Latter-day Saint leaders to stay out of debt and live within income levels. "Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor´s big home across the street," said Elder Perry.
He said he would leave to others the discussion of the high cost of fuel and energy, but would instead talk of spiritual fuel.
"The Lord has given us a beautiful plan about how we can return to Him, but the completion of our mortal journey requires spiritual fuel. We want to emulate the five wise virgins who had stored sufficient fuel to accompany the bridegroom when He came (a parable from the book of Matthew in the New Testament)," said Elder Perry.
"In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives. May we comply with the inspired counsel and direction the Lord has given us in the great plan of happiness. May we be worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and follow the guidance of the Spirit as we navigate this mortal journey. May we prepare ourselves to accomplish the ultimate purpose of this mortal test – to return and live with our Heavenly Father," he concluded.
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