DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 104

◦The sin of selfishness - why is it so contrary to the Gospel???

D&C 104:1-4D&C 104:11-12,18

“The Lord’s way consists of helping people help themselves. The poor are exalted because they work for the temporary assistance they receive, they are taught correct principles, and they are able to lift themselves from poverty to self-reliance. The rich are made low because they humble themselves to give generously of their means to those in need” (Elder Wirthlin, “Inspired Church Welfare,” Ensign, May 1999, 77).

◦Doctrine and Covenants 104:5-9: “The Buffetings of Satan”

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

Telestial Buffetings

◦What are “The Buffetings of Satan”?

What is “it”?

It never sleeps nor sickens nor dies;

it works on Sundays and holidays;

it never takes a vacation;

it takes no pleasure;

it never loses employment;

it never pays taxes;

it has neither wife, children, father, mother, nor kinfolk to watch over and care for;

it has no love, no sympathy;

it is as hard as a granite cliff….

It is your companion every minute of the day and night;

Whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you…

(Elder J. Reuben Clark, Improvement Era, vol. 41, June 1938, 328).

Doctrine and Covenants 104:78-80

“If there is any one thing that will bring peace and contentment into the human heart, and into the family, it is to live within our means, and if there is any one thing that is grinding, and discouraging and disheartening it is to have debts and obligations that one cannot meet; (President Heber J. Grant, Relief Society Magazine, May 1932, 302)” (C.R., April, 1979, 56).

Average Credit Card Balance in the United States?

$15,950$200 credit card payment each month vs $200 savings each month: drawing 12% interest/year, in 25 years, would net…

$1,354,930

How to Get Out of Debt!

https://screen.yahoo.com/dont-buy-stuff-000000884.html

Do you like to borrow money? How do you feel toward those you are in debt to?How do you feel toward those who are in debt to you?

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "In the financial operations of the Church, we have observed two basic and fixed principles: One, the Church will live within its means. It will not spend more than it receives. Two, a fixed percentage of the income will be set aside to build reserves against what might be called a possible 'rainy day.' "For years the Church has taught its membership the principle of setting aside a reserve of food, as well as money, to take care of emergency needs that might arise. We are only trying to follow the same principle for the Church as a whole" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1991, 74; or Ensign, May 1991, 53–54).

Five principles for money:

1.Live within your income.2.Use a budget.3.Regularly save.4.Use your credit wisely5.Plan ahead.

DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 104