Lesson for November 23, 2014

Today our lesson was given by Kristine Hanson about “Are We Not All Beggars?” (TFOT) by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. She started with a Thanksgiving quiz. Are you planning on giving a nice dinner? Did it cost more than $2.50? Can you turn on the water for a drink? Are your children looking forward to having some time off? Are you over 65 and planning a dinner? If someone gets ill can you take them to a hospital? Can you celebrate free of persecution? Are you safe to stroll around the neighborhood? Can you pay your mortgage or rent? If so, you are doing well and better than many people in the world. Elder Holland quoted Mosiah 4: 16-21 about all of us being beggars and the importance of helping the poor. We all depend on God for all we have. So, we ought to impart of our substance to the poor. We should cease withholding our means because they might have brought their circumstances on themselves. Our job is to help the poor no matter what the circumstances. We obtain a remission of our sins by applying to God, but we retain a remission of our sins by helping the poor. Some reasons people are poor is because of laziness, ignorance, lack of education, being born into poverty, oppressive governments, family obligations (little children, illness, etc.), poor choices, health issues, the agency of others that the poor person has no control of (layoffs, downsizing, general economy, stresses), physical capacity, mental stress, overspending, debt, lack of savings, addictions, divorce, death of a spouse, too high expectations, not a thrifty or frugal mindset, pride, procrastination, lack of charity (there is enough if we would share), sense of entitlement, war, famine, drought, natural disasters, keep up with the Joneses. We are so lucky to have been born into a place where we have opportunities, places to go, and education. The Lord has been very clear in all dispensations that we should help the poor. Like Ruth and Naomi stayed alive by gleaning the leftovers in the field. Jesus would have known first hand what poverty was. He relied on the generosity of others for his sustenance. He said even the foxes have a place to live, but not the Son of Man. Before this dispensation was even one year old, the Saints were ordered to not let the poor suffer. Elder Holland said he is not advocating panhandling, but we must do for ourselves what we can, and when we cannot do for ourselves, then we can ask for help. The formula is to do what we can, like Mother Theresa and the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet. Mother Theresa once told a reporter that her work was about love and not about statistics. Christianity is not a statistical endeavor. What can we do? We can make a difference for one, even if we can’t for all. We can pay tithing, so the outpouring of blessings will come. Jessica Lewis took her kids to Welfare Square and she’s amazed at how much our money does for the poor—how far it is stretched. When we all give a little, it adds up. We need to be generous. Linda Campbell said she doesn’t think she has ever been poor because of sharing with others. Kristine said Jon Huntsman was very poor and wanted to be rich to help others and he does. Joni Trewartha said we need to save for hard times and learn job skills and learn homemaking skills. Kristine said we need to teach our children thrift and frugality. Irma Lopez said she is grateful to know how to cook on very little. If we don’t have money, we have the opportunity to serve others through time and goods. If you give your friendship to someone, it helps someone who is struggling. Network with job leads. Vira said she is careful with where she gives, so she is sure the charities are credible. In President Monson’s biography, it tells about how he came home from a trip to Dresden Germany, he came home in his slippers, because he gave his suit and his shoes and his calculator and his coat and socks. President Monson started a clothing mission. He himself has given up to 10 suits a year to needy members. We may not have a lot of money, but there is something we can do. As we do this, blessings will come into our lives.