How Should We Account for Our Stewardships?

My Come Follow Me studies this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 102-105 in a lesson titled “After Much Tribulation … Cometh the Blessing.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

The Saints in Kirtland were heartbroken to hear that their brothers and sisters in Jackson County, Missouri, were being driven from their homes. It must have been encouraging, then, when the Lord declared that “the redemption of Zion” would “come by power” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:15). With that promise in their hearts, over 200 men and about 25 women and children enlisted in what they called the Camp of Israel, later known as Zion’s Camp. Its mission was to march to Missouri and redeem Zion.

To the members of the camp, redeeming Zion meant restoring the Saints to their land. But just before they arrived in Jackson County, the Lord told Joseph Smith to disband Zion’s Camp. Some members of the camp were confused and upset; it seemed the expedition had failed and the Lord’s promises were not fulfilled. Others, however, saw it differently. While the exiled Saints did not get their lands and homes back, the experience did bring a degree of “redemption” to Zion, and it did “come by power.” Faithful members of Zion’s Camp, many of whom later became leaders of the Church, testified that the experience deepened their faith in God’s power, in Joseph Smith’s divine call, and in Zion—not just Zion the place but Zion the people of God. Rather than questioning the value of this seemingly unsuccessful task, they learned that the real task is to follow the Savior, even when we don’t understand everything. This is how Zion, ultimately, will be redeemed.

This scripture block includes the following principles: (1) What is the purpose of membership councils? (Doctrine and Covenants 102:12-23), (2) Zion can be built only on principles of righteousness (Doctrine and Covenants 103:1-12, 36; 105:1-19), (3) Blessings come after trials of faith (Doctrine and Covenants 103:12-13, 36; 105:1-6, 9-19), and (4) The Lord has made me a “steward over earthly blessings” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:11-18, 78-83).

This essay will discuss the last listed principle about being stewards over earthly blessings. First, we will look at the scripture block, Doctrine and Covenants 104:11-18, 78-83.

11 It is wisdom in me; therefore, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man his stewardship.

12 That every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him.

13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.

14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.

15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.

16 But it must needs be done in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.

17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.

18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

78 And again, verily I say unto you, concerning your debts—behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts.

79 And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence and humility and the prayer of faith.

80 And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.

81 Therefore write speedily to New York and write according to that which shall be dictated by my Spirit; and I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, that it shall be taken away out of their minds to bring affliction upon you.

82 And inasmuch as ye are humble and faithful and call upon my name, behold, I will give you the victory. [Emphasis added.]

83 I give unto you a promise, that you shall be delivered this once out of your bondage. [Emphasis added.]

The Saints living in Missouri faced numerous trials in 1834, and the Church faced financial difficulties, including heavy debts and expenses. It was under these circumstances that the Lord gave counsel on how to solve the problem of the Church’s financial situation. This counsel can be applied to our individual financial decisions.

We are each steward over the circumstances of our lives. For example, my husband and I have a house on a small piece of land and a couple of vehicles. We both have college degrees representing knowledge and skills that can be applied for earning money. We have other assets. We are responsible for keeping our physical properties in good condition and to use it properly. We are responsible for keeping our training current and using our knowledge to bless our lives as well as the lives of our immediate family and other people in general. All our assets belong to the Lord, to whom we must account for how we use them. We must pay our debts and keep our property debt free