By Wim van Klinken, Presiding Bishopric
Zionic conditions are no further away no any closer than the spiritual condition of my people justifies.
(Part 2)
[The Presiding Bishopric] strongly believes in the prophetic counsel given to us in Doctrine and Covenants 140:5c. Economic justice is an essential component of our spiritual condition. How we share determines the welfare of others, “for in their welfare resides your welfare” (Doctrine and Covenants 163.4a).
Let me be very clear; we do not have all the answers. Nor do we assume we even have come to understand the complexity of the issue. We are, however, on a journey to better understand the divine will for us as disciples. And we invite the church to journey with us.
At its core, economic justice ensures that all have the opportunity to thrive. This implies no disadvantages due to human-made barriers like gender, religion, or race. All people should be able to participate in society. But it also means that those who can’t are supported as well.
Taking care economically or financially is an imperative we find in all our three books of Scripture. Similar to the story in the book of Acts, the Book of Mormon relates the story of the Nephites and Lamanites, so filled with the Spirit of Christ, they lived two centuries without envying or strife. They simply took care of one another by sharing generously. Then pride, accumulating and displaying wealth, became their downfall.
The Hebrew Bible and the gospel message challenge us to take care of the poor. The Torah tells us about the commandments put in place to uphold a series of institutions to share our abundance with the poor. The sabbath was not just to worship God; it was instituted to not work and worship God by having the poor being able to harvest from abundant fields. Every seven years, the land should rest and lie fallow, so the poor may eat. It restrains the consumption of those who have and helps those disenfranchised. And every fifty years, the Jubilee year, the haves were summoned to release the debt of those indebted to them. Jesus embraced this ancient imperative when he stated his mission by quoting Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
These divine institutions are still applicable today, in an age where the rich, including most of us, grow their wealth, while the poor lack possibility partly because circumstances and institutions of the rich keep in place to protect themselves.
This is our struggle. The Presiding Bishopric does not have the answers, but we recognize the imperative from our holy scriptures. We recognize this new creation we envision requires changes, requires metanoia, a transformative change of heart, a spiritual conversion also in the economic realm. Journey with us; discover with us God’s call for our age and time. If we are to abolish poverty and end needless suffering, how do we not only bring relief, but also envision needed institutions that establish economic justice in our precious creation?
Prayer Phrase
“…share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
From Scarcity to Abundance
Take a deep breath and release your fear of “not enough.” Name one place of scarcity in your life, then name one way you already see abundance. Offer a simple prayer of gratitude: “God, open my eyes to your abundance.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.