The love which God has shown to us through Jesus Christ is so much greater than the love or response we give to Him.

". . .Zion, in process of time, was taken up. . ." D&C 36:3d

Even after the Lord had called His people Zion, Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. God’s people were in a growing process, going ". . .on unto perfection."

When we compare ourselves to the stature of the fullness of Jesus Christ, we realize at once our humble position and our need for His help and His mercy. But, we must not be discouraged by this realization. We must look to Him, the author and finisher of our faith and begin with new hope our growth towards Him.

If we are looking to Him we are not looking at others. If we are looking at Him then we are looking upward. When we embrace the truth and look upward then shall Zion look downward, and all the heavens shall shake with gladness and the earth shall tremble with joy.

His promise is to us, ". . .I will lead you along. . ." We must not only cling to the rod of iron but we must press forward while we hold to it if we are to partake of the Tree of Life.

Let us labor together and strengthen one another as we ". . .come up unto the crown prepared. . ." for us.

God gives ". . .to all life, and breath, and all things;" (Acts 17:25). He provides for us out of His bounteous love which He has for all His creation. He looks to His people to fulfill the measure of their Creation and RESPOND by giving to Him their love and obedience.

"We love Him because He first loved us." We respond by using the breath of life which He gives to us to praise His name. We use the strength of our bodies to serve our fellowmen and bring them to Jesus Christ.

We consecrate our material possessions to Him in order that all might share in His abundance. All of life is a stewardship for which we must account to Him both in time and in eternity. We must use these gifts in the manner He has designed.

What can we give to Him as our offering? We can give a broken heart and a contrite spirit and a willingness to serve Him in sacrifice.

Let us look at some areas of Stewardship together and examine our response to Him.

God has given the Sabbath as a stewardship to us. It is one day in seven which we often call the Lord’s Day. We, as a people, have other days we set aside such as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, etc. On these days we seek to please mother or father and do something for them that is special. Should we not do the same for our Heavenly Father on His day?

Jesus said he sought only to do those things which pleased his father in heaven. God in turn was pleased with him and told him so. Every day was his Father’s day for Jesus. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the voice of our Heavenly Father telling us as he did Jesus, He was pleased with us also?

It pleases God when we set aside the Lord’s day as a holy day to Him. We go to His house to worship and praise Him and to hear His holy word. We go to fellowship with our brothers and sisters of like precious faith and to worship God in the ordinances of the church.

God commands us to gather together in His house each week. He wants us to learn and grow until every day is the Lord’s Day, until every day and every activity of life is dedicated to Him as was the life of His Son, Jesus Christ.

We are also blest with the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord on Wednesday evenings to discuss the welfare of our souls and pray and worship together.

We should feel like David of old when he exclaimed, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1).

It is certain we will give an account to our Heavenly Father of how we use the time He has given us.

QUESTIONS

1. Why was the Sabbath Day given to us? (D&C 59:2f-3a, 68:4d)

Answer____________________________________________

2. Are we supposed to engage in worldly activities on the Lord’s Day? (Isaiah 58:13,14)

Answer____________________________________________

3. Which priesthood are to counsel us concerning our attendance at the Lord’s house? (D&C 17:11a,b)

Answer____________________________________________

4. Is attendance optional if we want to please God? (Alma 4:6, Hebrews 10:25, Mosiah 9:58, 4 Nephi 1:13)

Answer____________________________________________

5. Should we be cheerful in our attitude? (D&C 59:4a, 119:6, 9c.)

Answer____________________________________________

6. Should necessary work be neglected on the Sabbath? (D&C 119:7)

Answer____________________________________________

7. What was Jesus’ custom on the Sabbath day? (Luke 4:16)

Answer____________________________________________

8. If we faithfully keep the Sabbath, what will it help us to do? (D&C 59:2f,g; Mosiah 9:56)

Answer____________________________________________

When God looked upon Adam and saw that he didn’t have a companion, He said, ". . .it was not good that the man should be alone." God then created Eve and joined her with Adam in the Holy Covenant of marriage. God was pleased with marriage and it was not His desire that any marriage should ever be broken.  Divorce is the result of Sin and Hardness of hearts. It causes heartbreak and tragedy for the man and woman and any children involved. God knew this and said, "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."

The members need to attend church regularly and the priesthood need to be in the members’ homes regularly to teach and counsel. This will enable early detection and solution of marital problems before the marriage is destroyed.  Each one must examine himself and ask, "What could I do to make my marriage and family happier?" One thing we can do as a family is pray and study together in our homes. We can also attend church together regularly. If we do all we can, God will do His part and bless our marriage and family.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the Holy Covenant made at marriage? (D&C 111:2a-d)

Answer_____________________________________________

2. What are the grounds for divorce as taught in the scriptures?

(Matt. 5:35,36, 19:3-9, 3 Ne. 5:79,80)

Answer_____________________________________________

3. If we have sinned by improper divorce or remarriage, what can we do? (D&C 42:7e)

Answer_____________________________________________

4. If we live in a home that is divided over religion, what is our duty? (1 Cor. 7:12-16, 1 Pet. 3:1-9)

Answer_____________________________________________

5. What are some scriptural guidelines for the husband and wife?

(Eph. 5:22-25, 1 Cor. 14:34,37, Prov. 31:10-31, Col. 3:18,19, 1 Pet. 3:7)

Answer_____________________________________________

Our children are a precious gift to us from God. They bring us great joy and pleasure as we watch them learn and grow.

It is our responsibility to teach our children the word of God and the Gospel so they will have a firm foundation on which to build their lives. The Word of God will light up the pathway of their lives.

The parents also have a responsibility to discipline their children and teach them prompt obedience to the parents’ instructions and also God’s laws.

If we truly love our children, we will take them to God’s house to worship regularly and pray with them in our homes that they may grow up in God’s way and not depart from it.

QUESTIONS

1. What should we teach our children? (Genesis 6:61-66, D&C 68:4a-f, Deut. 6:4-9)

Answer___________________________________________

2. If we teach this to our children faithfully, what is God’s promise to us? (Prov. 22:6)

Answer___________________________________________

3. What should our attitude be towards punishing our children when they sin? (Prov. 13:24, 23:13,14)

Answer___________________________________________

4. If we allow our children to fight and quarrel, who are they serving? (Mosiah 2:25-27)

Answer___________________________________________

5. If we teach our children and love them, what will be their response to us? (Prov. 31:28)

Answer___________________________________________

Our minds and bodies are "fearfully and wonderfully made." God gave to us intelligence in the day he created us and gave agency to man in the garden of Eden. He wanted man to use his intelligence to make righteous choices. God wanted Adam and us to choose to serve Him.

Our actions and words arise from our thoughts. Out of our hearts or minds come the issues of life. One of the hardest tasks we have is to keep a watch on our words or our tongue. But, if we watch our thoughts, it will be easier to guard our tongues.

Our minds need to be turned to our Heavenly Father in all things. If we meditate upon His word and His law, then our words and our thoughts will become like His. Then the words we speak will be a blessing to all who hear us and they will give glory to the God whom we serve.

QUESTIONS

1. Will we give an account to God for our thoughts? (Mosiah 2:49, Alma 9:22-24, D&C 85:19a)

Answer___________________________________________

2. Will we give an account to God for our words? (Matt. 12:31)

Answer___________________________________________

3. Why are our thoughts so important? (Prov. 23:7, Mark 7:20,21)

Answer___________________________________________

4. How does God feel about lust? (Matt. 5:30,31)

Answer___________________________________________

5. Is it difficult to control what we say? (James 3:1-18)

Answer___________________________________________

6. What seven things does God hate? (Prov. 6:16-19)

Answer___________________________________________

_________________________________________________

7. What should we think about? (Phil. 4:8, Alma 17:69)

Answer___________________________________________

As children of Zion, we look forward to a time of peace and harmony, a time when God’s kingdom will fill the earth.

There will no longer be any enmity between us and the lion will lay down with the lamb, and nothing will be hurt or destroyed in all the land.

Today, waste and destruction are widespread. Not only is the earth’s resources being wasted and misused but people everywhere are wasting and misusing their bodies with drugs, alcohol, and eating habits.

Often, those who suffer, willingly go against the advice and wisdom of doctors and scientists who have studied the human body and its needs.

It is a shame when mankind suffers due to designing men whose greatest concern is making a greater profit.

It is a greater shame to go against the advice and wisdom of our Heavenly Father who created our bodies and knows what is best for us.

We should anxiously seek His wisdom and follow it to the best of our abilities. When we do as He desires, He immediately blesses us and calls us ever upward to Him.

The great blessings promised to us only come if we obey Him. If we do not obey or follow His advise, He is not bound to help us.

Let us look at some scriptures and questions concerning the STEWARDSHIP of our bodies and begin to joyfully and willingly follow God’s instructions to us.

QUESTIONS

1. Who created men? (Gen. 1:27-29, Psalm 100:3, 119:73, Isaiah 29:28)

Answer___________________________________________

2. What principle is found in D&C 77:4a,b?

Answer___________________________________________

3. What are our bodies likened unto in 1 Cor. 3:16,17 and 2 Cor. 6:16?

Answer___________________________________________

4. Are we STEWARDS over our own bodies? (1 Cor. 6:19,20, Mosiah 2:37)

Answer___________________________________________

5. What defiles a man or woman? (Matt. 15:9,10, 16-19)

Answer___________________________________________

6. What sanctifies our food? (1 Tim. 4:1-5)

Answer___________________________________________

7. Why must we choose our food carefully? (Mormon 4:38, D&C 86:1a, 2 Tim. 3:1-4)

Answer___________________________________________

8. What about alcohol and tobacco? (D&C 86:1b-d, Prov. 20:1, 23:29-35)

Answer___________________________________________

9. Are coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other caffeinated soft drinks good for us? (D&C 86:1a,e) (also see appendix)

Answer___________________________________________

10. What do the scriptures teach us concerning meat?

A. D&C 49:3d,e, 1 Tim 4:1-4

Answer_________________________________________

B. D&C 86:2b, 59:5a, Prov. 29:30

Answer_________________________________________

C. Gen. 9:9-11, Psalm 50:10-12, D&C 49:3f

Answer_________________________________________

D. Isaiah 11:6-9

Answer_________________________________________

11. What counsel has God given us concerning sleep? (D&C 85:38b, 119:9a,b)

Answer___________________________________________

12. Should we fast? (Alma 4:6, Matt. 6:17, 9:15-17, D&C 85:21a)

Answer___________________________________________

13. Is there different ways of fasting? (D&C 59:3, Isa. 58:3-7, Exodus 35:27,28, Matt. 4:1,2)

Answer___________________________________________

14. What should we do if we become sick? (James 5:14, D&C 42:12c-f, 13, 119:9c)

Answer___________________________________________

15. What are the wonderful promises made in D&C 86:3c,d?

Answer___________________________________________

16. Read the following scriptures on clothing and cleanliness. What principles do they teach? (D&C 42:12a, 119:3c, 1 Tim. 2:9,10, 1 Peter 3:3,4)

Answer___________________________________________

17. Is cheerfulness important? (D&C 59:4a, 119:3a,b,9c, 2 Cor. 4:6,7)

Answer___________________________________________

18. Read Romans 12:1.

There are many good books and articles written about the "Word of Wisdom" and some are available at Herald House. We have included some information in the small appendix which follows. It includes an article written by Joseph Smith Jr. about the Word of Wisdom.

The following article is from the "Times and Seasons", volume 3, pages 799-801. It is written by Joseph Smith Jr. and is in part about a sermon preached by Pres. Hyrum Smith. But he also speaks first person at times and we have emphasized parts. This was written June 1, 1842 at Nauvoo, Illinois. It is entitled:

We had a very instructive, impressive, and salutary discourse delivered us in the City of Nauvoo, last Sabbath on the above subject, to a large and attentive congregation, by Pres’t Hyrum Smith.

He stated "that there were many of the commands of God that seemed to be overlooked by this generation, and he was fearful that many of the Latter Day Saints in this respect were following their old traditions, and former practices of spiritualizing the word of God, and through a vain philosophy departing from the pure principles of eternal truth which God had given by revelation for the salvation of the human family; but, that every word of God is of importance, whether it be the word contained in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, or in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, for ‘man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.’ The principles that are taught in the Bible are pure, and ought to be adhered to; and if people adhere to that teaching it will prove their salvation. The principles that are taught in the Book of Mormon are also pure, and holy and righteous, and will if followed lead men to God. And the principles that are taught in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, are from God, they are principles of righteousness;--they are given for a blessing to the human family, and the salvation, temporal and spiritual, of his saints; and that man who wantonly departs from any of the revelations of Jehovah, and treats lightly the word of God, whether contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, the Book of Mormon, or the Bible, is void of understanding: he is not wise concerning the doings of the Lord, the plan of salvation, the past dealings, present designs, or future purposes of the Almighty. The God of the armies of Israel is a wise God, he comprehended the end from beginning, and adapted his plans, his designs and teaching, to the peculiar wants, the local situation, the exigencies of mankind; and the present and future good of the human family; and every thing he has deigned to notice by way of instruction to the children of men, is given by infinite wisdom; by the intelligence of Jehovah; and if obeyed, when his designs shall be fully unraveled, it will be seen that there was wisdom in it beyond the comprehension of man in his present state.

When God first made man upon the earth, he was a different being entirely to what he now is; his body was strong, athletic, robust, and healthy; his days were prolonged upon the earth; he lived nearly one thousand years, his mind was vigorous and active, and his intellectual faculties clear and comprehensive, but he has become degenerated; his life has dwindled to a span; disease preys upon his system; his body is enervated and feeble; and his mental and intellectual faculties are impaired, and weakened; and man is not now that dignified, noble, majestic, honorable, and mighty being that he was when he first proceeded from the hands of his maker.

The Lord has in his wise designs revealed unto us his will; he has made known unto us his future purposes; he has told us as he did his ancient prophets that the ‘earth shall be redeemed--that the curse shall be removed from it--that the wolf and the lamb shall lie down together--that the lion shall eat straw like the ox;--and that they shall not hurt nor destroy--that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters covers the sea’--that man’s days shall be as ‘the days of a tree,’ that he shall again live one thousand years on the earth--this is the ‘time of the restoration of all things,’ and this has got to be brought about by the wisdom and power of God, and the wisdom, obedience and faith of man combined.

Every thing has become degenerated from what it was in its primitive state; ‘God made man pure, but he has found out many inventions:’ his vices have become innumerable, and his diseases multiplied; his taste has become vitiated, and his judgment impaired; he has fallen--fallen--fallen, from that dignified state that he once occupied on the earth; and it needs a restorative that man has not in his possession --wisdom which is beyond the reach of human intellect;--and power which human philosophy, talent and ingenuity cannot control. God only is acquainted with the fountain of action, and the main springs of human events; he knows where disease is seated, and what is the cause of it;--he is also acquainted with the spring of health; the balm of Gilead--of life; he knows what course to pursue to restore mankind to their pristine excellency and primitive vigor, and health; and he has appointed the word of wisdom as one of the engines to bring about this thing, to remove the beastly appetites, the murderous disposition and the vitiated taste of man; to restore his body to health, and vigor, promote peace between him and the brute creation, and as one of the littlewheels in God's designs, to help to regulate the great machinery, which shall eventually revolutionize the earth, and bring about the restoration of all things, and when they are restored he will plant ‘the tree of life, whose leaves shall be for the healing of the nations.’

The Lord has told us what is good for us to eat, and to drink, and what is pernicious; but some of our wise philosophers, and some of our elders too, pay no regard to it; they think it too little, too foolish, for wise men to regard--fools! where is their wisdom, philosophy and intelligence? from whence did they obtain their superior light? Their capacity, and their power of reasoning was given them by the great Jehovah: if they have any wisdom they obtained it from him: and have they grown so much wiser than God that they are going to instruct him in the path of duty, and to tell him what is wise, and what is foolish. They think it too small for him to condescend to tell men what will be nutritious or what will be unhealthy. Who made the corn, the wheat, the rye, and all the vegetable substances? and who was it that organized man, and constituted him as he is found? who made his stomach, and his digestive organs, and prepared proper nutriment for his system, that the juices of his body might be supplied; and his form be invigorated by that kind of food which the laws of nature, and the laws of God has said would be good for man? And has God made his food, and provided it for the use of man; and shall he be ashamed to speak of the work of his hands: has he become so fantastical, so foolish, so weak and effeminate, that it has become impolitic for him to tell what is the best distribution to make of the work of his hands? Oh shame! let it not be heard among the saints; let that man who inculcates such principles hide his face. We are told by some that circumstances alter the revelations of God--tell me what circumstances would alter the ten commandments? they were given by revelation--given as a law to the children of Israel;--who has a right to alter that law? Some think that they are too small for us to notice. they are not too small for God to notice, and have we got so high, so bloated out, that we cannot condescend to notice things that God has ordained for our benefit? or have we got so weak that we are not fit to be called saints? for the word of wisdom is adapted to the capacity of all that ‘are or can be called saints.’ Listen not to the teaching of any man, or any elder who says the word of wisdom is of no moment; for such a man will eventually be overthrown. These are principles that I have always acted upon; that I have always practiced; and they are what my family practices; they are what Brother Hyrum has always contended for, and what I now contend for; and I know that nothing but an unwavering, undeviating course can save a man in the kingdom of God.

The Lord has told us that ‘Strong drinks are not good,’ who is it that will say they are? when the Lord says they are not.. That man who says ‘I can drink wine or strong drink, and it not hurt me,’ is not wise. But some will say, ‘I know that it did me good, for I was fatigued, and feeble, on a certain occasion, and it revived me, and I was invigorated thereby, and that is sufficient proof for me:’ It may be for you, but it would not be for a wise man, for every spirit of this kind will only produce a greater languor when its effects cease to operate upon the human body. But you know that you are benefited, yes, so does the man who has mortgaged his property, know that he is relieved from his present embarrassments; but his temporary relief only binds the chords of bondage more severely around him. The Lord has not ordained strong drink for the belly; ‘but for the washing of your bodies.’ And again ‘tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly; and it is not good for man; but as an herb for bruises, and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.’ Tobacco is a nauseous, stinking, abominable thing, and I am surprised that any human being should think of using it--for an elder especially to eat, or smoke it, is a disgrace to him;--he is not fit for the office, he ought first to learn to keep the word of wisdom, and then to teach others. God will not prosper the man who uses it. And again ‘hot drinks are not for the body, or belly;’ there are many who wonder what this can mean; whether it refers to tea, or coffee, or not. I say it does refer to tea, and coffee. Why is it that we are frequently so dull and languid? it is because we break the word of wisdom, disease preys upon our system, our understandings are darkened, and we do not comprehend the things of God; the devil takes advantage of us, and we fall into temptation. Not only are they injurious in their tendency, and baneful in their effects, but the importation of foreign products might be the means of thousands of our people being poisoned at a future time, through the advantage that an enemy might take of us, if we made a use of these things that are thus spoken of as being evil; and be it remembered--that this instruction is given ‘in consequence of evils that do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men.’

‘And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature and use of man. Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof. All these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I the Lord hath ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving. Nevertheless, they are to be used sparingly; and it is pleasing unto me, that they should not be used only in times of winter or of cold, or of famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man, and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man, but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; and these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine, and excess of hunger.’

Let men attend to these instructions, let them use the things ordained of God; let them be sparing of the life of animals; ‘it is pleasing saith the Lord that flesh be used only in times of winter, or of famine’--and why to be used in famine? because all domesticated animals would naturally die, and may as well be made use of by man, as not.

"All grain is good for the food of man, as also the fruit of the vine, that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground Nevertheless wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls, and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks; as also other grain. And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their naval, and marrow to their bones and shall find wisdom, and great treasures of knowledge even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; and I the Lord give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.’

Let these things be adhered to; let the saints be wise; let us lay aside our folly and abide by the commandments of God; so shall we be blessed of the great Jehovah in time and in eternity; we shall be healthy, strong and vigorous: we shall be enabled to resist disease; and wisdom will crown our councils, and our bodies will become strong and powerful, our progeny will become mighty, and will rise up and call us blessed; the daughters of Jesus will be beautiful, and her sons the joy of the whole earth; we shall prepare ourselves for the purposes of Jehovah for the kingdom of God for the appearance of Jesus in his glory; "out of Zion the perfection of beauty," God will shine; Zion will be exalted, and become the praise of the whole earth."

Thus spake the man of God, fired with heavenly holy zeal, for the welfare of the saints of the most high, who were assembled around him, in breathless silence, listening to the gracious words that fell from his lips, which we feel ourselves utterly incapable of doing justice to, in this brief sketch; and can only say that with boldness and firmness he expatiated freely and fully upon those principles opposing vice and error in its various forms; we are persuaded that his instructions will be indelibly engraven on the memories of thousands who listened to his discourse. Firm and unwavering in his principles, he has ever been the advocate of sterling integrity, righteousness and truth, and when we saw him exerting all his energies to impress upon the minds of the audience the importance of the thing that he advocated, it reminded us of the sayings of one of the ancient servants of God. "I will declare thy righteousness in the great congregation.’ OMEGA.

Our Heavenly Father created the earth and all things that are in the earth. He has entrusted the earth into the care of man but He is still the owner of all things. This makes us all stewards unto Him, and we will all give an account to Him of this STEWARDSHIP.

Parents are entrusted with children to love, teach and care for. They are wonderful gifts from God. Adults are given many possessions such as homes, cars, furniture and money. These all come from our Heavenly Father and He asks us to use them and care for them according to His plan. God provides the very breath we breathe and life itself that we may labor together for Him.

Children are in turn, entrusted with clothes, books, toys, musical instruments and money and they must take care of all these as their STEWARDSHIP.

God wants us to know and understand that all things belong to Him and we must learn to share what he has given us so everyone may have enough to live and enjoy life. When everyone has all they need for a happy and joyful life then they are equal in temporal things. This pleases God and He in turn blesses His people with an abundance of spiritual blessings and their lives are full and complete.

Zion will be like that--everyone having plenty and no one being poor or needy. Just think how much we as a church would have to share with others if we the members were giving all our surplus to the church to help others.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to grow by understanding His celestial law and then be ready to apply this law in our lives at every opportunity.

God shows to us His great plan for Zion in His wonderful scriptures and asks us to learn the plan by study and faith. He then gives us the steps to take to use His plan for the building of Zion.

What are those steps? When we actually begin to build the city we will do the following:

1. We will lay down all our possessions at the feet of the Bishop, thereby returning them to God.

2. We will be given back what we need for ourselves and our family.

3. We will be given a job or stewardship or placed in a stewardship order.

4. We will have a place to live according to our needs or the size of our family.

This is the true equality that God desires for us. When we do this, He will bless us with great spiritual blessings.

God has also told us how we may remain equal. When we work at our stewardship we will have more than we need for ourselves and our families. This is surplus and we give it to the storehouse regularly thereby remaining equal with each other. This process is called total consecration.

THIS IS QUITE A BIG STEP FOR US TO TAKE! We need to grow to the point where we are ready to do this. God wants to help us grow and get ready for this total consecration, so he gives us the opportunity to grow and learn by filing our tithing statements and paying our tithes.

It can be explained this way: When we file our first tithing statement we are beginning to acknowledge that our Heavenly Father has given us all that we have. To prove we believe this, we return to Him 1/10 in the form of tithes. Then instead of giving all our surplus, we give Him 1/10 of our Surplus or Increase on a regular basis. This isn’t much for Him to ask of us but it does help us to learn and grow and prepare for the building of the Holy City--God’s Kingdom here in Independence.

If God looked at our record of paying and filing our tithes so far, do you think he would say we are ready to begin building His city?

Tithing is not a hard job but a wonderful opportunity of telling our Heavenly Father--We want to learn and grow and be prepared to help build ZION!

If we do not file and pay our 1/10 we will never learn or be able to give our all, will we?

Tithing is the law of God to us. Can we willingly break God’s laws and expect to live in Zion or in the world to come with Him? No! We cannot.

Let us REPENT and begin to keep all God’s laws.

Here are some questions to answer from the Scriptures.

1. Do the scriptures teach us equality? (D&C 77:1c-f, 70:3d, 51:1b, Mosiah 11:153-155, 4 Nephi 1:1-4, Gen. 7:23, Acts 2:44,45, 4:34-37, 2 Cor. 8:14)

Answer___________________________________________

2. Who owns all things? (Psalm 24:1, D&C 101:2d, 10b, Mosiah 1:53-61, 2:37)

Answer___________________________________________

(On your own, look up Exodus 9:29, 19:5, Psalm 50:10-12, Psalm 89:11)

3. When we give a gift to God, what should our attitude be? (1 Chron. 29:11-16, Mosiah 2:28-37)

Answer___________________________________________

(On your own, read the words of hymn numbers 423 and 424)

4. Is simply acknowledging that "all things belong to God" enough? (Matt. 25:13-31, especially verses 24-27, D&C 81:4d-g)

Answer___________________________________________

5. By what law will Zion be built? (D&C 102:2c)

Answer___________________________________________

6. What are the benefits of keeping the Celestial Law? (D&C 43:3a,b, 85:5,8, Genesis 9:21-23)

Answer___________________________________________

7. Who will dwell with God the Father in eternity and where will they dwell? (D&C 85:4, 76:5 especially verse "J".

Answer___________________________________________

8. How will the saints possess the land of Zion? (D&C 102:8b)

Answer___________________________________________

9. In D&C 102:8b the Lord says "…laws of consecration which I have given…" Let’s look at this law in the scriptures:

A. What was the first step? (D&C 72:3e, 58:7a-c, Acts 4:34, 5)

Answer___________________________________________

B. What was the second step? (D&C 4:9)

Answer___________________________________________

C. What was the continuing third step? (D&C 42:10, 14b, 51:4a, 70:2b)

Answer___________________________________________

For further study on step "A", see D&C 106:1a, 2a, Church History vol. 1, page 300, Evening and Morning Star page 46 "To The Saints", page 61 "Let Every Man Learn His Duty", page 130 "Faith of the Church".

For further study on step "B", see D&C 57:3,6, 72:4a, Church History vol. 1, page 306, 307, 381, 300, Evening and Morning Star page 46, 61, Rules and Resolutions 851:6, 977:3.

For further study on step "C", see D&C 81:4f,g, 87:7, 106:1a, 2a, Rules and Resolutions 851:12.

10. Does being equal mean everyone will have a one bedroom home or all wear the same clothes? (D&C 51:1a,b)

Answer___________________________________________

11. Was the understanding of the early leaders of our church concerning consecration comparable to what has been presented in steps A, B, and C above? (Church History vol. 1, pages 300, 301, Joseph Smith Jr’s "Lectures on Faith" #6, Evening and Morning Star page 54 "Zion", page 61 "Let Every Man Learn His duty", page 9 third paragraph, pp 110, 111 and page 130 first five paragraphs.

Answer___________________________________________

12. Did Zion fail in 1833 because the people "MISUNDERSTOOD" or because they "DISOBEYED"? (D&C 83:8, 87:8b, 94:5f,g, 97:4, 98:3, 98:5k-m, 98:10c, 100:1b, 102:2,3a)

Answer___________________________________________

13. Will we have a "new law" to replace D&C 42 in the future? (D&C 122:6a-a, 129:8, Church History vol. 1 pages 259, 260.

Answer___________________________________________

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

Do you see now why we must begin to keep the law of tithing—to teach and prepare us for the greater law of total consecration? (D&C 102:3c)

Is our unwillingness to keep the financial law holding back Zion? (Mosiah 11:166)

If our prophet asked us for an even greater commitment, would we listen and really sacrifice? (D&C 81:1d, Psalm 50:5)