Sunday, February 19, 2012

Does being righteous mean we get material blessings?

Leviticus 26 sure makes it seem so.  Here's the first line of the chapter heading: "Temporal and spiritual blessings will abound in Israel if the people keep the commandments."  The Book of Mormon is also full of examples.  Here's one example:
Alma 48:15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;
But on the other hand, bad things happen to good people.  And there are lots of poor righteous folks.

At Stake Conference this weekend, our Stake President gave a talk about how the Gospel doesn't exist to change the path we walk, to make it easier, but to change us as we walk it.  The Book of Mormon has examples of that, too.  Here's one:
Mosiah 24:15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
Is that an example of "prospering" or a "temporal and spiritual blessing" that abounds when you're righteous?

I've certainly felt those blessings as I've tried to give my agency back to the Lord and work to accomplish His will.  But my income is actually less than when I wasn't doing that as well.  But I wasn't as happy.  If prospering means being cheerful, patient, and blessed, instead of rich, that's a pretty good trade.

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