Eternal Principles

Kids… A Texas teacher was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his cowboy boots. He asked for help and she could see why. Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn't want to go on. Finally, when the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost cried when the little boy said, "Teacher, they're on the wrong feet." She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on - this time on the right feet. He then announced, "These aren't my boots." She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, "Why didn't you say so?" like she wanted to. And, once again she struggled to help him pull the ill- fitting boots off his little feet. No sooner they got the boots off and he said, "They're my brother's boots. My Mom made me wear 'em." Now she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. But, she mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again. Helping him into his coat, she asked, "Now, where are your mittens?" He said, "I stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots."

Editor’s Note: The next slide is about tithing. Let the class discuss what it is he’s talking about.

Joseph F. Smith By this principle the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it. By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set on doing the will of God and keeping his commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion. There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful. In this respect it is as essential as faith in God, as repentance of sin, as baptism for the remission of sin, or as the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. For if a man keep all the law save one point, and he offend in that, he is a transgressor of the law, and he is not entitled to the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But when a man keeps all the law that is revealed, according to his strength, his substance, and his ability, though what he does may be little, it is just as acceptable in the sight of God as if he were able to do a thousand times more.--Apr. C. R.,1900, pp. 47, 48. What principle—and why?

Note; In the next slide, if they don’t know, have them look it up in the Book of Mormon

Savior to the Nephites Quotes 2 verses from the Old Testament Then says: “…these scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give them unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations. (3 Nephi 26:2) What Verses—and why?

Note: Here is a great chance to discuss exactly what do you have a right to expect when it comes to the ‘windows of heaven.” Could this refer more to spiritual blessings than we traditionally think….

Malachi Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Tragedy at Far West Failure of the Kirtland Bank (Safety Society) Joseph arrives at Far West Financial Problems The Local Presidency owned all the property Refused to provide Joseph with support The result? Few revelations (Joseph working) The siege and extermination order

Note: The goal of this next slide, indeed the goal of the entire lesson, is to have the class understand that obeying the law of tithing is part of our own sanctifying process.

Revelation to Joseph Smith D&C 119 VERILY, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion, 1) For the building of mine house, 2) and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, 3) and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church. Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you. And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you. How to we “sanctify” anything? By Covenant and by Sacrifice How did the Savior “sanctify” us?

President Heber J. Grant I have found a great many people who do not know what their tithing is. I have never met people of that kind but what I believe if I were in partnership with them and they had a tenth interest in that partnership, they would know pretty well what that tenth was. I do not think they would have any difficulty whatever in finding how much I owed them. So I am inclined to think that if we wanted to, we would have no difficulty in finding out what is one-tenth of our income, and that is what we owe to the Lord (Improvement Era, Jan. 1941).

Robert L. Simpson Now…down in New Zealand, let me tell you about a beautiful little white chapel located in Maromaku Valley. About twenty-five years ago Brother Matthew Cowley, who was then the New Zealand Mission president, wrote to President [Heber J.] Grant and his counselors telling them of this faithful branch of English members. He expressed a recommendation that because of their devotion and outstanding tithing record over many years, a modest chapel be built for them without local participation, entirely from the general tithing funds of the Church. Soon the answer came back that the recommendation was approved. Immediately a special meeting was called in the community schoolhouse, and for the first time these wonderful people heard what had transpired in their behalf. At first they just sat. No one seemed particularly elated by the news, and then, one by one, each family head stood to explain how he would be disappointed if he were not allowed to accept financial responsibility for a certain phase of the proposed chapel. Within twenty minutes, the entire amount had been subscribed to. These faithful people were in the habit of going the extra mile in helping to finance the needs of the kingdom, and this is the way they wanted it. You see, people overcome selfish desires as they practice the Lord's law of giving. (April, 1966)