Some Investments That You Can Count On

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2008

PRINCIPLES: “Let this be an example to all saints, and there will never be any lack for bread: When the poor are starving, let those who have, fast one day and give what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops for the poor, and everyone will abound for a long time; and this is one great and important principle of fasts approved of the Lord. And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance.” – The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Letter to Church members in Nauvoo, May 17, 1845, found in HC 7:413.

“The leading and [principle] object of the institution of the fast among the Latter-day Saints, was that the poor might be provided with food and other necessities. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every Latter-day Saint to give to his bishop, on fast day, the food that he or his family would consume for the day, that it may be given to the poor for their benefit and blessing; or, in lieu of the food, that its equivalent amount, or, if the person be wealthy a liberal donation, in money be so reserved and dedicated to the poor.” – Joseph F. Smith, Improvement Era, Dec. 1902, p. 148.

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“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? . . . Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." – Isaiah 58:6–8.

In the April 1974 Conference Report, President Kimball suggested that those of us who have wealth be very generous with our fast offerings, giving as much as ten times the value of two meals.

Elder Marion G. Romney, in a July 1982 Ensign article entitled “The Blessings of the Fast,” encouraged us to give for our own blessing, indicating that consecrating our means to the building up of the Kingdom of God is one of the requirements we must meet to enter Heaven.

PRACTICES: In this time of great financial uncertainty and stress, not many safe havens exist. But here are two investments you always can count on: tithing, and fast offerings. The Lord always pays us back in full, with substantial interest, one way or another. Using our means to generously support the Lord’s welfare program when it is in our power to do so is one of the principles of self-reliance. The Lord offers us great blessings in return. Each of us will need His blessings in the last days.

See also http://dmppp.blogspot.com/. For more info, see http://scriptures.lds.org/mal/3 , particularly verse

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Image credits:
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Couple with bread: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/natlib/afc2001001/afc-legacies/ND/200003255/i0001.jpg

Writing a check: www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/fed_prog/navigating/write_check.jpg