Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Thirty-Seven

The Lord’s Own Way – D&C 104

Poor people as to the things of the world often humble themselves, receive the gospel, and join the Church – In the early days of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ most members were like the Zoramites who believed the words of Alma.  Those Zoramites “were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart” and “they were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.”  Alma “beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word”  (Alma 32:3-6).  This was a true principle at the time of Alma, and at the time of Joseph Smith, and it is true now.

The Lord makes us accountable as stewards to help those in need (see D&C 104:13) – “I, the Lord, stretched out the heaven, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.  And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine” (Vs 14-15).

Providing for those in need must be done in the Lord’s way which centers on agency, accountability, and equality –  The Lord’s way to provide for the poor is for those who “have” to willingly share with those who “have not.”  (See Vs 16)  This brings equality in the Lord’s Church.  Furthermore, there is enough for everyone:  “For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves” (Vs 17).

Not living “the law of my gospel” with respect to those in need will bring unhappiness (see Vs 18) – The law of the gospel as it relates to the poor and needy is to:  “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.  But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.  And after ye have obtained riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good – to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted” (Jacob 2:17-19).

Isaiah sets forth the blessings that come from living the law of the fast to help those in need –  “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 rearward.  Then shall they call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am….And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:8-11).

By helping those in need our prayers will be heard and we can retain a remission of our sins from day to day – King Benjamin taught:  “And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you – that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God – I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants” (Mosiah 4:26).  Amulek explained that we can do everything else but if we neglect those in need “your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith” (Alma 34:28).

In our day the Church welfare plan is the Lord’s way to provide for those in need – The Church welfare plan includes provident living, education, and many other principles that promote self-reliance. It also provides an inspired way to participate in the eternal principle of giving. In our day President Henry B. Eyring has expanded our understanding on how best to help those in need: "His way of helping has at times been called living the law of consecration. In another period His way was called the united order. In our time it is called the Church welfare program" (Ensign, May 2011).