As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes casually called the Mormon church), we believe in prophets. Prophets are men who are called by the Lord to lead and guide His children while they live on this earth.
Just like a very technical piece of equipment comes with an instruction manual, life too has come with an instruction manual of sorts: prophets.
The Bible even speaks of prophets in very specific ways. For example, in Amos 3:7 we read:
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
I’m so grateful to know about the Lord’s spokesmen. They existed in ancient times; they exist now. To learn more about prophets, feel free to visit Mormon.org.
One area in particular for which I’m very grateful are the words our prophets have spoken regarding preparedness, especially financial preparedness. While so many in the world appear to voraciously seek for more and more goods, fancier cars, and bigger homes, here is what the Lord’s spokesmen have said about all of this:
“We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. . . . If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts.”
—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances, Feb. 2007, 1
A few years back prior to the “dot com” financial explosion and before the housing market implosion, back when things were going great for the stock market, etc., our prophet was declaring the same thing as stated above. He urgently admonished people to get their financial affairs in order, because he saw a portent of stormy weather ahead.
Some may have shrugged and went about business as usual. But others who heard him took the instructions to heart and began clearing debt, etc. Now flash forward some years and where does the economic situation of the world rest? On stormy waters indeed.
Well, Christmas is one week away as I write this. There are still many who flurry about, trying to find Christmas gifts for loved ones. I just offer one thought: perhaps the best gifts are those that come from the heart and not from a store.
So as you make your final preparations for Christmas morning, make sure you ”
Although I think many children might raise an eyebrow at a “Love” coupon book (instead of a remote car), but as the months go by, they might feel otherwise. If you follow through with coupon after coupon of time spent playing games, reading books together, and having walks together … by the end of the year they just might enjoy Christmas 2007’s gift from you the best of any Christmas ever. Kids want time with Mom and Dad practically more than anything (they just don’t say it).
I’m not saying not to purchase gifts at all. But I do know that when we hearken to the prophets’ words in all they say (and follow through), we are always grateful later. So make sure you have a Merry Christmas this year … just don’t get yourself in debt doing it!
