SEEDS OF PROSPERITY

1. SEEDS OF PROSPERITY

2. President Gordon B. Hinckley No matter our financial circumstances, we want to improve them. This, too, is good if it is not carried to an extreme. I am satisfied that the Father of us all does not wish His children to walk in poverty. He wants them to have comforts and some of the good things of the earth. In the Old Testament, He speaks of "a land flowing with milk and honey," of the fatlings of the flock, and of other things which indicate that He would have His children properly fed and clothed and sheltered, enjoying the comforts that come of the earth, but not to excess. It is when greed takes over, when we covet that which others have, that our affliction begins. And it can be a very sore and painful affliction. I commend to you the virtues of thrift and industry. In doing so, I do not wish you to be a "tightwad," if you will pardon that expression, or to be a freeloader, or anything of the kind. But it is the labor and the thrift of people that make a nation strong. It is work and thrift that make the family independent."

3. Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Worship God: Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray 32:9 More Than Once Each Week Pray For: 34 Heading: Pray for Spiritual and Temporal Blessings 32:23 Imparteth his word by angels to women and children 34:24 Cry Over Crops That we may prosper in them

4. Personal Responsibility Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility 32:13 Repent - Inspired change 32:20 Work – Will bring the blessings 32:27 Experiment on the word 34:53 Do not procrastinate

5. Inspiration Model - Desire to believe - Hope - Faith - Knowledge Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility Inspiration Model - Perfect Knowledge Answers not all at once 32:36 - Ye cannot know of a surety at first D&C 111:11 - order blessings as fast as you are able D&C 52:14 - A pattern in all things

6. The Atonement of Christ . . . after all we can do II Nephi 25:23 Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility Inspiration Model Atonement fills our gaps

7. Pray for and serve others Pray for the welfare of those around you Alma 34:27 Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility Inspiration Model Atonement fills our gaps Pray for and serve others If ye are not charitable ye are as dross Alma 34:29

8. Be Gratefulfor what is already yours . . . that ye live in thanksgiving daily Alma 34:38 Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility Inspiration Model Atonement fills our gaps Pray for and serve others Be Grateful

9. The Complete Plan - Needs - Wants They did minister unto them according to their wants – Alma 35:9 Listen and Connect – Worship and Pray Personal Responsibility Inspiration Model Atonement fills our gaps Pray for and serve others Be Grateful The Complete Plan - Tools They did give unto them lands for their inheritance Alma 35:9

10. Luke 19 Multiply Resources • Zaccaeus • … a man that is a sinner • … “I give half of my goods to the poor” • … Taken anything by false accusation – I return four fold • … Jesus to Zaccaeus – this day is salvation come to this house • Nobleman and ten servants who he gave ten pounds • … The first gained ten pounds – Well done thou good and faithful servant – have thou authority over ten cities • … The second gained five pounds – Be thou also five cities • … Another laid his pound in a napkin for “I feared” – who gavest thou my money into the bank

11. D&C 104:78-80 Pay Your Debts • It is my will that you shall pay all your debts • THE CHALLENGE • … your diligence • … humility • … prayer of faith • THE PROMISE • … will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt • … shall send means unto you for your deliverance • … will give you the victory • THIS ONCE - Obtain this blessing by: - I: - I will deliver you out of bondage

12. Helaman 12:2-3 Stage 1 • … when he doth prosper his people • In the increase • Of their fields • Their flocks and their herds • In gold, and in silver • In all manner of precious things of every kind and art • Sparing their lives • Delivering them from their enemies • Softening the hearts of their enemies • Doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people

13. Helaman 12:2-3 Stage 2 • … then is the time • They do harden their hearts • Do forget the Lord their God • Trample under their feet the Holy One • Yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity • … except the Lord doth • Chasten his people with many afflictions • Doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence • … They will not remember him Stage 3

14. D&C 70:7 To the Storehouse - We Give Our EXCESS • … inasmuch as they receive more than their NECESSITIES and their WANTS • … it shall be given into my storehouse • Brigham Young – “I had never seen so many cows you could not milk, horses you could not ride and land upon which you could never plant”

15. Diligence – Haste - Discipline • Proverbs 10:4 • The hand of the diligent maketh rich • D&C 64:33 • Be not weary in well doing • Laying a foundation of a great work • Out of small things proceedeth that which is great • Proverbs 28:22 • He who hasteth to be rich: • Hath an evil eye • Considereth not that poverty shall come upon him

16. Diligence – Haste - Discipline • D&C 111:11 THE CHALLENGE • Be wise as serpents • And yet without sin THE PROMISE • I’ll ORDER the blessings in your behalf • AS FAST as - Gain and utilize knowledge - Be obedient ye ARE ABLE to receive them

17. The ‘Others’ in Prosperity • Jacob 2:17 • Think of your brethren like unto yourselves • That they man be rich like unto you • D&C 78:6 • If ye are not equal in earthly things • Ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things • Alma 34:27 • Cry unto the Lord . . . For the welfare of others • D&C 82:19 • You are to be equal . . . • Every man according to his wants and needs . . . • Inasmuch as his needs are just • Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor