One of the more prominent parts of the Book of Mormon that talks of helping the poor among us is from the book of Jacob. Jacob was a prophet among the nation of the Nephites (the “father” of their nation was Nephi, who left Jerusalem in the year 600 BC, 13 years before the city was destroyed by the Babylonians) who was commanded to tell the people to repent of their ways and return to God. One of the sins that the Nephites were struggling with was pride. Many of them believe that because they had more money and riches compared to others, that they were better than the poor. Jacob tells them that this is a false assumption, and that everyone is equal to each other. He tells them that if they do seek for riches, that the riches should be used “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 afflicted” (Jacob 2:19).

By paying tithing and fast offerings Church members help provide for the Church’s needs and for the poor and needy.

As members of the Church today we try to do this. One of the ways we do this is a “fast offering” fund. A fast offering fund is where members of the Church, or anyone who wants to participate, donate money to the cause of helping others that are going through financial struggles. By doing this, those who need the money will receive it. What is amazing is 100% of the money donated is given to the cause of those in need. Now-a-days, many charities only give a portion of the money donated to the actual cause. With our Fast Offerings, 100%, and no less, goes to those who need it. We also have what is called tithing, where members give 10% of all their income to the effort to help build our Church. It is used to build more church buildings, and things of that nature. None of the money donated ever is given to our clergymen; they do not have salaries at all. They do not get paid a penny for all the time and effort they put into helping out the Church.

My parents, after each paycheck they get, pay both tithing and fast offering. Because of this economy, everyone has had a hard time, my family included. We moved in the summer of 2007, around when the house market started to fall. Over 5 years later, we have yet to sell our old house, making it sometimes hard to pay bills for two houses. No matter how tight money got, we would always pay 10% for tithing, and what we could for fast offering. Because of this, we have ALWAYS been able to pay each monthly bill. It is because God blessed us that we have been able to get through these five years. I know that if we use our money for the right purposes, God will bless us, and help us out. I know this Church is true. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that if we choose to do the right, we will be blessed.

This article was written by Laura R., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When we put spiritual things first, we will find that we will still have enough time to make everything work.

As a new freshman in college, I often feel the stress of assignments and tests. Quite often, I think of skipping church activities or not fulfilling my church responsibilities to the fullest. I notice that when I skip these things, I can get the work done, but I will be easily distracted and the quality of the work will be less than satisfactory. When I do take the time to put spiritual matters first, I find myself more focused and motivated when I come back to do my work. Things usually work out for the better when I set aside a little time to put church before everything else in my life.

Jacob, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, also spoke to his people on this same matter. Jacob’s people were becoming wicked and prideful in their riches and success. They did not realize that God was the reason for their success, so they boasted of their own greatness and thought that they were better than less wealthy people. Jacob taught them a great lesson. In Jacob 2:18-19, he said, “before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good.”

When we seek for the kingdom of God, we do everything we can to come closer to Jesus Christ. We follow God’s commandments, we study the life of Christ through the scriptures, we repent when we make mistakes, we give up material goods to give to others instead, and we do everything we can to become like Christ. We will be able to accomplish the things that God intends for us if we put Him first in our lives.

If we do these things, we will obtain riches. However, these riches may not always be in the form of worldly wealth. Riches can be in the form of talents that we use to bless other people’s lives. Riches can also be the heavenly reward waiting for us after this life. Riches can also be success in jobs. It is important to realize that if we truly seek for the kingdom of God and obtain hope in Christ, we will not want these riches for our own monetary gain. We will seek to bless others’ lives with the riches that we gain, no matter what form they come in. We will truly “seek them for the intent to do good.”

I have seen so many blessings in my life in direct correspondence to my obedience to the will of God. I am truly grateful for those blessings. I hope that I can follow Jacob’s teachings and bless the lives of others through the things that I gain from my Heavenly Father.

This article was written by Kristen B., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Book of Mormon teaches that men are that they might have joy. (See Jesus Christ, gave us commandments that, when practiced for the right reasons in the right spirit, would allow us to live a joyful life even in times of trials.

Brigham Young was asked how he governed such a large group of people. He responded that he taught them correct principles and then let them govern themselves. Mormons today are taught basic principles and are expected to apply them to the larger world. When faced with a situation not explicitly covered by a commandment, they study it in relationship to what they know overall of the gospel and then make a choice.

Many commandments are designed to keep us morally and physically safe. For instance, Mormons are known for their health code, called the Word of Wisdom. This health code includes a prohibition against alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. It encourages the use of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and suggests moderation in the use of meat. Although this was an odd way of living when the commandment was given by revelation from Joseph Smith in the 1800s, today science has caught up to revelation and agrees that this is indeed a healthy way to live. Following the statement of Brigham Young about governing ourselves, Mormons are also reminded to make other healthy choices, even if they aren’t specified in the commandment.

Mormons have a strict code of morality. Both men and women are counseled to practice the law of chastity. Intimate relationships are not permitted outside of marriage, even if the person never marries. Teenagers are taught to avoid dating until they are sixteen and then only in groups until they are adults. This helps to protect their morality and also helps them to finish high school.

Service to others is a critical part of the commandments. Jesus Christ taught us to give of both our time and resources to others. Mormons do this through church programs, but also give in their personal lives as well.

An example of a church program designed to help Mormons give is the fast offerings program. The first Sunday of each month is designated as Fast Sunday. The previous afternoon, Mormons who can safely do so begin a twenty-four hour complete fast-no food or drink of any kind-and donate the money saved by missing those two meals and snacks to a special fund that is separate from other church funds. It goes to help those in their congregation who are in need of food or other charitable help. While many can afford to give the money without experiencing any real sacrifice, the requirement to come up with the money by being hungry for a day causes them to think more carefully about what it would mean to be hungry all the time, and increases their ability to be compassionate.

Mormons are taught to be as self-reliant as possible, even while knowing the church can help when they’ve done all they can do for themselves and their families. To this end, they work to store at least a year’s supply of everything they would need should they experience unemployment, death of the wage-earner, or other challenges to their budget. This might not let them maintain their previous lifestyle, but it will allow them to feed their family and pay their bills during the crisis. When times are tight, they have the security of knowing they will be okay.

Mormons are commanded to get education, both formal and informal. This is part of their self-sufficiency plan, as a formal education can make it easier to have a career. Women, who are encouraged to remain in the home to raise their children, are also commanded to get an education and to be prepared to care for their families should the need arise, such as in the death or disability of the wage earner. In addition to the formal education, Mormons are encouraged to continue a life-long process of learning in both secular and spiritual realms. They’re taught that whatever they learn in this life will carry on into the next.

Family is central to Mormon teachings. Husbands and wives are commanded to love and care for each other, and together they are commanded to love and care for their children. No matter how busy their lives might be, families are taught to make their family life a priority, and to spend time together.

Each Monday night, Mormon families stay home, without friends, and hold Family Home Evening. During this time, they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, resolve family concerns, and have fun together. It ensures some meaningful family time each week and also allows parents a setting in which to share their testimonies and values.

Mormon families believe it is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children their religion and their values. Although the Church has programs to assist the parents, they are only assisting, not taking over. For this reason, Mormon families have daily family, couple, and personal prayers, as well as daily scripture study as a family and as an individual. During this time, parents show their children what they believe and demonstrate, through both words and action, how to live what they believe.

Prayer and scripture study are critical aspects of Mormon commandments. Prayer allows each person to communicate with God and to build a personal and loving relationship with Him. It’s a way to seek answers for the help we need and also to thank God for the blessings we’ve received. Scripture study helps us to learn the commandments. Mormons are taught to read the Bible, as well as the restoration scriptures, and to apply the teachings to their everyday lives.

There are more commandments than can be listed here, but these are a sampling of the commandments Mormons follow in order to live a Christ-like and meaningful life. These commandments safeguard morality and health, promote a loving family, and prepare us to live again in the presence of God.

The Mormon Church operates through a lay priesthood model with a few exceptions. Church officers call members to serve in a leadership position without compensation for a specific period of time and without any special training or degrees. These members continue their employment and serve in the Mormon Church while not working. These individuals accept callings and do so as part of their commitment to the Jesus Christ, knowing that at some point they will be released from their leadership role and that another local member will be called to take their position. One day a person can serve as a bishop (a leader in a local unit) and the next day be released and called to teach children.

However, a small number of Mormon Church leaders who are called to full-time service receive a “living allowance.” They did not obtain any special training or degrees and did not apply for a position. When called by Mormon Church officers they leave their full-time employment and generally move to a new location to fulfill their new assignment as directed by their leaders. Those called to full-time service include about 350 mission presidents, who serve for a three-year period and, about 100 General Authorities, who serve full-time from Mormon Church headquarters for various lengths of time. Of this last group, fifteen prophets, seers, and revelators serve until they die. Some General Authorities are independently well-off financially and do not need an allowance. The current practice of providing an allowance to a limited number of individuals for a specific period allows the Church to call people from a larger pool than those who are well-off financially. Once mission presidents and some General Authorities are released from their callings, they return to their employment or move wherever they choose. Upon their return, they are often called to serve as lay leaders in the local Mormon Church organization.

Money for living allowances comes from the income produced by businesses in which the Mormon Church has an ownership interest. To this point, at least, tithing has not been used for this purpose. The amount of mission presidents’ stipends depends on needs and circumstances (missions in New York City and London are more expensive than other places). Interestingly, all General Authorities receive the same allowance: the President of the Mormon Church receives the same as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. That said, there is a little extra for the few who have dependent children (x dollars per child). The living allowance is intended to permit a comfortable but modest lifestyle.

The Church’s living-allowance model is based on various scriptural references to “the laborer being worthy of his hire,” a principle that applies both to spiritual and temporal matters (see Doctrine and Covenants 24:3, 7,9; 41:7; and 42:70-73).

Additional Scriptures

D&C 106:3

And devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.

Mosiah 18: 26

And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.