” These tabernacles are dull, subject to sin and temptation and to stray from the kingdom of God, and the ordinances of his house, to lust after riches, and pride of life and vanities of the world, and these things are prone to be uppermost in the minds of all; old and young, even Latter-day Saints.” We are not immune, because when the Lord said,”We will allow Satan, our common enemy, to try and to tempt,” he meant that this was the main trial and temptation, not an easy one. Naturally (Satan would) use the strongest, the most powerful pitch he could use, the most irresistible weapon in his arsenal, the one that is tried and true. “And I know that there is no man on this earth who can call around him property, be he merchant, tradesman, farmer, with his mind continually occupied with: ‘How shall I get this or that; how rich can I get;…no such man ever can magnify the priesthood nor enter the celestial kingdom….
…”If the Lord ever revealed anything to me he has shown me that the Elders of Israel must leave speculation alone,… otherwise they will have little or no power… The Latter-day Saints have a weakness for speculation… (and when) they turn their attention to money-making (they) soon become cold in their feelings toward the ordinances of the house of God. They neglect their prayers, become unwilling to pay any donations…. The providences seem to shut out from them — all in consequence of lust after the things of this world, do you think their minds are in a fit condition to be written upon by the pen of revelation?” Joseph Smith said, “God had often sealed up the heavens because of the covetousness in the Church.” ~Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion p.332
Years ago I found myself dabbling in speculation (and losing a bundle). A common element in such ‘opportunities’ were that the masses of people, who could little afford compromise and speculation, facilitated a very few getting fabulously wealthy. In the meantime a preoccupation with becoming wealthy created distance from the Lord and His purposes. The real point becomes I join ‘Babylon’ and estrange myself from God and His purposes anytime a hobby, pastime, deeply serious habit, distracts me from the Lord and His purposes for me… and for those who I might influence for good towards Him. kdm
