The Law of Prosperity

M. Catherine Thomas in her book ‘Light in the Wilderness’ shares insights on prosperity… as to ‘how it all works’ (p.140-141):

The Law of Prosperity

The Lord has His own law of prosperity in His perfect economic system and it works this way: as a consequence for payment of tithes and offerings, we have the promise that we will have sufficient for our own needs and also enough to help others, plus spiritual guidance and divine intervention in our lives.

When the Lord says repeatedly in the scriptures, “If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but “If ye keep not [my] commandments, ye shall be cut off from [my] presence (Alma 37:13). He uses prosper to mean both spiritual and temporal enlargement through His enabling presence in the details of our lives. That the Lord intends prosper to mean both spiritual and temporal prosperity is clear from the scriptures, and in this following example we see the dynamic between caring for the poor and the increase in material goods:

“And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need…. in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry; … therefore they were liberal to all… whether out of the church or in the church…. And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church. (Alma 1:29-31)

We have yet another example of the Lord’s interest in our temporal as well as spiritual welfare, since all things are spiritual to the Lord (D&C 29:34-35). This scripture helps us realize the Lord’s continual involvement in our wellbeing, down to providing the very food on our plate, the very clothes, the roof, even to His going before us to prepare what we will need. His hands are tied only by our carelessness in observing the eternal laws of abundance and prosperity.

If it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness…. I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments. (1 Nephi 17:3,13)

Continued next: ‘Debt and Self-Reliance’

“Light in the Wilderness’ by M Catherine Thomas, Digital Legend Press, 2010.