Doctrine and Covenants 70:14

"Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld."
Doctrine and Covenants 70:14


This is so interesting.  I love that God tells us that we need to be equal in temporal things, and especially like the "and this not grudgingly" part.  It reminds me of D&C 56:16-17 that we went over previously.  Both the rich and the poor need to work at the whole equal thing.  BOTH not grudgingly. :)  If we're rich, we should give to others and not worry about how the other people are going to use "our" money or that we're so much more industrious and better because we have money and they don't.  Non-grudgingly... not worrying about whether people less well-off than we are are just kicking back, expecting handouts.  There are plenty of people without that mentality that truly need help, and God will work out the difference.  And on the other side, if we're poor, then we need to make an effort to do whatever they can to make ends meet... again, non-grudgingly.  Yes, some people have it easier, and don't need to work as hard to survive.  Some people inherit their prosperity.  But it isn't up to us to judge, to steal what others have if they aren't willing to share it, or to rely on the government to support us.  God asks us to be self-reliant, and if it is possible, we should be, rather than being covetous and wanting what other people have so much that we will make poor choices to get it.  ... in the end, we're brothers and sisters.  If someone in our families needed something, wouldn't we make a sacrifice to help out?  God asks us to do the same with our neighbors.  And maybe it takes practice to do it non-grudgingly.  But what a reward... as we learn to make that effort, to give, to work, to be equal with each other, then we will feel an outpouring of the spirit... in abundance.  We'll have spiritual manifestations regularly.  I don't know about you, but the times when the spirit speaks to me are the most precious of my life.  The times when I feel like I get a little glimpse of heaven, and of eternity, and of everything that truly matters.  And to have that more often... I would give anything.  ...And I should. :)  Today, let's all do as God asks and equalize ourselves a little.  Whatever we have to offer: riches, time, pride, effort... whatever it is.  Let's lay it on the altar, and give it to God.  And in return, he'll bless us abundantly. :)  And not only that, but we'll be closer to being at peace with our fellow beings, to not resenting them because they have more, or less, than we do.  We'll be closer to learning to internalize Zion, and being ready to live in a Zion society.