After thinking about and answering in your own mind the following questions, copy the next question below [these questions] into a word document and write a well-crafted essay, which answers the question below. Include a thesis, a body of evidence, and a conclusion.
What is entitlement?
How could the spirit (sin) of entitlement affect you?
How does the principle of self-reliance apply to you?
How can you avoid becoming a “gullible gull?”
From a gospel perspective, what is the role of work in our life?
What is the “law of the harvest?”
How does Bro Lenhart link it to economic virtue?
What is the connection made here between economic virtue and adultery?
How can you implement each of Elder Christensen’s four suggestions?
What are the basic principles of welfare that never change?
What does it mean to live an economically virtuous life?
Journal Question Lesson 7
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, you have covenanted to be honest in your dealings with your
fellowmen. For many in the world, and maybe even for some members of the
Church, however, business is business and church is church — suggesting that
there may be a difference between church honesty and business honesty. Describe
how the terms “unequal distribution of wealth” and “economic virtue” relate to
you as an individual Church member. Reflecting on your own work and church
experiences, describe how you strive, and think others should strive, to show
integrity on a daily basis. Be sure to provide some specific examples (either
hypothetical or real) to demonstrate your ideas.”
Marion G. Romney has said: “Self-reliance and the spirit of entitlement cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” [i] My friend, Suzy Somebody, is gorgeous. Her clothes, jewelry, and makeup are impeccable and her electronics always the latest and greatest. Near the end of a lesson on self-reliance, she interjected several comments into the discussion about “to be or not to be, to have or not to have.” A BYU devotional by Elder Utchdorf, suggested in the lesson material, contained several corrective concepts for the ideas she posed. I wrote the title, “The Reflection on the Water,” on the board and invited everyone to listen to it, or watch the video, when they got home because it explains why “to be or not to be” is NOT the question, and how to overcome several problems discussed. Suzy immediately demanded I provide her with his statements. I didn't. She was fairly incensed that she would be expected to turn her tablet on and find it herself if she wants access to the tantalizing quote I explained. She wanted the material, all of it (organized and prepared), and wanted it provided instantly, without any effort on her part. These kinds of attitudes often result from an uneven distribution of wealth or knowledge, and thereby some individuals or groups begin to think they are better, or more deserving, than others.
In America today the
spirit of “entitlement,” to gain “something for nothing” with “maximized
benefits for minimal responsibility” is rampant.[ii] Many
seem willing to abrogate their agency and give power to anyone appearing to
offer to mitigate the consequences of selfish choices. “Often those who succumb
to the spirit of entitlement feel superior to those around them, or believe
certain rules should not apply to them, or that they should not be required to
do what everyone else has to do. They believe they are entitled to special
treatment and special privileges. They want something for nothing.” [iii] This overall apathy, laziness, and lack of virtue is
what contributes to greed and selfishness, and destroys the fabric of society and
government. In 1987, Thomas S. Monson emphasized President Heber J Grants
October 1936 teachings: “Work is to be
re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership.”[iv]
In 2010 Elder
Christoffersen taught, “God has designed this mortal existence to require
nearly constant exertion. . . . By work we sustain and enrich life. . . .Work
builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our
service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work . . .
that improves, orders, sustains, lifts,
ministers, aspires.”[v]
As an individual, if I divide honesty into
selective compartments, places, or time periods I demonstrate hypocrisy on the
most fundamental personal level. When individuals, and those in positions of
power and influence, consistently have and demonstrate selfish motives, public
virtue fails along with their personal virtue. If, however, individuals seek to
learn and always maintain “not merely hard work but also thrift, integrity,
self-reliance, and modesty,”[vi] their choices and
actions align with and reflect true principles and ideals, such as Christ-like
compassion and charity.
The entire purpose
of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and auxiliary precautions is to “secure to
each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of
property, and the protection of life.”[vii] “The
Constitution is really just a blueprint for the creation of good government.”[viii] Even such excellent guidelines can fail, however, if
personal and public virtue are not practiced. “Public virtue is characterized
by a spirit of humility, justice, decency, honesty, and fairness, but it also
includes a willingness to participate in, and a feeling of responsibility for, the preservation of good government.”[ix] John Adams
wrote, “Virtue in a society . . .[renders] public good an object and an end . .
. by putting every one upon consideration and diligence, resolution and
self-government.”[x] National crises have repeatedly
demonstrated, “Public virtue acts to moderate and restrain the American
character and remains absolutely essential to controlling the operations of
government and in maintaining liberty. . . . If virtue declines too far, the
constitutional system is in danger of collapse and the life of the Union is
indeed threatened." [xi]
An “important component of virtue is the
desire to be honest and compassionate and to give of oneself to help others.
Without an attitude of an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay on the part
of employees, and a willingness to do unto others as they would have done unto
them on the part of employers, the market system would descend into a spirit of
economic terrorism. Individuals, groups, and businesses become more determined
to seek the full extent of their economic self-interest, selfishness and greed.”[xii]
“The Church’s official declaration of belief
states: ‘We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of
man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them. . .
. ‘We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective
governments in which they reside’ (D&C 134:1,5). Those who enjoy the blessings of liberty under
a divinely inspired constitution should promote morality, and they should
practice what the Founding Fathers called “civic virtue.” In his address on the
U.S. Constitution, President Ezra Taft Benson quoted this important observation
by John Adams, the second president of the United States: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral
and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” James
Madison, stated there must be “‘sufficient virtue among men for self
government.’ He argued . . . it is part of our civic duty to be moral in our
conduct toward all people. There is no place in responsible citizenship for
dishonesty or deceit or for willful law breaking of any kind.” [xiii]
“Gratitude is the great antidote," taught
BYU-Idaho President Kim B Clark, "the
great protection against the spirit of entitlement. What we need is deep
gratitude for the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be drenched in gratitude for
Him so that we ‘confess . . . his hand in all things (D&C 59:21)’ and ‘live in thanksgiving daily for the many
mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon [us] ( Alma 34:38).’ . . . Three
things we can do to engender a spirit of gratitude in our lives [are] pray with
real intent, partake of the sacrament with our hearts and minds focused on the
Savior, and worship in the temple with thanksgiving. If we pursue these three
sacred opportunities with full purpose of heart, we will have the spirit of
gratitude in our lives and we will be protected from the spirit of
entitlement.”[xiv]
We also have many opportunities to serve
others and donate to humanitarian relief efforts. As we sacrifice to bless the
lives of others we demonstrate our recognition of the source of our own
blessings, and gratitude for them. “In addition to paying an honest tithing, we
should be generous in assisting the poor," Elder Joe J Christensen taught
in May 1999, "How much should we give? . . . C. S. Lewis . . . said: ‘I am
afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. … If our charities
do not at all pinch or hamper us, … they are too small. There ought to be
things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure
excludes them.’[xv] There are many worthy individuals and causes to which we
might contribute. We should give generously to the fast offering and
humanitarian funds of the Church. And, if we desire our families to live lives
of depth and meaning, we must have the courage to examine honestly where our
treasures lie and avoid the pitfalls that result from greed, selfishness, and
overindulgence.”[xvi]
