Monday, November 11, 2013

PERSONAL PIETY

American Foundations is a class about the history and government of the United States of America. This week's unit is about the economic principles under-girding the nation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My assignment this week is to write an essay that answers the following questions:

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]




Lesson numbers refer to the American Foundations text.
 [i] Lesson 1, p. 13
 [ii] see Lesson 7 pp. 3-4, 15-16
 [iii] President Clark, BYU-Idano Devotional, 14 September 2010, Lesson 7, p. 4
 [iv] Lesson 7, p. 23
 [v] D Todd Christoffersen, October 2010, Lesson 7, p. 14
 [vi] Lesson 7, pp. 10-11
 [vii] Lesson 4,The Constitution As An Inspired Document, p. 12
 [viii] Lesson 5, Religion in America, p.23
 [ix] Lesson 1, Introduction Traditions and Principles, p. 5
 [x] Ibid, pp. 5-6
 [xi] Lesson 5, Religion in America, p.29
 [xii] Lesson 7, pp. 10-11
[xiii] (Lesson 4, Dalin H. Oaks, Ensign Feb 1992, pp. 8-9).
[xiv] President Clark, BYU-Idano Devotional, 14 September 2010, Lesson 7, pp.5-6
[xv] Mere Christianity (1952), 67.
[xvi] Elder Joe J Christensoen, Ensign, May 1999, Lesson 7, p. 22

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