Independence, industry and thrift

Independence, industry and thrift.

These words were spoken at a general conference before I was born. It was an invitation to the members of the church. It was to help us to understand the principles we should take into our life to guide us through the challenges we will be faced with.

Independence
We are to independent in our actions. We should not have to rely on the government for our maintenance. The more we are not beholden to outside influences the freer we will be to make decisions for ourselves. The church is to be independent and so are we.

Industry
Adam was told that he was to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. We are to earn our living and provide for ourselves and our family by working and using our minds. We are not to rely on the dole. The original statement said that the evils of the dole should be abolished. The term we use now is welfare. There is a concern about those who are receiving state welfare who will refuse employment when it is available. When we are on the dole we are no longer independent.

Thrift
This does not mean that we are miserly. It means that we make our expenditures wisely. We are to avoid debt as we would the plague as the original statement from the leaders of the church pointed out. Many people use credit cards and do not pay the debt at the end of the month, but only a small amount leaving a balance due. Thus they become slaves and are in bondage until the debt is resolved. If you take out a loan do not expect the government to pay it back.  It is your responsibility.

The council from the leaders of the church is that we try to have a year’s supply of money and food on hand. Obviously we cannot start out our life with that, but we are to work towards that goal. We can start with paying our tithes and try to save ten percent of the earnings. We cannot buy a house without going into debt. We should start out modestly. We need to have a plan to be free and clear of the debt and work towards that goal.

 

Love,

Grandpa