4/13/03
Before you settle on any other commitments, get a hope in Christ. That is, find the kingdom. A hope in Christ is another way of describing what happens to you when you have the testimony of Jesus. If you have a hope in Christ—that is, if you have found the kingdom—all the other things will come if you seek them for the right purposes. So, again, there is a hierarchy of commitments. Christ is at the top and all else must fall into line with that one so that there is no disharmony. — Vaughn J. Featherstone, "Commitment," [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982], p. 82
4/14/03
Often it is the order of things that is fundamental in the Lord's instructions to us. The Lord is not telling us that we should not be prosperous. This would be inconsistent with the many records we have of his blessing his people with prosperity. But he is telling us that we should seek prosperity only after we have sought and found him. Then, because our hearts are right, because we love him first and foremost, we will choose to invest the riches we obtain in building his kingdom. — L. Tom Perry, "Living with Enthusiasm," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1996], p. 34-35
4/15/03
Our ultimate hope must be anchored to the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." An understanding of that objective should help us approach the future with faith instead of fear, with a more excellent hope in place of despair. God sent each of us here to be happy and successful. Meanwhile, He also needs us. We are to "seek not the things of this world but seek... first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness." He decreed that "no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things." — Russell M. Nelson, "Perfection Pending, and Other Favorite Discourses," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], p. 122
4/16/03
A frequent theme of the Book of Mormon is that those who live the Lord's commandments and seek to follow him will prosper. Many have interpreted this to mean they will prosper as to the things of this world, which is not necessarily true. Couldn't the promise also refer to prospering as to the eternal treasures that we will acquire if our focus is upon doing what the Savior has commanded? However, there is nothing wrong with prosperity, or seeking for riches, as the prophet Jacob taught, if it is done for the right reasons and if we use this abundance to alleviate the sufferings and pain of those who are less fortunate. — Robert E. Wells, "The Mount and the Master," [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1991], p. 152
4/17/03
What sort of individuals will receive eternal life? Among others, the few rich who sought the kingdom first and wanted riches only in order to do good... — Neal A. Maxwell, "A Wonderful Flood of Light," [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], p. 58
11/25/16
"And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:18–19).
So often it is the order of things that is fundamental in the Lord’s instructions to us. The Lord is not telling us that we should not be prosperous. This would be inconsistent with the many records we have of Him blessing His people with prosperity. But He is telling us that we should seek prosperity only after we have sought and found Him. Then, because our hearts are right, because we love Him first and foremost, we will choose to invest the riches we obtain in building His kingdom. – L. Tom Perry, "United in Building the Kingdom of God," Ensign (CR) May 1987
