TMitch1987

Hi blueskye. I would have responded to your comment earlier, but I've been tied up with a few non-internet commitments :) I agree; discernment is very important. The discerning of spirits is one of the gifts of the spirit Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians, and it is reiterated in our Doctrine and Covenants. Yes, I believe it is obedience to direction that will allow us to be blessed with material abundance. God has blessed us with modern prophets, so members of the Church have more of God's direction to fall back on. A few quotes from Brigham Young, from here: "Idleness and wastefulness are not according to the rules of heaven. Preserve all you can, that you may have abundance to bless your friends and your enemies." "Use just enough of your earnings to make your bodies and your families happy and comfortable, and save the residue." "My faith does not lead me to think the Lord will provide us with roast pigs, bread already buttered, etc.; he will give us the ability to raise the grain, to obtain the fruits of the earth, to make habitations, to procure a few boards to make a box, and when harvest comes, giving us the grain, it is for us to preserve it—to save the wheat until we have one, two, five, or seven years’ provisions on hand, until there is enough of the staff of life saved by the people to [provide] bread [for] themselves and those who will come here seeking for safety." There are other, dishonest ways to obtain material abundance, and some shining souls start out in lowly circumstances. The key to obtaining a material abundance (while still being in good standing with the Lord) is the work ethic He has counseled us to have. To answer your initial question, wealth is not a sign of righteousness, and poverty is not a sign of unrighteousness. But being obedient to direction can lead us not only to spiritual blessings, but to material ones as well. This is why we have missionaries going door to door even in the United States, trying to preach the Gospel to members of other faiths. There is greater direction and more of God's word available than most people know. The referred to chapter linked above would be a good resource to look into as to how abundance is linked to obeying the God's direction (keeping in mind that we profess Brigham to be a prophet, and thus that he was speaking what God would have him speak, and not what he himself was thinking).

Essentially, there's is a difference between direction and commandments. Commandments are certainly a form of direction, but direction doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of a commandment. Alma 37:37 says "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good." So direction is a product of prayer.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the use of the word direction in the quote from Elder Larson's talk. We believe that we are entitled to revelation if we A) seek it, and B) live worthy to receive it. In other words, we believe there is more - and often more personal/directly applicable - direction available than what is written in scriptures alone. God cares about our largest life decisions, but because He is interested in us in the same way that righteous fathers are interested in their children, he will give us direction in the smaller things too. I have a friend who told me he had once prayed about whether or not he should upgrade his computer. The response he received was along the lines of, "it's not a necessary upgrade, and you can get by without it. Those same parts will be cheaper in a couple months - wait until they are cheaper, then you can upgrade if you wish." The Bible - and all scripture - is loaded with principles. But sometimes principles can seem to us to be occasionally contradictory and hard to sort out. That's why direct revelation is important. The quote itself only says that "when the inhabitants of the earth remember him and are obedient to his direction, he will bless them [...] with material abundance." It does not say that material abundance can only be achieved through obedience. There is a difference between not being rewarded and being punished. Students who do extra credit assignments are rewarded for their work. This does not mean students who do not do the assignments are punished. In a similar vein, if we are to accept that it is only those who are obedient to God's direction that are given the promise of material abundance (which has been correctly identified as being different from wealth), then we cannot assume that lack of abundance is a sign of personal wickedness. Not following direction is different from not following a commandment. It's the difference between "you should reconsider buying that car; you really don't need it" and "don't buy that car." If you choose to buy the car after the first, it's folly, not wickedness. This can diminish your abundance, and even lead to poverty. But, although it is unwise and likely short-sighted, it is not wickedness as I understand the term. But you will still suffer to some degree for it, even if it is only on a material level. If the Lord commands "don't buy that car" and you buy it anyway, that is disregarding an explicit command, which is more than just short-sighted foolishness (although it is certainly that as well). That is wickedness. So, as I understand it, abundance is only specifically promised to those who follow the Lord's direction, which is often personal and suited to the circumstances. This doesn't mean the wicked cannot find their own ways to obtaining material abundance. It also does not mean that material abundance is promised to those who, for example, love God and their neighbors, keep the Ten commandments, etc. etc. The key, I believe, lies in understanding the difference between direction and commandments, particularily as they relate to Latter-day Saints' understanding of modern/individual revelation.