260.2: Providing for ourselves and each other (D&C Gospel Doctrine Lesson 38)

“In Mine Own Way”

One of the most urgent problems we face today is also the most overwhelming… incomprehensible wealth inequality and literally a world of desperate need. This episode discusses

• The problem
  • Wealth inequality/poverty in the world
  • Wealth inequality/poverty in the US
  • Wealth inequality/poverty in the Church
• Possible Solutions
  • The very first step: Acknowledge there is a problem
  • Caring for the needy in the Church
• Additional approaches
• Thoughts on increasing well-being (what is our responsibility? How can we care for ourselves? How can we give? How can we serve? More than tithing and fast offerings)
• In short, what can we do?

Recurring Donation:

$5   $10   $20   $50

One Time Donation:

$10   $20   $50   $100

 

Class Member Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 38:30; D&C 42:30–31, 42; D&C 58:26–28; D&C 104:13–18; Our Heritage, pages 108–9, 111–14; D&C 35686_000_04044:6; D&C 52:40; D&C 56:16; D&C 88:123; D&C 104:13–18; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12; D&C 56:17; D&C 88:124

Additional Teacher Reading: Ether 2:3; Jacob 2:17–19; Matthew 25:35

 

Jessica, Chris, Sarah and John provide an informed, sobering, but ultimately inspiring discussion.

 

You can access the Assigned Reading here

You can access the Lesson Notes here.

 

Resources

Further Reading/Listening

• Uchtdorf, Providing in the Lord’s Way
• Consecration, Encyclopedia of Mormonism
• Humanitarian Service, Encyclopedia of Mormonism
• Story about a Tennessee Pastor who lived homeless for a week
• The Hole in our Gospel
• Abundance, an optimistic take on the power of technology to solve poverty
• Dialogue article about Relief Society work between the World Wars
• If you want to mess with your head, two uncomfortable but excellent RadioLab episodes about Morality and a follow up.

The Problem

• TED talk on how wealth inequality harms societies
• A TED playlist on the quest to end poverty
• Video on wealth inequality in America
• WorldBank articles on wealth inequality if you want to dig deep
• Typical American household richer than 93% of the world, Washington Post
• Hunger in America Map
• A Place at the Table, Documentary on hunger in America (also available on Netflix)
• Daily Show’s review of A Place at the Table (and not a single bad word)
• Hunger and Poverty in America documentary
• Hunger in Utah

Potential Solutions

• Perpetual Educational Fund
• Microloans through Kiva
• Liahona Children’s Foundation
• LCF’s “Change a Life” video
• Empower women through the Half the Sky movement (it has been demonstrated that giving resources to women is the most efficient way to effect change)
• Sponsor a Child through WorldVision
• ActionAid, a charity focusing on children
• Charity Navigator, which checks the efficiency of charities
• The Life You Can Save, more resources on helping those in need
• Nudge
• LDS International Society, a network for coordinating humanitarian and other efforts

Pick a cause you believe in and make a contribution! Also remember that one of the most effective things you can do is become politically involved.

Many thanks to Devin Roth for the beautiful bumper music. Check out his arrangement of hymns and other work at DevinRothMusic.

Thanks to the post production team William Newman who edited for content and Nathan Jones who edited for sound quality, and to Trent Oliphant who reissued the episode.