Being stewards of the earth is one of the best ways we can practice our discipleship.
Dear Mother Earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show,
Alleluia! Alleluia! (“All Creatures of Our God and King,” Hymns, no. 62)
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who tries her best to be devout, I often find it overwhelming to think of all the commandments I have been instructed to follow. From the ancient Ten Commandments to the modern Word of Wisdom—as well as everyday guidance to study our scriptures and pray—it almost seems like too much to keep track of.
Caring for the earth may feel like another responsibility on top of a long list, especially when we can’t personally see the immediate results. However, perhaps the initial burden of stewarding the earth will be lifted if we can understand its spiritual applications and consequent blessings.
In Dr. Loreen Allphin’s devotional, “Six Spiritual Lessons from the Natural World,” she draws spiritual parallels between the earth and doctrinal truths. She teaches about growing toward Christ’s light as plants do towards the sun and rooting yourself in his living waters. These beliefs are supplemented by the gospel principle that “the earth, all living things, and the expanse of the universe all eloquently witness of Him” (Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability). This means that as we care for the earth, we demonstrate our love for and testimony of its Creators, God and Jesus Christ.
We must treat this world in a way that allows Christ’s light to continue to shine. We can follow through on this responsibility with little, everyday actions like recycling, limiting generative AI use, or joining local cleanup initiatives. Dr. Allphin assures us of the fulfillment she has found in doing so, saying, “Because I have benefited so greatly from the divine Creation, I truly want to be a good steward over it.”
Stewardship over the earth doesn’t have to feel like another burden. Rather, we can recognize the blessing it is to care for this world that was created for us, and as we do, we can grow in God’s light.
Read more about the blessings of the natural world in Loreen Allphin’s BYU devotional, “Six Spiritual Lessons from the Natural World.”
Source: BYU Speeches
—Laura Vance, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY SAMUEL FERRARA
Find more insights
Read more about how the earth is a witness of Christ in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Topics and Questions entry “Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.”
Learn more about stewardship over the earth in Sierra Smart’s Latter-day Saint Insights article “Stewardship: It’s Time to Step It Up.”