We often talk about stewardship in our callings. What about stewardship in our other divine responsibilities?
I absolutely love the ocean. The sound of the waves, the sun on my shoulders, and snorkeling…wow. Every time I go, I swear nobody can get me out of the water. The ocean, and all the life it holds, is just so beautiful to me. Unfortunately, the ocean also holds a lot of trash. The contrast between the natural beauty I love so much and the garbage cluttering it makes me sad and often leaves me pondering how I could do better at preventing or even just containing the pollution on the beautiful planet God has given us.
In the October 2022 General Conference, Bishop Gérald Caussé addressed stewardship and our spiritual responsibility to take care of our planet and every person who lives on it. In his talk “Our Earthly Stewardship,” he discusses how the beauty of creation engenders gratitude toward our Creator and a recognition of His divine ownership. Bishop Caussé says, “The care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility. It is also an integral component of our discipleship. How can we honor and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honoring and loving Their creations?”
PHOTO BY OLIVER SJOSTROM
There are many ways that we as disciples of Jesus Christ can deepen our commitment to be good stewards. Here are a few ideas.
- Participate in a community garden. Caring for plants can teach us to appreciate the gift of life on earth. Plus, many community gardens team up with local food shelters to provide fresh vegetables for people in need.
- Find ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Use reusable bags at the grocery store, reuse glass jars for food storage or crafts, or spend time researching the products you use and their sustainability.
- Serve someone. Whether it’s a friend having a bad day or someone you’ve never met, take time to minister to God’s children.
As we prioritize our responsibility for the blessings God has given us, we will develop a greater appreciation for the world and people around us.
Read Bishop Gérald Caussé’s full talk, “Our Earthly Stewardship” from the October 2022 General Conference.
Source: churchofjesuschrist.org
—Sierra Smart Latter-day Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY MARTA ORTIGOSA
Find more insights
To read more about stewardship, check out the following two articles:
“Our Environmental Stewardship” by Kimberly Austin and
“Stewards of the Earth” by Alicia Stanton