In Wallace D Wattles’ Book “The Science of Getting Rich” he makes the following statement in chapter 12:
The world is advanced only by those who more than fill their present places.
If no one quite filled their present place, there would be backward movement in
everything. Those who do not quite fill their present places are dead weight upon
society, government, commerce, and industry. They must be carried along by others at a
great expense.
Jesus also made a simpler, yet similar statement in Matthew 5:41:
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declares the family as being central to God’s plan. Elswhere, prophets have declared the family as being the fundamental unit of society.
There are wars raging in the world, natural disasters, disease, and many other things going on that affect societies. It can be overwhelming to think of what can we do to improve society?
What if we did as Jesus and the prophets suggest and “go the extra mile” starting within our family? I believe that if we just did one thing each day to go the “extra mile” within our families each day for our spouse, children, siblings, parents, etc. we would strengthen our family and in turn strengthen our government and society.
What one thing can you do to improve your family relationships?
Grace for Grace 
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May 14, 2008 at 6:16 pm
NM
Hello again =)
I sometimes wonder if the ‘commands’ Jesus gave were things that we can’t actually acheive. Of course, in one sense we could achieve what He said through gutsy determination. The trouble with doing what Jesus said – will inevitably make us think more highly of ourselves than we ought as He also said in other places like Mark, Matthew etc. that to be the greatest…you have to be the lowest =)
It’s all to do with motivation, I think.
And most of the time, we fall into idolatry; that is, we do good things so we gain the favour of people around us =/
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May 14, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Chris H
For me, it has helped in my marriage when I am constantly thinking “What can I do to make my spouse happy?” I think looking for opportunities to serve others is a great way to strengthen relationships.
In additions, when you think about it, all sin derives from selfishness. Thinking of others and trying to serve will hopefully lessen the desire to sin as well.
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May 14, 2008 at 10:57 pm
CS
I was once in a boy scout awards program watching some you young boys give the scout law, motto, slogan etc. One boy gave the slogan “Do a good turn daily” and I found myself thinking what a great world this would be if we humans in the world really did that.
I do feel that the quotes you gave, ama49, are what Jesus wants and expects of us. We need to leave the world a better place and do more for others. If there is anything in this world, and nation especially, that I think we suffer from, it is self indulgance. Don’t get me wrong. I think that I am more guilty than most.
I need to just make the commitment each day to do something extra for someone I care for and even someone I don’t know all that great and do my part.
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May 15, 2008 at 5:57 am
Eric Zacharias
Ama,
1)Interesting quote and 2) interesting questions.
1)
It seems to me that a better cross-reference to Mr. Wattles’ quote would be something along the lines of St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians (3:10) ” For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Paul modeled that personally, of course, making sure that his missionary work would not be a burden on the community. He urged others to do the same, as they await the return of Christ at the day of judgment.
2)
Wow. So many good questions. I think you intended to ask one question: what can we do to improve family relationships?
First, if you love your family, you will make sure they know God. Disciples are made by baptizing and teaching. What better thing than to baptize them “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” granting them the baptism that saves them in the same way that the flood waters lifted Noah’s crew up and away from the destruction of the world. Then, be sure to keep them a member of Christ’s church, nurtured in the inspired Word of God, teaching them the Holy Scriptures, which makes them wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.
Second, love and forgive. If people knew (more importantly, believed) that God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, they would be on track for dealing with their family. We can only begin to love God after we know that he has loved us (1 John); we can only begin to understand the importance of forgiveness when we understand what it means to have been forgiven by God.
As NM said, we cannot fulfill the Law. Grace and mercy come as we receive the Gospel of Jesus; as sinners forgiven by God (for Jesus’ sake), we begin to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
You are right to say that work begins at home and moves outward.
Another discussion might be: What would Jesus think of a book entitled, “The science of getting rich”? I wonder if Wattley considers himself a religious man. What would he do with Scriptures that warn against seeking to be rich in this world?
Also: While family is important, it’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t dwell on family life. For Jesus, one’s blood relation or biological family was not as important as those who believed in him as Savior and Lord; “They are my mother, brothers, and sisters who hear the Word of God and keep (treasure/believe) it.” The kingdom of God has nothing to do with blood-lines and lineage; it has everything to do with faith which believes and trusts in God’s desire/ability to save, as he has delivered it to us in the holy Scriptures.
FWIW,
Eric Zacharias
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May 15, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Dan
Eight weeks ago I broke both of my elbows. One of them had to be reconstructed. Since then I have been on the receiving end of my wife going the extra mile for me.
My orthopedist still hasn’t cleared me to drive a vehicle (though I get new x-rays tomorrow and that might change. Here’s hoping). She shuttles me to work and then picks me from work at the end of the day.
I am awed how she has taken on extra burdens, all without complaint, until I can function better.
Because of her example, I now look for little things that I can do to help my wife.
Though I don’t wish broken elbows on anyone, I have seen great blessings because of it in my life, and I look forward to being able to use both of my arms again so I can try to serve her.
Thanks for the post.
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May 16, 2008 at 5:44 am
ama49
#1
I’m glad that you bring up the fact that the “righteous” acts we do shouldn’t be to get praise for ourselves. Rather, we should acknowledge the hand of God in all things. King Benjamin in the Book of Mosiah chapter 2 in the Book of Mormon shares great insight on service and how our attitude should be:
And even I, myself, have alabored with mine own bhands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.
15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might aboast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear bconscience before God this day.
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn awisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the bservice of your cfellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to aserve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to athank your heavenly bKing!
20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the athanks and bpraise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and cpreserved you, and has caused that ye should drejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
21 I say unto you that if ye should aserve him who has created you from the beginning, and is bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own dwill, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ewhole souls yet ye would be funprofitable servants.
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May 16, 2008 at 5:46 am
ama49
#2
Chris, you’re 100% right. If we are focused outward in service we learn and come closer to the Lord. I think that is part of what Christ meant when he said “He that loseth himself shall find himself.”
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May 16, 2008 at 5:48 am
ama49
#3,
Welcome to the site, CS and thank you for your great insights! I look forward to hearing more from you.
I like that you brought the scouting side into this b/c I hadn’t even considered that, but you’re absolutely right!
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May 16, 2008 at 5:56 am
ama49
#4
Welcome back and thanks for your excellent comments and additional scripture.
It’s interesting because I’m reading “Lectures on Faith” by Joseph Smith right now. He brings up the following points that go along with what you brought up as well in the importance of learning about God. Here’s what I read about the character of God as taken from various scriptures in the Bible from Joseph Smith:
1. God is constant…never changing…the same yesterday today and forever
2. He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness
3. He is a God of truth and can’t lie
4. He is not a respecter of persons…every nation that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him
5. God is love
You are absolutely right that if we teach our children concepts of who God is and try to implement these characteristics in our own lives and those of our family, society would be a much better place.
Thanks for sharing your great thoughts!
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