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Live prudently, LDS reminded

Now let us see it practiced?

I think this advice is very timely. Part of the problem locally however is that the predominant political party adherants seem to believe that if you aren't making it financially, that somehow, it's entirely your fault. There is very little room for compassion. I hear constantly that "well, if they weren't so lazy, and would just plan better, they wouldn't be in such bad shape." This is just opposite of what the prophet is saying. You wanna bet things will change any?

I think this is very wise council and that everybody needs to learn to do. If people would learn to live within their means none of the mess on Wall Street would have happened. Cause then people would have been able to pay their mortgages and also people wouldn't have outrageous credit card debt.

We have to be really careful not to judge others and their situations. We really do not know why they are in debt there could be many reasons. I know this first hand. My husband is educated and very smart and by no means lazy but he has lost his job three times in eight years. The past two and a half years he has been unemployed or under employed. I took a part-time job at our children's school, too. He now has a job but we are trying to catch up and just feed our family. Also during this time one of our children needed brain surgery and we did not have insurnace because we could not afford it. Luckily we were able to get Medicaid. My point is we need not judge. We were given helping hands when we needed it and not judgement. We should be willing to help regardless.

There is far more to prudent financial living than many people know. Having been a Relief Society President in a very challenged area and then through personal and family financial struggles... I can tell you... You quit judging and start helping.

I hope that some day soon the Brethren's messages will evolve just like they've evolved for teen pregnancies and family violence and other social ills.

Give the members tangible counsel not just to avoid debt, but how to remain faithful once you've gotten in way over your heads. Teach us how to bear up during the many years of "50% tribute" and "bondage", because it truly takes years to get out.

During those years, with credit cards cancelled and spending reigned in, life happens. Car repairs, household repairs, medical bills, funeral expenses, job losses. I hope they will guide the members through THOSE trials.

The World doesn't offer any training for that crushing burden, other than bankruptcy. We need the message urgently.

The Church gives us wise counsel with regard to finances because follow they have followed the same principles since the beginning*. The Church is still able to provide for the spiritual needs of its people (5 temples announced yesterday!) that is not dependent upon Wall Street.

* "Pay the debt...Release thyself from bondage." (D&C 19:35)

Thank you for the comments already posted and the guidance of the Prophet. I so heartedly agree with the concept of "do not ye judge others". I married a man who's ex-wife was a serious prescriptin drug addict and they had several hundreds of thousands of outstanding debt as a result. When we married, I accepted his debt as my own and we have worked hard to lower that debt. But, in order to do so, I had to work full-time. It's hard when you have to choose between the counsel of getting out of debt and the counsel of mother's staying home with the children. It was easier for us, as our youngest was a late teenager and could come home from school and do her homework by the time we both came home from work. So, 7 years later, we are close to being out of debt so I can quit my job and stay home.
Again, please do not judge other's if you don't know their circumstances. Just be kind, be supportive and love each other, while we all try to work to adhere to the counsel of the prophets.

Debt happens! School, car, mortgage, life....I know we all have experienced this. I believe President Monson's advice and wise counsel is timely and should be considerated and followed as we move forward. For those already in debt, then this is an opportunity to plan ahead on how we'll get out and avoid that bondage in the future. The brethren recognize, as do most bishops/branch presidents and stake presidents that many are in financial bondage either through our own unwise choices or through the circumstances of life (job loss, illness, etc) that have sapped our resources. We can turn to our priesthood brethren for guidance and assistence. Some of that may mean recognizing we need to make changes (get rid of a car, sell or rent at a lower price, relocate to family). But, we have to make the changes and not expect the Church to just bail us out. As one wise bishop told me, "we are not in business with you to bail you out. But, we will help you take care of your survival needs so you can progress."
With the exception of mortgage, we'll be debt free in six months for the first time in 30 years.

Cougar Blue, As one who has spent most of my professional career in politics, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU BROUGHT POLITICS INTO THIS DISCUSSION. SHEESH!

The brethren want us to be self-reliant. We are to stay out of unnecesary debt, live prudently and NOT go to the government for financial help. If we need help we are to go, first to our families and then to the Church for assistance--NOT THE GOVERNMENT. THE BRETHREN HAVE EVEN ISSUED OFFICIAL LETTERS TO THAT EFFECT!

I once knew a guy who had a huge income, but lived VERY imprudently and carried a lot of debt. I told him he needed to get out of debt and get some cash reserve (I was a licensed financial advisor at the time). Then President Hinckley issued an anti-debt statement from the pulpit at General Priesthood Meeting. This guy's response--"that's nothing new, they've been saying that for a long time." He went on living very imprudently.

Well, I have since found out that this man has lost EVERYTHING. His million dollar house, his expensive cars--EVERYTHING due to debt and imprudence.

We need to follow the words of LIVING PROPHETS. GET OUT OF DEBT!!!

It's called "saving for a rainy day." The point is to anticipate hard times so that when they come, we'll get through it. Church leaders since Joseph of Egypt have been teaching and applying it. That's not to say we should judge those who find themselves financially short as has been pointed out above. That's why the prophet has said that those who can afford to, prepare not just for yourselves, but to help others as well. Their counsel does not have "holes in it" as you imply.

I wish the LDS Church would come out as strongly against the hideous Iraqi war and tens of thousands maimed and dead. Why is the Church numbingly silent on that issue?

Can I infer that from their own directives from the pulpit, the LDS Church is paying cash for their 5 new temples and multi-billion dollar City Center rennovations?

Maybe if you take that 10% and use it to pay your bills you will be doing better financially.

Just sayin'

Great comment but the majority of Mormons don't really believe it or they would be living it. Utah is one of the highest in personal debt and bankruptcy. And how many really have a years supply of food? Or pay 100% tithing? Or have a 'rainy' day cash fund? 3% or so. Yes they talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
And I'm one who can say this. I'm out of debt: no house payment, no car payment, no ex-wife payment. I raised 8 kids and 2 wives and forked out $100K in divorces, sent 4 sons on missions, and still managed to pay off the house in 16 yrs, and retire at age 57. And that was in a lowely job as a school teacher in Utah. And to top it off I'm a 'Jack' Mormon! So if you really believe in the prophets words etc. why don't you live it? I believe it was Pres Benson who said "Avoid debt like the plague." Well, the plague is here, reap your consequences.

But yea, ye shall be judged by thine neighbours to be inadequate if thou hast not a mcmansion, 2 suv's and a boat.

The prophet has given very wise counsel. I've had periods when my husband was out of work for long periods of time. After doing all we could, we still needed some help from the bishop. I am so grateful for that support. I went back to school for training in nursing and that turned out to be a huge blessing for our family.

Still there are many situations which arise that are impossible to plan for. However, when we follow the prophet's counsel we're still in a better place than if we hadn't.

After all is said and done, we need each other in times of crisis and my attitude is not one of "they made their beds so they now can lie in it." Without judgment we need to help each other, no matter what.

And many of the not-so-dominant political party want to blame everyone EXCEPT the individuals involved. Personally, I could use a government bailout too but at least I can recognize that many of our decisions netted me the position we're in.

So inspiring, so needed. Consistent and unwavering. Complete solution to current chaos. Hope we will heed -- hope we will not wait for another (easier) moment.

Prudent. What an interesting word in the middle of building a 10 BILLION dollar mall. On tithing funds.

To Orion, You have perhaps forgotten the statement made by President Hinckley from the pulpit at General Conference the day the Iraq War began.

President Hinckley stated that this is a RIGHTEOUS cause, it is a part of the War on Terror and that anyone who tried to thwart or interfere with this cause would be held accountable for it.

This is the statement that the Prophet of God has made. Now, are you going to try to claim that President Hinckley was an immoral, blood thirsty, evil man who loved to kill innocent people? I hope not.