What does it mean to prosper in the land?

[Rand]

I have puzzled over this for a long time. It seems strange that God would bless us to make us wealthy and lazy just to see us fall again on the roller coaster of the Pride Cycle. So it seems strange that this is the final meaning of the term so oft used in the Book of Mormon. Then I read in Ether 7:26 And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land. And it came to pass that Shule begat sons and daughters in his old age.

Now, knowing how the Lord values posterity, this made so much sense to me. The Temple is full of this doctrine. To Prosper in the land is to increase in posterity, eternally. At least from the Lord's system of values, this to me is true prosperity.
Thoughts?

[believer]

I think you are right. Prosperity is much more than money. If you have family, friends, the Gospel, and you are happy, then you are indeed prosperous. And you are not just properous for this life, but for eternity.


Believer

[MercynGrace]

I think that's an insightful interpretation. I think it also means to avoid captivity both temporally and spiritually.

2 Nephi 1
6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

20 And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.
21 And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;

Our wicked choices have led us into bondage temporally and spiritually. Only repentance can change that. I don't think it has to do with money but with the creation of Zion - that holy habitation where there are no poor. In verse 21 above, Lehi invokes the very definition of Zion (one heart, one mind, united) as the way to avoid captivity which we see in verse 7 is what happens to those who don't keep the commandments.

[Rand]

Mercy: That was an excellent add on. Thanks. I got goosebumps. It seems one of the great struggles in life is to see things through our Fathers value system, and accept it. I will add this to my scripture link.

[oneClimbs]

We must begin to build Zion and it must start within our homes. That is the one place we can have complete control, we can shut out evil practice the principles of the gospel an witness miracles, healing and powerful manifestations of the Spirit. There must be a conflict though, we have to also increase our influence and as we do so, the wicked will not be able to stand the righteous and then cast them out from among them. The Lord seems to take issue with the wicked when they seek to mess with his people who worship him.

[buffalo_girl]

Thank each of you for the wonderful insights!

Right now our family is struggling on several levels; spiritual, emotional, financial, physical endurance. Yet, we are obeying the commandments. The promise of 'prosperity' as such seems pretty illusive right now.

From the perspective presented here, however, it appears that children in the process of repentance combined with a greater appreciation of what it means to be part of the family is better than a sack of gold.

[NoGreaterLove]

How does God prosper?

[Rand]

This can be a tricky question, but assuming God is able to prosper, meaning he is able to have increase etc., I think the only way for God to prosper is to bring about his work and glory. This is done through creating eternal family increase in His family. We are the way that comes to pass. As we do this, we prosper and find Joy. IMO

[Rand]

Buffalo Girl: That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing that application. If I am not being too overbearing, I have found that with almost no exception, the virtue of Joy is always described in the scriptures as relating to eternal family ties. The Temple ceremonies are full of that wording; connecting family and joy, and so are the scriptures. There are a few exceptions, but only a handful I have found. You are most blessed, not because of your circumstances, but because of your willingness to see them as God does. According to how I read your post, you are full of Joy. Way to go!

[NoGreaterLove]

So I think we have an answer. We prosper when we keep the covenants of God and the riches we obtain are the richness contained in the promises of those covenants.

[fps.sledge]

Just a thought, perhaps prosperity isn't so much a blessing directly given to us people, as direct intervention, so much as it is an eternal truth. When we live our lives in such a way that is clean (worth/virtuous) and industrious (work/produce) then by result, we are prosperous.