(Isa. 55:1–2; 2 Ne. 26:25; 32:3)
The Day of Atonement was the only fast prescribed by the law of Moses (Lev. 16:29, 31; 23:27, 32—the word “afflict” parallels the word “fast” in Isaiah 58:3 and is typically understood to mean to “deny oneself”). Louis Jacobs describes this day as “a day of feasting without eating or drinking; the nourishment provided is for the soul.” Isaiah promises that those who fast properly by dealing “thy bread to the hungry” and bringing the “poor that are cast out to thy house” will be blessed, for the Lord will “satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones” (Isa. 58:7, 11; see also Isa. 58:3–12). A similar allusion to fasting can be seen in the prophet Jacob’s words … (2 Ne. 9:50–51; parallel to Isa. 55:1–2).
(John S. Thompson, Isaiah In The Book of Mormon: Edited by Donald W. Parry and John W. Welch [Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 1998], 133–34.)
Far too many individuals and families have incurred too much debt. Be careful of the many attractive offers to borrow money. It is much easier to borrow money than it is to pay it back. There are no shortcuts to financial security. There are no get-rich-quick schemes that work. Perhaps none need the principle of balance in their lives more than those who are driven toward accumulating “things” in this world.
Do not trust your money to others without a thorough evaluation of any proposed investment. Our people have lost far too much money by trusting their assets to others. In my judgment, we never will have balance in our lives unless our finances are securely under control.
The prophet Jacob said to his people: … (2 Ne. 9:51).
Brothers and sisters, remember to always pay a full tithing.
(M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 1987, 14–15.)
We may build a beautiful, spacious home that is far larger than we need. We may spend far too much to decorate, furnish, and landscape it. And even if we are blessed enough to afford such luxury, we may be misdirecting resources that could be better used to build the kingdom of God or to feed and clothe our needy brothers and sisters.
Jacob, the Book of Mormon prophet, warned us, “Do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Ne. 9:51). And in even stronger words, he said:
“Because some of you have obtained more abundantly than … your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
“And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you… .
“Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto him who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other” (Jacob 2:13–14; 21).
Pride and vanity, the opposites of humility, can destroy our spiritual health as surely as a debilitating disease can destroy our physical health.
The Savior taught clearly the proper value of worldly possessions in his conversation with the rich young ruler who asked what more was required to have eternal life; he had kept all the commandments from his youth. He asked the Master what he still lacked. Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give to the poor, and come and follow Him. But the man went away sorrowing, for he loved his possessions. (See Matt. 19:16–22.) How many of us would pass this test?
Many of us have made sacred covenants to live the laws of sacrifice and consecration. But when the Lord blesses us with riches and affluence, we may give little thought to how we should use these blessings to help build up his church.
(Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 65.)