DUTCH - Everytime I read Mormon 8:37-39 I can't help but apply that to us. Especially in regards to the new confernce center. They used exotic imported wood panels through-out and other lavish items to "adorn" with. I actually helped work on the center, and one thing that bothered me the most was the fact that in the private conference room there was a bathroom that had imported silk wall-paper. We had to wear clean gloves to work in this private bathroom. Is this the best use of all this money?
Also, I was reading Lehi's dream in 1 Nephi. I've never really understood who the man dressed in white was that led Lehi into the dark wasteland at the beginning of the dream. Was he being blinded by him until he finally prayed to God? Is that saying don't trust in any man, even if they have good intentions to lead us?

JOEL - Here is what Mormon 8:37-39 says:

"37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?
39 Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?"

Although the Church might have money to buy things and make the buildings look nice, the Church does not "love" the money and other things more than the poor and needy. There is a big difference between having money and loving money. The Church spends vast amounts of money and resources in caring for the poor and needy, both at home and in other countries.
The Church is a worldwide well-known religion and attracts influential dignitaries and world leaders to its headquarters and wants to treat them with respect and make them feel comfortable during their visits. So the adornments that are incorporated into the buildings are all done for their benefit and with an eye single to the glory of God and to the advancement of His kingdom on the earth.
The amount of money that is used for decoration is miniscule compared to the amount that is used for the spreading of the gospel and in serving and helping others.

In Lehi's dream we read:

5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.
6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.
7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. (1 Ne 8:5-7)

The man in white here serves as a guide to announce the beginning of Lehi's dream; his white robe indicating that he was a messenger from God. The white color symbolizes purity, and in the case of this dream, a divine nature.
His intentions are pure and only serve to help Lehi begin his journey to the tree of life; not to lead him astray. The angel led him into the dark and dreary waste, which is simply a representation of the conditions of this earth, which all of us must experience if we are to make it to the tree of life. And if we pray as Lehi did, we will be able to survive the journey.

Return to top

Return to Questions
HOME