Study Guide for "Our Earthly Stewardship"

In his talk, "Our Earthly Stewardship", Bishop Gérald Caussé explores the concept of stewardship in the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He emphasizes the spiritual significance of our responsibility to care for the earth and all its creations, including our fellow human beings. Bishop Caussé outlines three key principles of stewardship and underscores the blessings that come from fulfilling our divine duties.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Bishop Caussé mean by "stewardship"?
What are the three principles of stewardship that Bishop Caussé outlines?
How does Bishop Caussé suggest we can be good stewards of the earth and its resources?
What role does stewardship play in our spiritual growth and progression?
How does our stewardship reflect our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Topics

Understanding the Concept of Stewardship

Bishop Caussé introduces the concept of stewardship as a sacred responsibility to take care of something that belongs to God. This includes the earth and all its resources, our families, our physical bodies, and our very lives. Stewardship is not just about conservation, but also about growth, enhancement, and improvement.

In gospel terms, the word stewardship designates a sacred spiritual or temporal responsibility to take care of something that belongs to God for which we are accountable.

All that is on the earth belongs to God, including our families, our physical bodies, and even our very lives.

What does stewardship mean in the context of the gospel?
What are some of the things that we are stewards over?
How can you better fulfill your stewardship over the things that belong to God?
In what ways can you grow and enhance the resources God has entrusted to you?

Honoring and Caring for God's Creations

As stewards, we have a duty to honor and care for God's creations. This includes using earthly resources wisely and not to excess. Our stewardship extends to all human beings, whom we should love, respect, and care for. The care of the earth and our natural environment is a sacred responsibility and an integral part of our discipleship.

As stewards of God’s creations, we have a duty to honor and care for them.

The care of the earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God, which should fill us with a deep sense of duty and humility.

Our stewardship over God’s creations also includes, at its pinnacle, a sacred duty to love, respect, and care for all human beings with whom we share the earth.

What does it mean to honor and care for God's creations?
How does our stewardship extend to other people?
How can you honor and care for the earth and its resources in your daily life?
What can you do to show love, respect, and care for your fellow human beings?

Participating in the Work of Creation

God invites us to participate in His work of creation. We do this by cultivating the earth, creating works of art, making scientific and medical discoveries, and most importantly, helping God's children reach their divine potential. Our role as stewards is not just about conservation, but also about growth, enhancement, and improvement.

We participate in the work of creation whenever we cultivate the earth or add our own constructions to this world—as long as we show respect for God’s creations.

God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon … that man might know the joys and glories of creation.

There is no stewardship more sacred, more fulfilling, and also more demanding than that of partnering with our Creator in providing physical bodies for His spirit children and then helping them reach their divine potential.

What does it mean to participate in the work of creation?
How can we partner with God in helping His children reach their divine potential?
In what ways can you participate in the work of creation?
How can you help others reach their divine potential?

The Spiritual Significance of Stewardship

Stewardship is not just a temporal responsibility, but also a spiritual one. Fulfilling our stewardship brings spiritual blessings, helps us grow in the knowledge of God and His Son, and prepares us for additional creative power in the life to come. At the end of our mortal existence, we will be accountable for how we have cared for God's creations.

We should recognize that all is spiritual to the Lord—including the most temporal aspects of our lives.

I testify that great spiritual blessings are promised to those who love and care for the earth and their fellow men and women.

Why is stewardship a spiritual responsibility?
What spiritual blessings come from fulfilling our stewardship?
How has fulfilling your stewardship brought spiritual blessings into your life?
What can you do to better prepare for the accountability of your stewardship at the end of your mortal existence?

The Role of Agency in Stewardship

God allows us to use earthly resources according to our own free will. However, our agency should not be interpreted as license to use or consume the riches of this world without wisdom or restraint. We have a solemn duty to work tirelessly for peace and harmony among all nations of the earth and to protect and bring solace and relief to the weak, the needy, and all those who suffer or who are oppressed.

Our Heavenly Father allows us to use earthly resources according to our own free will. Yet our agency should not be interpreted as license to use or consume the riches of this world without wisdom or restraint.

We have a solemn duty to work tirelessly for peace and harmony among all nations of the earth. We must do our very best to protect and bring solace and relief to the weak, the needy, and all those who suffer or who are oppressed.

What role does agency play in our stewardship?
How does our stewardship relate to our duty to work for peace and harmony among all nations?
How can you exercise your agency to be a better steward of God's creations?
What actions can you take to promote peace and harmony and to help those who are weak, needy, or oppressed?