The Earth and Frugality

Section 59 of the Doctrine and Covenants brings up some interesting ideas about human-kinds place on Earth. It states quite specifically that the fullness of the Earth is ours. The beasts, birds, and plants are all ours to do with as we please. The section even states that it pleases God that he was able to give us all these things. Some might look at this and think God gave us the Earth and we can treat it however we want because it is ours. However, like all of God's gifts and promises, we have responsibilities that accompany the gift of the Earth. We are to use the gifts of the Earth to make things that are beneficial to mankind. God also asks that we use what we have to make things that are pleasing to the eye and will gladden the heart. Finally, he states that we are to use judgement in how we use what we have and not to use anything in excess.

Today, the responsibilities we have been given seem fairly obvious. With how much emphasis is placed on protecting and preserving what remains of nature, everyone would agree that nothing should be used unnecessarily. At the time though, it seemed like an unusual request. The Saints lived in a world where the forests extended forever. As they crossed the plains they saw seas of bison covering the hillsides. The Saints journeyed into a land untouched by human hands other than the Native American's who had been living there for hundreds of years. It would have seemed like they had an endless supply of resources with hardly anyone around to use them. God asked them to be responsible with the seemingly unending supply of land before them so that future generations would still have some of that beauty that they were able to see then.