Correlation between Faithfulness and Blessings - Insight Into D&C 104

On April 23, 1834, the First Presidency of the Church and several high priests met to discuss the urgency of indebtedness plaguing the Church and its leaders. Although the nature and number of creditors was not sufficiently identified, the issue of debt was real and the outcome uncertain. The Prophet Joseph Smith was not immune from his own financial concerns at this time. Knowing something of Joseph’s financial problems, Brigham Young said, “Joseph was doing business in Kirtland, and it seemed as though all creation was upon him, to hamper him in every way, and they drove him from his business, and it left him so that some of his debts had to be settled afterwards.”[1]

In this revelation the Lord promised his prophet that “inasmuch as he is faithful I will multiply blessings upon him and his seed after him” (D&C 104:25). He repeated the promise, adding “inasmuch as he is faithful in keeping my commandments which I have given unto him, I will multiply blessings upon him, and his seed after him, even a multiplicity of blessings” (v. 42). And again the Lord promised, “I will multiply blessings upon the house of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., inasmuch as he is faithful, even a multiplicity of blessings” (v. 46).

The same promise of blessings following faith is extended to all. Through our diligence in nourishing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we may enjoy a multiplicity of blessings, such as our burdens being lightened by God (see Matthew 11:28–29), the Holy Ghost being with us (see Moroni 7:32), and experiencing miracles in our lives (see 2 Nephi 26:13).

President Thomas S. Monson, in his general conference address of October 1990, illustrated the principle of faith correlating with blessings by telling the story of Irving Wilson:

[An] evidence of faith took place when I first visited the St. Thomas Branch of the mission, situated about 120 miles from Toronto. My wife and I had been invited to attend the branch sacrament meeting and to speak to the members there. ...

Our branch met in the basement of the lodge hall and was comprised of perhaps twenty-five members, twelve of whom were in attendance. The same individuals conducted the meeting, blessed and passed the sacrament, offered the prayers, and sang the songs.

At the conclusion of the services, the branch president, Irving Wilson, asked if he could meet with me. At this meeting, he handed to me a copy of the Improvement Era, forerunner of today’s Ensign. Pointing to a picture of one of our new chapels in Australia, President Wilson declared, “This is the building we need here in St. Thomas.”

I provided encouragement for them to grow in numbers by their personal efforts to fellowship and teach. The outcome is a classic example of faith, coupled with effort and crowned with testimony.

President Wilson requested six additional missionaries to be assigned to St. Thomas.

When this was accomplished, he called the missionaries to a meeting in the back room of his small jewelry store, where they knelt in prayer. He then asked one elder to hand to him the yellow-page telephone directory, which was on a nearby table. President Wilson took the book in hand and observed, “If we are ever to have our dream building in St. Thomas, we will need a Latter-day Saint to design it. Since we do not have a member who is an architect, we will simply have to convert one.” With his finger moving down the column of listed architects, he paused at one name and said, “This is the one we will invite to my home to hear the message of the Restoration.”

President Wilson followed the same procedure with regard to plumbers, electricians, and craftsmen of every description. Nor did he neglect other professions, feeling a desire for a well-balanced branch. The individuals were invited to his home to meet the missionaries, the truth was taught, testimonies were borne and conversion resulted. Those newly baptized then repeated the procedure themselves, inviting others to listen, week after week and month after month.

The St. Thomas Branch experienced marvelous growth. Within two and one-half years, a site was obtained, a beautiful building was constructed, and an inspired dream became a living reality. That branch is now a thriving ward in a stake of Zion.[2]