You say you saw what?

There are those who attempt to cast doubt on the Visitation of Moroni to Joseph Smith stating that if an angel appeared to Joseph in his bedroom then why didn't his siblings see what was going on? So you are telling me a room full of kids just didn't notice an Angel of God glowing like a 500 watt light bulb speaking with Joseph like one man speaks with another?

Yes and there is precedence for just such a thing. In the account of Jasher we find that when Abraham went to offer up Isaac God established a sign to designate the mountain that the sacrifice of Isaac was to take place:

40 And Abraham went with Isaac toward the place that God had told him.

41 And on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place at a distance which God had told him of.

42 And a pillar of fire appeared to him that reached from the earth to heaven, and a cloud of glory upon the mountain, and the glory of the Lord was seen in the cloud.

43 And Abraham said to Isaac, My son, dost thou see in that mountain, which we perceive at a distance, that which I see upon it?

44 And Isaac answered and said unto his father, I see and lo a pillar of fire and a cloud, and the glory of the Lord is seen upon the cloud.

45 And Abraham knew that his son Isaac was accepted before the Lord for a burnt offering.

46 And Abraham said unto Eliezer and unto Ishmael his son, Do you also see that which we see upon the mountain which is at a distance?

47 And they answered and said, We see nothing more than like the other mountains of the earth. And Abraham knew that they were not accepted before the Lord to go with them, and Abraham said to them, Abide ye here with the ass whilst I and Isaac my son will go to yonder mount and worship there before the Lord and then return to you. (Jasher 23)

There are scriptural accounts which demonstrate that the presence of a heavenly experience is not always visible to unintended third-parties. An experience with one man will leave another man standing right next to him without any knowledge or experience of the event. Another example of this is the prophet Daniel who alone saw the vision and his companions did not: In Daniel 10: 7, "And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves."

It is true of the vision in Joseph Smith's childhood bedroom, where others were also sleeping when the angel Moroni appeared. See JS-H 1: 30, "While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor."

To behold the things of God we must be quickened by the spirit of God. One wonders if someone had come upon the Messiah and his apostles at the Mount of Transfiguration would they have seen anything. In the Book of John 12: 27-29 the voice of God speaks and yet while some heard a voice others heard only thunder:

“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!

Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”

When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him."

God works in patterns. In understanding how God works we must also investigate his patterns. Shalom.

Perilous Times Shall Come: The Latter-Day Spiritualist Movement

Looking around our Modern World there can be no doubt—THESE ARE PERILOUS TIMES! We have “prophets” who do not prophesy but instead teach for doctrine the commandments of men mingled with scripture.  They appease the masses with emotionally captivating speeches while remaining silent on declaring the commandments of God in the face of public opinion. Their hearts are set on monetary gain and popularity rather than upholding the justice and mercy of God.  Truly we can say that there is a famine in the land—a famine for the word of God.

In light of this void a titillating and enticing movement of spiritualism is developing among  many in the church.  Rather than hold to the “iron rod” of the word of God some are seeking the much needed revelation but instead of returning to the source they are engaging in witchcraft, sorcery (seeking drugs or other hallucinogenic substances to have “spiritual experiences”), and spiritual mediums (people who channel or consult the dead), etc.  Hungering and thirsting for apparitions and spiritual manifestations they throw the word of God and caution to the wind while embracing teachers ready and willing to give them what their itching ears so desperately seek.

Let me be clear. I am not opposed to the gifts of the Spirit, the Ministration of Angels, Speaking with the Lord through the veil, and coming into the physical presence of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ).  What I am opposed to is counterfeits who advertise that they can teach you how to play at the veil and obtain manifestations while ignoring God and his laws.

In exploring the different movements of spiritualism I have come across people offering classes to turn you into Luke Skywalker (or perhaps more accurately Darth Vader). I have read posts from little girls who “live without the veil” and little boys who meet 12 foot tall Angels.  While I do believe some of them have legitimate near death experiences, spiritual manifestations, and revelations what is disturbing is the dangerous idolatry their students (or fans) appear to engage in.  I suppose in a revelatory famine it would only make sense for the starving masses to rally around these new spiritual celebrities (however innocent they may actually be) but as with all celebrities the glitter wears off and there are those who have to re-invent themselves and obtain “new” revelations to maintain the attention and stave off their waning celebrity status.

Whatever “Good Intentions” people might have the truth is IDOLATRY IS STILL IDOLATRY!  While there will always be those spiritually co-dependent people who run from one spiritual celebrity to another seeking to fill the void that only God himself can fill, it is important to inspect the “revelations” and teachings these people claim lest we find ourselves letting go of the Iron Rod and becoming lost in mists of Darkness.

I came across one post from a person who had a near death experience a number of years ago.  I actually believe she did have an experience and I found the account of her experience very interesting.  It has now been years since her original experience and now claims that Jesus comes to her on a regular basis to teach her things that she shares with others.  One such message was when she was watching a particular television medium who consults the dead.  She then stated that Jesus told her that he was doing a good work and that she also needed to learn how to do that to help others. 

There is only one problem.  The “revelation” she obtained from “Jesus” contradicts the law of God.  Now there are those who would adamantly protest that she had a spiritual experience and we have no right to question it.  There would be those who maintain that she is a prophetess and we just can’t understand because we are living on a lesser plane or vibrational frequency.  Maybe. But there is still one major problem-“Does God give commandments that require people to break his covenant laws?”

Case in point, ““I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.” (Leviticus 20:6) 

In addition we  also have the witness of the Prophet Isaiah about such matters, “Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.” (Isaiah 8:19-20)

From the law and the prophets we see that we emphatically have a law against consulting the spirits of the dead, but we have someone who may have had a legitimate experience who contradicts God’s law (the testimony- Torah) and states that the Messiah himself told her to do it.

Discernment in these latter days can become difficult, but the Apostle Paul gives us timely instruction on how to walk through these contradictions while holding to the iron rod:

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:1-4).

He tells us there will be trouble in and out of the church:

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

Trouble is brewing—trouble in the world, and trouble in the church. Paul then gives Timothy the  solution:

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them...All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:14-4:2).

The word of God is the Iron Rod that leads along the strait and narrow path that leads to the Tree of Life.  God does not contradict his word—though an angel of light declare it unto you, a prophet, seer, or revelator, a professional medium, or the President of the United States.  It is easy to get caught up in spiritual signs and wonders, but in truth it is only the Bread of Life that can truly fill the hunger in our spiritual stomachs.  We should actively seek the gifts of God, but we should remember they are given not to tickle our excitement, satisfy our carnal desires, or spiritual fancies.

 “Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.  For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts. (D&C 46:8-9)

Pride

When we think of the concept of pride we often isolate our definition to the idea of lifting ourselves above another individual.  While this is true the scriptural definition of pride takes on a depth that demonstrates just how insidious pride can be.

Mormon 8:36 states, "And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and YOUR CHURCHES, yea, EVEN EVERY ONE, have BECOME POLLUTED because of the pride of your hearts."

Walking in the Pride of your Hearts is an interesting Hebraic expression. In Hebrew the heart is considered the center of our thoughts and personality. Pride (root gey) means to lift up high like the mountains that surround a valley. The idea is one of creating a place with high places or walls. In Hebraic thought The Torah (God's Instructions) are to be our boundaries or walls, so when we walk in the Pride of our hearts we are walking according to our own self or man made laws putting ourselves not only above others but above God's instructions. This leads to a state of iniquity or lawlessness.

In the above scripture it explains that because we have created our own law or instructions and placed them above God's instructions we begin to be divided and divided based upon apparel, envy, etc. ALL of our churches have become POLLUTED (hebrew: MIXED or UNCLEAN) because we lift ourselves up above God and his commandments. In doing so we walk after the lifted and swelled thoughts or laws we personally create. In other words we become a law unto ourselves.

Worshipping the Golden Calf? Prophet Worship,Idolatry, and creating your own Gospel. Say it ain't so Joe!

The sin of the Golden Calf occurred when the people took it upon themselves to worship God in a Manner he had not appointed. "behold tomorrow is a feast to YHVH", but God had not declared such a thing at that time. They approached God after the manner of worship in Egypt. The Golden Calf was meant to represent God and by engaging in their own self styled manner of worship they expected God to honor it. In reality they were breaking the covenant and as such were kept out of the presence of God. The tabernacle was taken out of their midst and they were left with the Aaronic priesthood.  The reality of this type of idolatry is alive and well today both in and outside the Church.  Like the ancient Israelites many may have good  "intentions" but making an offering to God of that which he has not appointed is engaging in a new form of Golden Calf Worship.

How can you help people who are led only by their emotions and senses and proclaim it to be of God? The Golden Calf and their self styled system of worship was ground to powder in the end and then drunk by those who engaged in the worship. They symbolism is that of a idolatrous/Gentile system being destroyed and drunk by those Israelites who engaged in it. The effects were sickening and deadly to those who engaged in it.

There are many who lift up mortal men such as prophets, apostles, general authorities, Stake presidents, etc and place their words above God and his word.  They erroneously assume that every word from a leader with a title and office is the voice of God himself. In doing so, these same people set aside the revealed word of God being unable to discern between the precepts men and real revelation from the Most High.  In doing so, they are creating a new calf and a new system and then saying behold God this is for you! Accept our self created worship that you have not appointed. 

There are also those who are of the mindset that every fleeting thought and emotion that they have is God telling them what to do.  Like a ship without a rudder these people are tossed to and fro by fickle emotions and deceiving spirits.  Rather than establish themselves upon the Rock of God's word they create their own revelations and then supplant the legitimate word of God with things that are contrary to God's commandments. Those who throw away or belittle God's commandments in light of a spiritual apparition, impression, warm fuzzy, or other manifestation are not only engaging in Golden Calf worship they are placing themselves and their family at risk.

Isaiah 8:20 NLT

New Living Translation

"Check their predictions against my testimony," says the LORD. "If their predictions are different from mine, it is because there is no light or truth in them.

Isaiah 8:20 NKJV

New King James Version

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

The Spirit of God will not instruct or testify to anyone to break the commandments of God. Not all people engage in this kind of behavior, but then again not all people engaged in the worship of the Golden Calf. Our loyalty and faith should be to God and his commandments. Beware of individuals or even the masses who take it upon themselves to make an offering to God of things he has never appointed.

IS THE BOOK OF MORMON ANTI TORAH? DOES GOD CONTRADICT HIMSELF? DOES THE MESSIAH DO AWAY WITH THE 10 COMMANDMENTS? -- Looking at a tough subject through Israelite Eyes...

When many Mormons read their Israelite scriptures their approach is that of western protestant Christianity that is based upon a Greek-Gentile Mindset and culture. So I thought I would post a scripture from the Book of Mormon and read it with Hebrew Eyes to demonstrate how we would read and interpret these words in light of our language, background, and culture.

(3 Nephi 154)

2 And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.

3 And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.

4 Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses.

5 Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.

6 Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled.

7 And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come.

8 For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me.

Verse 2-3: Old and New-- The word for new finds its root in the Hebrew word Chodesh. The word Chodesh that is translated "new" relates to the idea of the NEW MOON. It draws upon the picture of a cycle. The moon goes through its phases from Dark to light to back to darkness. What we call the New moon is actually a RE-NEWAL OF THE MOON every month. So for old things to become new in a Hebrew concept draws from the idea of a cycle of birth-maturity-death and then birth again, but in the end while we call it a "new moon" it is actually the same MOON Reborn. The  Law God gave to Moses had its birth and through the applying of traditions and apostasy it matured and waned but through the Messiah it is re-newed just as our Moon is renewed every month. Same law in its original state and intent or as Mormons might understand it-- IT WAS RESTORED.

4-5 Fulfilled- From a Gentile point of view fulfilled means it literally has an end, i.e so we don't have to follow it anymore. As such that means I get to worship other Gods, disrespect my parents, steal, murder, and sleep with your wife, etc as the law is fulfilled and done away. To FULFILL the Torah to a Jew means to PROPERLY INTERPRET AND PERFORM THE TORAH. So when the Messiah says he comes to FULFILL the LAW he means that he comes to give us the correct Interpretation and performance of the commandments he gave to Moses at Sinai.

The part that trips us up is the "it hath an end" part. Hebraic thought is rooted in cycles-- what we in the LDS world might call an eternal round. In Greek culture and though to have an end is similar to the idea of crossing the finish line in a race-- it is done and you finished the race. In Hebraic thought "the end" is the purpose for which something is Given. Hebrew is rooted in function. Like a cycle of the Moon we go through a cycle but in the end it is still the same moon. To accomplish the "end" of something is to accomplish it's purpose. The section of scripture above is part of a poetic structure and if you will notice the Messiah himself tells you what the end or purpose of the law, "but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me." In other words the law given to Moses is to bring us to the Messiah. That is it's purpose. There is one path, one way, one Messiah.

To nullify God's commandments or to change them falls under the phrase destroying the Torah (law).

Do you really have a Testimony?

Do you really have a Testimony? I find it interesting that in some LDS forums the moment I mention something from the TaNaKh regarding a doctrine that might appear to conflict with someone's opinion the first thing they ask me is if I have a testimony. What I find interesting by this statement is that the majority of LDS people do not have a testimony as defined by Hebrew Scripture. 99.999% of what I hear on the 1st Sunday of the Month are not actual testimonies that would fall under Hebraic Definition and in many ways I think this condition of not actually having a testimony is a merciful gift of YHVH.

In Hebrew a testimony is a first hand witness of an actual event. In other words it would be something you experience such as touch, sight, smell, etc. The concept of testimony being something you could bear witness of in court. So imagine for a second that you were called up to bear witness of something at a trial. Let's say you said you witnessed someone murder someone else. You are on the stand and you state that Mr. SoAndSo murdered the guy next door. The prosecuting attorney would then ask, "Did you see it?" You answer, "No". Then he would ask how do you know he did. You answer "The spirit told me he did." Do we honestly think that would hold up in court.

Well God's tabernacle is also his court room and when we bear witness of something we are stating we have actually experienced something first hand. To bear witness of something you have not experienced is considered bearing false witness.

So is it possible that when people get up and say, "I know that Jesus is the Christ" or I "know" this Church is true they are bearing false witness. Technically yes, but in another way no.

Unless a person touched handled, saw, and spoke with the Messiah then in truth they are not an actual witness and if they said I KNOW that Jesus is the Christ they would technically be bearing false witness. This is why the 12 Apostles (Witnesses) of the Lamb were actual witnesses. They had seen, touched, ate with, spoke with, learned from the Master. They could actually bear a first hand testimony that they had seen the resurrected Messiah.

So if this is the case then what are all these "testimonies" we hear on the first Sunday of the Month. Well most of them fall under the Hebrew concept of Chokmah- wisdom or information given by the spirit of YHVH. Just because it is given by the Spirit of YHVH would make it no less valid, but the purpose of the Spirit Giving this information is to lead you along until that which is spiritual becomes manifest in your life in the here and now. In other words your "information from the Spirit" is given as a confirmation as grace (YHVH enabling power) to give you comfort and promise that you are on the path to receiving the actual Experience!

16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.

17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.

19 And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?

20 Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it shall be unto every man according to his work.

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. (Alma 32)

The Messiah wants us to come into his presence and be one with him in the here and now, but at the same time he is the master teacher and knows exactly how to guide us along to reach that condition. Does the clay say to the potter, " You are doing it Wrong!"

ISAIAH 58 AND THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE FAST-- YOM KIPPUR

Fasting is one of the traditional ways of observing The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). In Hebrew Fasting is a sign of affliction and humility, but God has an interesting commentary on afflicting ourselves in piety and the type of observance he truly desires on Yom Kippur. Our lives should be a living fast as we follow the Messiah in binding up the broken hearted, setting the captives free, lifting the burdens of the oppressed, and protecting the innocent from the predators of this World. In the true spirit of fasting we sacrifice of ourselves in order than others may be blessed. In Hebrew the word kapporeth means to cover. With the Messiah's sacrifice we receive his covering. Let us remember him at this Highest of Holy Days and truly remember him by representing him to those in our homes and with whom we come into contact with during the week.

“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel of their sins!

Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.

‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.

What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.

You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the LORD?

“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.

Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.

Then when you call, the LORD will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!

(THEN COMES THE REALLY COOL PART AND THE BLESSING OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT)

Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.

The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.

Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.

“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.

Then the LORD will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the LORD, have spoken!”

MORMONISM IS NOT A CHRISTIAN RELIGION!!!

So I had a discussion with a "Christian" the other day and he made the statement that the Mormon Church is not Christian. At that point I stated that he was right we are not a "Christian" religion. He looked stunned for a second and said that I was the first Mormon he had met that admitted it. I said well it was about time we all start being honest because we do not follow or come out of the Catholic Church. We are not a breakoff from a Protestant Church. We do not believe in the Trinity. We also do not believe in the greek love god Jesus, but the Hebrew Jesus (Yeshua). I stated that unlike the Christian World our definition of Christ fits the Hebrew definition of the word Messiah (Moshiach). I also explained that our Messiah was a Jew of the House of Israel that he fulfilled the Torah and did not destroy it. I explained that Mormonism is part of an Israelite Restoration and that the Book of Mormon is a record of a remnant of the House of Israel that was led away. He stated that he had no belief in any of it and finds it hard to belief Joseph Smith's vision when no one else saw it and that how could he be an actual apostle of Jesus Christ since he only saw him in vision. At that point I stated I totally understand his feelings, I mean it must be hard to believe a testimony of a man named Paul who had a vision that no one else saw and who could only bear witness of Jesus from the event. Who could possibly believe such things? He stated that that was different. I asked, "How"? He replied because he had a witness of the Holy Spirit that Paul was telling the truth at which point I told him we have many a member who have the same spiritual witness of Joseph Smith. He stated Joseph married plural wives and was an adulterer. At which point I said so did King David and Solomon so let's throw out Psalms, Proverbs, Kings, etc. They could not possibly be true kings in Israel. He stated that the Book of Mormon was translated through a hat I stated that Aaron and the Priests looked through the Urim and Thummim to obtain revelation and what was up with Moses talking to a glowing tree? He stated that Joseph was a gold digger. I said Matthew was a tax collector what's the difference. After another 30 minutes or so he stopped and realized that his faith has the same issues that he claims Mormons do. In the end, though, despite our differences in dogma I stated doesn't it really come down to following the teachings of the Messiah and accepting his atonement on our behalf?

Zion- No Poor Among them

In the Pearl of Great Price Moses wrote, "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." (Moses 7:18)
This Statement is Perplexing to many and as a result there have developed a whole experimental science of achieving Zion through socialism, communism, fascism, capitalism, united order, and united disorder.
Sadly though we often miss the mark on this one. Instead of trying to re-invent the wheel perhaps we should consider that God has already given us an economic system in the Torah. Consider for a moment that Moses who was the author of the above quote also made a similar statement in the Torah and gave the directions for an economic system so that there would be no poor among them: (Deuteronomy 15)

“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.

And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the LORD’s release has been proclaimed.

Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release.

**But there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess—
if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today.

For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
**************
Israel was given economic principles in the Torah such as the first tithe, the shmittah cycle, and the storehouse principles among others that were designed to make them prosperous whether in liberty or bondage. The Law of Tithing found in Section 119 of the D&C is a reiteration of the ancient law of the first tithe-- 10% of your interest income (profitability) annually, etc. We do not need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to open our eyes to the laws and statutes God gave to his people to establish a society where there would be --NO POOR AMONG THEM!