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First I looked up "stewardship" in the topical guide.
Here were words like "charge", "service", "husbandman", "ruler",
"required", "faithful", and "responsibility" as the main key
words. Instructions were to also see Accountability and Delegation
of Responsibility.
Accountability added words such as "iniquity", "sinned",
"cleansed", "done", "require", "not bear", "prepared not", "according",
"soweth", "law", "sins", "blameless", and "condemn". Also see words
were Age of; Baptism, Qualifications for; Good Works; Judgement;
Punishment; Retribution.
Delegation of Responsibility had additional words such as
"head", "seventy", "honour", "wise men", "spake", "officers",
"watchman", "called", "keys", "authority", "ordained", "sent",
"stewards", "consecrated", "conferred", "appoint", "appointed",
"send", "minister", and "preside". Also see word was Leadership.
A good way to define stewardship is the delegation of
responsibility with accountability. This, of course, follows the
patriarchal line which God has established (or is following now
and is just passing on to his posterity). With God, everything is
done through the Priesthood. Only through the Melchezidek Priesthood
can exaltation be accomplished, and only with a man and woman married
in God's way (1 Cor 11:11), (D&C 132). There are basically five steps
to exaltation, and each one must be done under that stewardship given
to the Melchezidek Priesthood :
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation and Gift of the Holy Ghost
3. Melchezidek Priesthood
4. Endowment
5. Married for Eternity or Sealed
The obtaining of these steps takes a certain effort upon the part of
the person(s) receiving them. As some of the words seen above show,
one must be anxiously engaged :
D&C 107:99 Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in
the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.
D&C 107:100 He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand,
and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not
approved shall not be counted worthy to stand.
Even so. Amen.
D&C 58:29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and
receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it
with slothfulness, the same is damned.
D&C 43:15 Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have
appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach
the children of men the things which I have put into your
hands by the power of my Spirit;
D&C 43:16 And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves
and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even
as I have spoken.
To accept and accomplish the five steps is not enough, but one must
endure to the end with service and good words until they have charity
towards all mankind with the pure love of Christ in their being.
Service happens with church callings, families and children, and
goodwill in the community (neighbors). It is a very detailed and
involved process, and only through repeated scripture readings and the
application of said doctrine can proper knowledge be obtained. I am
learning (or becoming aware) of the principles every year. As I read
I come to realize how much I still don't know or comprehend, but at
least I am in there plugging away.
Hopefully this will start off the discussion, and we can edify each
other. After all, we have to learn this principle if we are to ever
grow up to become like our parents.
Charles
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