Be Diligent, That thou Mayest be a Wise Steward

Be diligent . . . that thou mayest be a wise steward
D&C 136:27

The beginning of a new year is a time to start over, a time to set new goals and re-evaluate some old ones. Most of us still have some resolutions on our minds. Maybe you’ve even stuck to a few of them so far. If so, great!

As I was thinking about what I needed to rededicate myself to this year, scripture study was on the top of my list. While serving in the primary the past couple of years I’ve found that I have become less and less diligent in reading the lesson materials for Sunday school. I eventually found myself wondering, “What are we even studying this year, anyway?” That was my wakeup call.

I decided that even though I don’t attend the adult classes on Sunday, I was missing out if I didn’t follow along with the lesson material. I didn’t realize how much I needed that extra nourishment from the Spirit! It has helped me add structure to my personal scripture study, and been a stimulating addition to my usual primary material.

If you haven’t done so already, it’s not too late to make it a goal to keep up with the Sunday school & Priesthood/RS lesson materials. If you are able to attend class, read the lesson ahead of time so you can participate in the discussions. Be diligent in learning the doctrines of the church. Re-dedicate yourself to home and visiting teaching. Now is a great time to start if you’ve never done it. The monthly messages in the Ensign contain still more modern day revelation for us to feast upon.

The Sunday School and Priesthood/RS classes are there to help us all learn, line upon line, and precept upon precept. As we dedicate a portion of our time to studying the teachings of the Lord, he will bless us with the knowledge that we need to be wise stewards in our lives and homes.

’Tis Almost the Season!

The holidays are now upon us. What a fun and exciting time of year. Above all, there is the lingering question: How do we keep the true spirit of Christmas front and center in our families amidst all the hustle and bustle? For many, the pressure of finances can get in the way of feeling the spirit of Christmas. Here are a few tips that might help in your efforts to be a wise steward during the holidays:

#1 Agree on a budget. If you haven’t already, decide now how much you are going to spend on gifts, decorations, food, etc. Now for the hard part: STICK TO IT! If it’s not in the budget, do without. If you feel like it’s important, write it down so you can budget for it next year.

#2 Don’t go into debt. We’ve been counseled again and again not to go into debt for things we don’t need. A wise steward plans ahead. Saving money beforehand gives you freedom and peace of mind. If you didn’t save up this year, make it a priority for next year.

#3 Get the family involved. Especially in lean years it’s important to keep the whole family appropriately involved. Young members of the family can learn valuable lessons about service and frugality. They also might surprise you with innovative ideas to save money. Above all, it’s a great way to bring a family closer together when you are all working toward a common goal.

#4 Start Now! Now is the time to put plans into action. If cutting back on what you spend on gifts is in your plan, start now to prepare for creative ways to get into the spirit of giving. Homemade gifts, gifts of service, even letters of kind thoughts, these can be more memorable and meaningful than a toy or a sweater.

The following is a quote by Pres. Thomas S. Monson from his Christmas devotional message from December 2003: “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all.”

If you have money to give, Great! If you have time to give, Even Better! To give of ourselves is our goal and the surest way to keep the principles Christ taught in our homes during this wonderful time of year.

Preparing Your Taxes

Are you doing your own taxes this year? With the many computer tax software programs available, many people do. But before you go out and buy that computer software, try visiting the IRS website first. Many companies offer free programs for individuals with a household income below 57,000 for 2009. Just go to http://www.irs.gov/ and look for the “free-file” link on the right side of the page. You can then access a list of companies that offer free federal tax preparation or fill out a quick Q & A that will help find a program that you qualify for. It may take a few more minutes, but will save you quite a few dollars if you were planning on buying the program anyway. Just make sure, as always, to use common sense when putting your personal information on the web. Go with a reputable company that you recognize and use only secure sites. Submitting your federal tax return online is simple and you may get your refund back faster, but you can also print out your completed federal tax return and mail it in if you prefer.

Be aware that many sites offer state tax return services, but they are not free. Also be careful to access your return through the IRS website. Some companies only allow you to access their free-file option if you link from the IRS website, which means if you go to the company’s homepage you won’t be able to access their free-file option.