Thrift

 

Alex is currently serving at the Mexico City missionary training center.

Having just spent a year at college, there are of course many parallels to the communal living experience including eating in the dining hall.

However, there is one very stark difference which she recognized and embraced immediately.  Contrary to the very American practice of taking tons of food and then discarding what you don't feel like eating, they are instructed to take minimal amounts first and eat it all, before getting more if still hungry.  

Why? Because wasting is not God's way nor does it show true gratitude.  

And she told of the employees there who are grateful for their jobs but see the poverty all around them all the time.  And when one of them saw a missionary dump a plate of food, she began to cry.  

To see some throw edible food in the trash while others starve is crushing.  

Can you do better? I know I can.  And with the ability to stretch our dollars and teach our kids to appreciate what is in front of them we are better able to share, and prepare our families for whatever outcome may lie ahead.  

President James E Faust counseled, "Practice thrift and frugality. There is a wise old saying: “Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Thrift is a practice of not wasting anything."

He said that this was one of the principles which would keep us on sure footing economically and allow us to have at least some more control over our own destinies.  What wise counsel for a day in which we see ever increasing costs and inflation.