In 1831, as church members began arriving in Ohio, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith how He wanted them to think about their responsibilities in their new home:
Whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.
Doctrine and Covenants 51:19
This passage echoes a statement the Savior made during His mortal ministry:
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matthew 24:45; Luke 12:42
To be faithful is to be reliable and trustworthy in fulfilling your responsibilities.
To be just is to treat people fairly and to act with integrity.
To be wise is to be thoughtful and to consider the long-term implications of your decisions.
It’s easy to understand why the Lord wants us to incorporate all three qualities into our stewardships. When we are mindful of our accountability, treat others with respect, and make prudent decisions, He can trust us.
We should apply the same criteria when we entrust other people with important responsibilities.
When King Mosiah abolished the monarchy and established a system of judges selected by the people, he used two of these adjectives to describe the kind of leaders they should select:
- “We will appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the commandments of God” (Mosiah 29:11).
- “If it were possible that you could have just men to be your kings, … then it would be expedient that ye should always have kings to rule over you” (Mosiah 29:13).
In 1833, the Lord used similar language as he taught church members about civic engagement and selecting people to serve in public office:
When the wicked rule the people mourn.
Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
Doctrine and Covenants 98:9-10
So we earn the Lord’s trust and other people earn our trust through honesty, goodness, faithfulness, justice and wisdom. Of course we won’t be perfect and our leaders won’t be perfect, but we ought to care about these qualities, and we ought to support leaders who care about them as well.
Today, I will strive to be faithful, just and wise in my responsibilities, and I will support and uphold leaders who do the same.