Prayer

Giveth Liberally

When Joseph Smith was trying to decide which church to join, he was prompted to ask God after reading James 1:5:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

What does God give liberally to everyone? Is it the wisdom spoken of earlier in the verse? If so, is confirmation of the truthfulness of the gospel through feelings liberal compared to a visit from Jesus and God? If it refers to something else, what is it?

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Kim Siever

Queer Mormon poet with radical political views. I have been married 27 years, and we have 6 children. Sunday school president. Served in the Utah Provo Mission.

11 thoughts on “Giveth Liberally”

  1. Read the terms and the conditions of the clause carefully. You might not be “asking” in the right way.

    Or maybe you have received a liberal portion of wisdom, but you refused to acknowledge it.

  2. Roland, do you think Joseph Smith asked in the right way and all others who have not been visited but received confirmation nonetheless did not?

  3. It’s my opinion that God gives us as much as we need, and no more. You and I don’t need a visitation from Heavenly Father because Joseph Smith already received one.

    Anyway, I don’t think the word “liberally” is meant the way you’re reading it. I was thinking maybe it was meant in the sense that ALL men are given answers when they seek. Not that the answers themselves are liberally given. However I checked references at the Blue Letter Bible website, and it looks like the word translated as “liberally” is more often translated as “simply” or “openly.”

    http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/5/1145735222-5133.html

  4. He gives the Spirit liberally. What I would like to know on the same vein of topic is if Joseph Smith had NOT asked would we be without a Prophet and the gospel today or would God had placed the opportunity in someone elses lap?

  5. Probably someone else’s; there were a lot of people in Joseph Smith’s time who were visited by heavenly personages.

  6. so then why wait till Joseph Smith’s time to bring the gospel back? Why give it to a 14 year old boy?

  8. yes I know it had to be given to someone but why did Christ wait so long in between prophets? Why was it restored at this particular time? And if it had to be given why to a 14 year bo?. I raised 5 14 year olds and I really wouldnt be able to say they were very humbled or capable of that at all. Speaking of which this might interest Kim speaking of boys….. A woman from our ward came up to me at church yesterday and asked if I was from Regina and I said yes and she said do you remember Villy Cardona and I said yes of course and she said you invited us to your house for dinner and you were the only family that ever invited us to their homes for dinner. Then she pipes up I remember you had a bunch of boys and how hyper they were and your sister laughed and said they still are!!

  10. The 14-year old wasn’t ready. That’s why he received several years of tutoring and preparation by Moroni, as well as other life experiences, that humbled, matured, and prepared him for his work.

  11. Another thought on the Lord calling a mere lad to this great work is expressed in the following scriptures:

    1 Nephi 16:29
    Alma 37:6-7
    Doctrine & Covenants 64:33
    1 Corinthians 1:27-28

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