VISIONS 3, PART 4 - THE WEAK & THE POOR

After this great vision of the kingdom, Elisha is rightfully overwhelmed and concerned that he might not be fully cut out for the task, primarily due to his socioeconomic status; he is neither rich nor powerful. However, the Lord's reply is something that is applicable to all of us in our own personal endeavors and spiritual callings. As we walk in faith, the way is prepared, and we are given what we need to accomplish the task at hand (see 1 Nephi 3:7; 4:6). We are more often than not given spiritual help and guidance, not worldly riches. In fact, like the rich man in Jerusalem who went away sorrowing (Matt 19, Mark 10, Luke 18), the Lord commands Elisha to sell all that he has and give it to the poor. In this way, he will, in essence, be forced to follow the Spirit and rely upon God even for his daily sustenance, just as Christ and His apostles did (Matt 6, Luke 12). If Elisha can't follow through with this, the work will be given to another. God's plan and foresight are perfect enough to bring about His purposes on our behalf--our immortality and eternal life (Moses 1:39)--while still allowing for man's agency in choosing to serve and follow Him.

Elisha is also commanded not to make any money from his endeavors, solely charging publishing costs for the translated record. (The current 2013 version is $18.25 in paperback on Lulu.com. Comparing that to the 1829 Book of Mormon, EB Grandin agreed to print 5000 hardback copies for $3000--almost $65,000 today. The first copies sold for $1.50 each, or about $32 in today's money; however, many of them were just given away.)

As for power and influence, the Lord tells Elisha that he will have no power over others except it's given from God. The agency of other's is not to be removed, controlled, or trampled upon. Again, he is not to rely on his own strength nor trust in the arm of flesh, which are weak and will fail, but to trust in the arm of God, which will never fail. He is to spread the work first among weak and poor in the Philippines, and the field is white and ready to harvest there (see HERE). But even though they might seem weak to others and even in their own eyes, they will gather together in great strength because of the Gospel and this work. Then, after this, the pure in heart among the rich will be gathered in.

Once the work has moved forward, Elisha is commanded to appoint leaders over the kingdom from among the believers. However, they should not desire the position or seek power over others; this is a sure sign of wickedness and pride. But they should be humble, meek, and strong in the ways of God; they also shouldn't walk to be seen or praised of men but walk uprightly before God.

This whole section is another lesson on pride and setting our hearts on worldly riches and glory and what it takes to be a humble follower of Christ. We are commanded to seek first the kingdom of God, but much of the time Mammon becomes our master (Matt 6). Jacob echoes the words of Christ as he pled with his people:

Let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good--to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. (Jacob 2:16-19)

How often are the rich humble and the poor proud? Alma the Younger taught that poverty often helps to soften those who might've otherwise been quite hardened.

I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?

Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed--yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they believe. (Alma 32:12-16) 

As Christ mentions to Elisha (and just as Joseph Smith recorded), it is pride and worldly aspirations that disqualify one for authority and service in His kingdom.

Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson--

That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.

Hence many are called, but few are chosen.

No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile--

Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. (D&C 121:34-46) 

These are the qualities of a true disciple of Christ, a righteous leader in His kingdom, or a humble bearer of His priesthood.