An education that includes God

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Saturday Morning Session of the April 1985 Conference.

Just a quote this week, from Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk called "Reverence for Life". I have always liked this scripture about "enough and to spare," but I really how he uses it here:

Another excuse some use to justify abortion relates to population control. Many in developing nations unknowingly ascribe their lack of prosperity to overpopulation. While they grovel in ignorance of God and his commandments, they may worship objects of their own creation (or nothing at all), while unsuccessfully attempting to limit their population by the rampant practice of abortion. They live in squalor, oblivious to the divine teaching—stated in the scriptures not once, but thirty-four times—that people will prosper in the land only if they obey the commandments of God. 

How can God fulfill his promise to prosper his children in obedience if they worship idols or destroy life created by him—destined to be in his very image? 

They will prosper only when their education includes faith in and obedience to the God of this world, who said, 

“I, the Lord, … built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine. And it is my purpose to provide. … But it must needs be done in mine own way. … For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare.” (D&C 104:14–17; italics added.)

Other posts in this series:

To boldly stand for truth and righteousness—by Jan Tolman