Divine Stewardship: A Call To Bless The Earth and Its People
Divine stewardship was the theme of Camille Johnson’s young adult devotional in May 2025. This powerful declaration by a dear friend came after watching the devotional:
“This can change the world! It’s so easy, so simple, so divine!”
This life-changing devotional can be seen here.
In the meantime, what does stewardship have to do with us? Discover two differing perspectives below.
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Global Goals
A statement about this devotional, made by an anonymous person, caught my eye. This person said that Sister Johnson’s devotional aligns perfectly with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This peaked my curiosity, so I did some research.
My understanding is that the SDG consists of the following 17 goals:
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life On Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnership for the Goals
(Source)
Most Recent Update
The SDG was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Here is there most recent update on how things are going:
Update on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Period: 27 July 2023 – 24 July 2024
The report begins with “As we begin the second half of our journey to 2030…”. Keep this phrase in mind because it will be addressed later in this commentary.
Next comes the bad news: According to the report, “only seventeen per cent of SDGs targets are on track to be achieved, nearly half are showing minimal or moderate progress, and progress on over a third has stalled or even regressed”.
Causes
The causes of these terrible statistics are then mentioned in some detail:
1. COVID-19 pandemic
2. Growing number of conflicts
3. Geopolitical and trade tensions
4. The ever-worsening effects of climate change
5. Massive shortcomings in our global economic and financial systems
6. Historical injustices
7. A weakening of global solidarity
Brought to our attention now are specific areas that have suffered due to the afore mentioned causes:
1. Overall progress in global health has slowed
2. Progress on education – the foundation upon which so much rests – remains of grave concern
3. Limited progress on achieving gender parity
4. Persistently high levels of violence against women and girls
5. Greenhouse concentrations hit record highs in 2022, with real-time data in 2023 indicating a continued rise
6. Carbon dioxide levels have surged
7. Progress towards a net-zero transition [has been hindered]
8. Ocean acidification is on the rise
9. Species extinction risk is worsening
10. Violent organized crime and illicit arms trafficking continue[s]
11. Civilian casualties in armed conflict increased by 72%
12. Overall sustainable development grants to developing countries fell
Thankfully, they report, there is a glimmer of hope due to:
1. [A reduction in] the global infant mortality rate
2. The incidence of HIV infections and the cost of remittances
3. Increasing access to water and sanitation
4. Many countries are pursuing SDG transformation with real determination and they are making tangible progress
“What’s more,” they continue, “governments remain united behind the 2030 Agenda.”
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Greater Speed and Scale
If you are wondering why governments remain united behind this failing agenda, you are not alone.
The report continues with an urgent message for each of us so that we might get the agenda back on track with their timeline:
“It is essential that we protect this commitment,” they state, “by taking the critical steps needed to deliver transformative progress between now and 2030, at much greater speed and scale.”
Did you catch that?
At much greater speed and scale.
According to the UN, in order to reach the SDG goals by 2030, the following needs to take place…at much greater speed and scale:
1. We need peace
2. We must deliver concrete changes to the international policies, instruments and institutions that greatly impact the flow of development finance
Read more on development finance here and note in the final paragraph another call for urgency: “The world is at a crossroads. This is the last chance to correct course if we want to achieve the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. Only an urgent, large-scale and sustainable investment push can help us achieve our global goals.”
3. We must double down [with key transitions]on those areas that can unlock transformative progress across the goals (The areas mentioned include energy, food and digital connectivity, social protection, jobs, education, environment.)
Download a pdf with more information on the Six Transitions, on which is stated the purpose of the transitions: “…to help countries unlock the rapid and deep transformations needed to achieve the Goals by 2030.”
In addition, these transitions are needed for “rewiring economies to combat the triple planetary crisis and to reduce inequalities”.
(Source)
Divine Stewardship
Having shared information on the United Nations development plan, let’s now take a look at God’s plan to tackle issues similar to those included in the SDG:
1. No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being
“God’s power will enhance your capacities, enlarge the talents with which you have been bless, and help you see Him in the hungry, the thirsty, the estranged, and the sick.” ⎯Sister Camille Johnson
“And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” (Mosiah 4:26)
“…we are to give drink to the thirsty. Blessing our neighbors with access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is critical to human flourishing.” ⎯Sister Camille Johnson
2. Stewardship of the Earth
“For what or for whom do you have stewardship?
It’s really all of God’s creations on this earth. You have stewardship for
- your own body and mind
- the abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, and the help with which you have been blessed
- the earth
- one another
⎯Sister Camille Johnson
“For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:17)
“There is enough to spare if we share our abundance of blessings and use our agency as Christlike stewards of the earth.” ⎯Sister Camille Johnson
“As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.” ⎯President Russell M. Nelson
3. Quality Education
“The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually.” ⎯Elder Henry B. Eyring
4. Peace and Unity
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 12:34-35)
5. Work and Economic Growth
“Work is a blessing from God. It is a fundamental principle of salvation, both spiritual and temporal…Work is the means to achieve happiness, prosperity, and salvation. When work and duty and joy are co-mingled, then man is at his best.” ⎯Bishop J. Richard Clarke, The Value of Work
“We have a moral obligation to exercise our personal capabilities of mind, muscle, and spirit in a way that will return to the Lord, our families, and our society the fruits of our best efforts. To do less is to live our lives unfulfilled. It is to deny ourselves and those dependent upon us opportunity and advantage. We work to earn a living, it is true; but as we toil, let us also remember that we are building a life. Our work determines what that life will be.” ⎯Bishop J. Richard Clarke, The Value of Work
6. Sustainable Cities and Communities
“The Law of Consecration is the law that the Lord gave his saints to insure that his people become one spiritually, socially, and economically, and that all of his faithful children are treated fairly….What kind of society would exist if people in an entire community were willing to make and keep a covenant to live by these principles? What advantages would come to an individual or family living in a community where people lived the law of consecration? Can you think of experiences in which a society living this law (or a family attempting to implement the principles of this law) would have been a blessing to you or your family in a time of hardship or need?” (Source)
Similarities and Differences
What similarities and differences do you notice between the United Nations’ plan and God’s plan?
One person observed that the church brings an eternal perspective to stewardship and dominion over the world, while worldly global elites distort this principle to gain power and control and seek the honors of men. The church, they believe, has a true perspective on stewardship. What is your opinion?
In his October 2024 talk Days Never to Be Forgotten, Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke of thrilling days to come, between 2024 and 2034:
“…as we enter this coming decade of unprecedented moments, may we share glad tidings through the simple activities of living, caring, inviting, and uniting. As we do so, the Lord will bless us with experiences never to be forgotten.”
Plan Timelines:
United Nation Plan decade = 2020-2030
God’s Plan decade = 2024-2034
Conclusion
This commentary began with a heartfelt declaration made by a dear friend. It seems only fitting to close this commentary with the rest of her comment:
“This makes me want to do more or do things better.”
Take what you will from this message, and proceed as the Holy Spirit directs. God has a work for us to do in following His stewardship plan as we prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
And time is running out.
“Friends, we need you! I hope that you will earnestly seek revelation and use your gifts and talents to find creative solutions to help bless the future of all God’s children. This is surely part of your divine stewardship.” ⎯Sister Camille Johnson
“And 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 52:19)
That we will each follow the Lord’s plan for building unity and His Kingdom on earth is my earnest prayer, for it truly is the only plan that will succeed.
“This can change the world! It’s so easy, so simple, so divine!”
Resources
Inspiring ideas for blessing the earth and its people:
- Volunteer to work with refugees
- Volunteer within your community here
- Attend a self-reliance class with someone
- Find opportunities to teach life skills to those in need
- Volunteer to feed the homeless (Read one family’s experience)
- Collect and donate school supplies, baby items, food, clothing, or other needed items
- Learn more about the largest women’s organization in the world, the Relief Society, and how you can get involved with their relief efforts
