The Doctrine Demands Protecting the Planet: So Why Don’t you?

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States have a complicated relationship with the earth. A survey just released by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) showed that Latter-day Saints care less about climate change than almost all other religions. These data also showed that a significant number of Latter-day Saints think that humans have had little impact on the changing climate, despite scientific data that show otherwise. Given the political conservatism of most Church members in the United States, such findings are both disappointing and unsurprising. What is surprising is that the same survey reported that eighty-four percent of Latter-day Saints reported that “living up to our God–given role as stewards to take care of the earth is extremely important.” Clearly, some members of the LDS Church experience a sort of planetary paradox—recognizing the importance of earth stewardship but failing to be good stewards. Fortunately, the doctrine of the Church offers a clear path forward.  

So, what does LDS doctrine say about earth stewardship? It turns out it says a lot. Recent teachings in the Church have prompted policies that are becoming more “green.” Bishop Gérald Caussé, the current Presiding Bishop of the Church, addressed these topics in a recent talk titled “Our Earthly Stewardship.” He explained why it is so important that Church members develop a deep reverence for the natural world. The simple answer is that each living thing upon the earth—each plant, each animal, the water, the land, all of it—is intended to help mankind approach God. Members of the Church also believe that “the entire earth, including all life thereon, belongs to God.” Our doctrine makes clear that we are simply stewards. In other words, our “property” is not really ours; it is, and always will be, God’s. In our role as stewards, “we have a duty to honor and care for [God's Creation].” This great responsibility requires constant diligence. In sacred scripture we read that “it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things [of the earth] unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:20). Too many members of the Church familiar with this scripture forget to read to the end of the sentence. Good stewardship requires sound judgment regarding nature, avoiding excessive use of earth’s resources, and never using that which belongs to God to extort others. It is in these specific admonitions that we discover what is expected of us as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father in our care of the earth. 

Collectively, members of the Church in the United States have failed as stewards of the earth. The PRRI survey shows that members of the LDS Church are among the least likely to see climate change as a crisis, least likely to support policies to combat climate change, and least likely to acknowledge that humans are a cause of climate change. So, what do we do when we don’t act? What do we do when our behavior, as members of the Church, does not align with our doctrine? The simple answer is that we repent. In the truest sense of the word, we repent. We plead to God for forgiveness that he will make us new creatures and better stewards of the earth. As Christians, we acknowledge that change is not only possible but necessary. What does repenting for neglect and degradation of the planet require? It first requires an acknowledgement of our failure and a commitment to be better in the future. But it also requires righting the wrong. It is not enough to say, “Starting now, I won't exploit the earth and extort others with its natural resources.” We must also take the necessary steps to heal a broken earth. The process of repairing the relationship between the Church and the environment appears to be underway. The Church is changing and, in important ways, is taking the lead. Church policy has quickly come into alignment with Church doctrine. In October 2023, Church leaders at a conference in Brazil highlighted a new commitment to better stewardship of the earth. They outlined six major sustainability priorities, including investment and use of renewable energy, transition to both sustainable agricultural and building practices, and a commitment to reduce carbon emissions. And in Utah, the Church recently donated thousands of water shares to raise the level of the Great Salt Lake. Such advances not only bless the planet but also bless the souls of men and women striving to be good stewards of God’s creation. It has been incredibly optimistic to see the progress the Church has made in recent years. I hope this can be inspiring to all those who recognize these advancements, especially its members. 

Unfortunately, most individual members still lag behind the Church and much of the rest of the world. Some members of the Church continue to show neglect, ignorance, and even arrogance in relation to the planet. It’s commonplace within the heart of Mormondom to drive big trucks, waste food and water, and even mock those trying to better the planet. I don’t list these acts in a trivial way—individual behavior really does play a significant role in conservation and stewardship. But even more important than that, our ability to demonstrate a mastery of stewardship is linked to our eternal salvation. Ultimately, we will be judged according to our desires and our works. Church members that repent and right the wrongs they have committed against the earth demonstrate the meekness of a good steward. And like all types of repentance, this must be a continual process. We should constantly be thinking, “Do my actions align with the doctrine of stewardship?” At times, members of the Church can be quick to condemn others for their perceived wrongdoings and shortcomings while little social pressure is pointed towards stewardship. I am not advocating for the condemnation of others regarding their stewardship, but instead we should constantly self-assess and repent so we can all become better stewards. 

Finally, it is worth asking why members of the Church who clearly recognize the importance of earth stewardship fail to make the needed adjustments? The data suggest that it might be because they value politics more than their own faith (PPRI). But this should never be the case. Politics should not govern our faith, especially when it contradicts doctrine and policy of the Church. Too often members of the Church vote for politicians that actively work against global stewardship. Some prioritize political ideology over our religious values and doctrine. Yet our faith does not demand allegiance to a political ideology. Rather, our faith should inform our political decisions, and we should never betray our doctrine and beliefs when it comes to stewardship of the earth. Members of the Church on both sides of the political aisle have room to improve. Politicizing the environment has had devastating consequences for everyone. Luckily, stewardship can have an opposite effect as well. It has the ability to unite and grow community within the Church. The earth is a great unifier—it is what we all have in common. 

Stewardship of the natural world is too important to allow politics to divide good-hearted people who desire to follow God. When it comes to the planet, we cannot afford to let our doctrine about the creation and our planet be mingled with the philosophies of men. The Creation is a pillar of God’s eternal plan and should be treated with reverence. The time has come for us to reclaim our faithful role as stewards, not owners, of our planet.  Future generations should be given every opportunity to come to know the Creator through His creations as he intended, not as people have exploited the earth thus far. Consider the words of Bishop Caussé when he closed his address by stating the magnitude of this issue: “At the end of this mortal existence, the Master will ask us to give an account for our sacred stewardship, including how we have cared for His creations. I pray that we will then hear His loving words whispered to our hearts: ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’”  We all must repent, and we must save the planet.