With all the talk of the Economic Stimulus package to revive the economy, it starts to make me wonder.

What if taking capital and spreading it around to stimulate the economy would work in our spiritual lives?

Imagine if there was a Spiritual Stimulus package. Could that help individuals who are bankrupt spiritually?

Okay, so if we take spiritual capital from one group and give it to another, would it work? Would it help bolster individuals to be on the spiritual plain that they (we) need to be?

We read in the story of the 10 virgins (Matt. 25). As they waited on the Bridegroom, five who were not prepared, with their oil running out, quickly imposed on their fellow celebrators to ask for some of their oil. They were told “no” and they rushed off to buy oil elsewhere.

We know that the oil, our testimony, accumulated drop by drop in living our lives as a follower of Christ, cannot be given away.

While we can and should share what we believe, we know that our belief, faith, and testimony cannot save them. Every individual upon this earth has to determine for themselves whether they believe in and follow the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and accept him as their personal Savior.

However, if we change the scenario slightly, and instead of taking spiritual capital from one group to give to another, we instead look to the source of unlimited spiritual capital, Jesus Christ. Now, unlike government plans, we all are “pre-qualified.”

All who come to this earth can be redeemed from their bad debts, regardless of how hopeless it seems, no matter what we have done.

There are some stipulations, and unfortunately, some feel they are too restrictive to accept the help so freely offered. There is no paperwork to fill out, no rebates to wait upon.

We simply must be willing to give a broken heart, and a contrite spirit. And then live our lives as he has taught. Now that’s the kind of “bail–out” we can all live with.

Robert Elmore is the bishop for the Oak Mountain Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. He can be reached by phone at 664–0707.