Sabbath Devotional: Being Stewards of the Earth begins with Gratitude
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
As many of us are stretching into warmer days, and with the recent Artemis II mission, I have been thinking and marveling at our Earth. My heart turned toward gratitude — especially in a week where we’ve celebrated Earth Day. It’s a fitting time to reflect on the beauty of creation and the responsibility we carry as stewards of it.
I think back to growing up in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, where the rhythms of nature shaped so many meaningful moments. Snow-covered mountainsides in winter, long hikes through sunlit trails in summer, and even quiet afternoons on a public park — each experience offered a reminder that the Earth is not just a resource, but a gift. I’ve stood at the edge of vast oceans, reminded of the magnitude of vastness of God’s love. And now as a parent taking my kids to the desert mountains of Arizona, I feel a responsibility to teach them to respect, love, and care for these spaces. These landscapes aren’t just scenery; they are places of renewal, joy, and connection.
In 2022, Elder Caussé (Presiding Bishop at the time) reminded us “our interactions with the beauties of nature around us can produce some of the most inspiring and delightful experiences in life. The emotions we feel kindle within us a deep sense of gratitude for our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who created this magnificent earth.”
We’re reminded, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). The natural resources we rely on — clean water and fresh air — are entrusted to us, not owned by us. They are signs of God’s provision, and caring for them is an act of faithfulness.
From the very beginning, the Bible gives us a clear calling: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). This is the biblical truth of stewardship — that humanity was created not to dominate creation carelessly, but to tend it with wisdom, humility, and respect. We are caretakers of what ultimately belongs to God.
As one of MWEG’s areas of advocacy, “We believe governments and members of society have an obligation to exercise responsible stewardship of the earth. Human well-being, both now and in the future, is dependent on the earth’s resources. Caring for God’s creations is deeply tied to our faith and to caring for one another.” (https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/environment)
Caring for natural resources isn’t only a personal responsibility; it’s a collective calling. Advocating for their protection — supporting wise policies, educating others, and making thoughtful choices — reflects a commitment to justice and love for future generations. It says we value not only what we’ve received, but what we will pass on.
This week, consider stepping outside, even briefly. Feel the air, notice the colors, listen to the quiet life around you. Let it draw you into gratitude. And from that gratitude, let there be a renewed commitment — to care, to protect, and to cherish the world we’ve been given and to remember to give thanks to the loving God who created it for us.
Rachel Albertsen is the director of events at Mormon Women for Ethical Government.