3rd Nephi 24 (Malachi 3)

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger, and fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Once again it seems so clear to me that our priority of seeking wealth is so very wrong.  Pope Francis just created a TED talk in which he talked about the failure of market capitalism. We no longer care for each other.  We are too focused on accumulating wealth.  That phrase, "those that oppress the hireling in his wages" hits the nail on the head.

Too many are working 2 and 3 jobs to get enough money for just pay the basics.  And this while CEOs become millionaires and billionaires. And they become our role models!!

I find it interesting that this chapter soon transitions to the law of tithing.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delight-some land, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Tithing demands that we develop a generous heart, a sense of communal responsibility.  Tithing is straight and simple - no loopholes or write-offs.  Each gives 10% toward the welfare of the whole.  None excluded.

So if you look at the totality of what is said here in chapter 24:

1. Pay the hireling an adequate wage (living wage?)
2. Care for the widow and the fatherless (some will always need assistance)
3. Don't turn side the stranger (immigration)
4. Give to the good of the whole. No if, ands or buts!

It's the Lord's way.  It has worked so well for the church that it has allowed the church to develop its many humanitarian programs.  As societies we would be wise to do the same.