“Let Them Have Dominion”

Understand the Principal Truths of Stewardship and Responsibility

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

~Genesis 1:28; Moses 2:28 ~

Righteous dominion is more akin to the concept of stewardship, not dominance. There are many positive references to dominion in the scriptures. The psalmist declared of the Lord, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth,” and, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”

~ Stephen W. Liddle: Without Compulsory Means – BYU Devotional, May 3, 2016, ~

In Word: The greatest blessing is that which Our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon each one of us. This comes with the discipline of being good stewards over all that He has created. Within this blessing are two key truths: (1) we are to be fruitful and multiply, and (2) we are to replenish and subdue the earth. Jesus Christ expressed the importance of our stewardship and obedience to these principal truths in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). All of us are required to take responsibility for what our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. With what we are given, we are to be fruitful and multiply those blessings.

Part of this is to create the Kingdom of Heaven within our own lives, hearts, and homes (John 15:5, 7-8). This occurs when we are committed to submitting ourselves over to the will and care of our Heavenly Father. To find opportunities of service toward others. And commit us over to keeping those covenants and commandments which we have made – and which our Heavenly Father has revealed unto us. Because we are blessed, commanded to be fruitful and multiply, we are to replenish and subdue all things rightly under God’s divine wisdom, glory, and direction.

In Deed: Christ explained that stewardship begins when we seek first the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness of God (Matthew 6:33). The blessings are added unto each one of us when we do. How do we seek after the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God? It is through humility, willingness to submit ourselves over to God, and we are committed and willing to take up our cross every day.

Through our discipleship we come to know the nature and truth of who our Heavenly Father is and what he expects of us. To which, the Savior declared, be ye therefore perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48, Philippians 3:15-16; 3 Nephi 12:48). It means we are to be complete and full as it relates to Our Heavenly Father. This, of course, comes after Christ taught the beatitudes of Matthew 5. Our faithful stewardship encompasses our entire sense of self. Stewardship over our health and wellness. Stewardship over our families. Stewardship over our callings and ministry within the Church. Stewardship within our finances. Stewardship within our workplace. Stewardship within our communities.

Take a Moment and Ponder: Blessings are attached when we are willing to walk in faithful obedience. This includes our ability to become good stewards over all that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. What area in your life are you missing out on the blessings Our Heavenly Father has for you? What lacks in your life where you have not been a faithful and good steward? What are you willing to do to begin to take responsibility over those areas where you can receive blessings and increase in faithful service?