“Sufficient for Our Needs as We Age,” Liahona, July 2024, United States and Canada Section.
Aging Faithfully
Sufficient for Our Needs as We Age
Health and financial challenges can make life decisions more difficult. Here are the stories of three couples who, with faith in the Lord and help from others, found ways to move forward.
Preparing for Retirement
As Ben and Lisa (names have been changed) approached age 60, they shared with me their fears about their financial future. Ben had a steady job, and Lisa worked part-time. However, they had failed to be realistic about retirement.
“We want to retire at age 62, go on a mission, and return to our same spending throughout retirement. Can we do it?” Because of my experience as a financial adviser, they asked for my help to see what could be done. After some analysis, I told them, “You can go on a mission, but you will still need to work until at least age 75 to maintain your lifestyle.” The feeling of despair set in.
The fear of running out of money is widespread. According to a recent survey, 61 percent of Americans (of various ages) fear running out of money in their old age more than they fear dying.
Is fear about our finances justified if we are keeping the commandments? We read, “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land” (2 Nephi 1:20). From Bishop Gérald Caussé we learn:
“Although the blessing of prosperity mentioned in [the] scriptures is principally of a spiritual nature, it also includes the ability for the people of God to enjoy economic progress and become temporally self-reliant.
“… Temporal prosperity originates in the faithful observance of a few guiding principles that were revealed by the Lord through His prophets.”
While Ben and Lisa had always paid their tithes, they had disregarded other guiding principles. There are no shortcuts to financial freedom. Even after painfully adjusting their spending, Ben and Lisa needed to do more. One major way to free up resources, current and future, was to sell their home, moving into a smaller but comfortable home with lower upkeep expenses.
With their new focus turned toward serving the Lord rather than maintaining an affluent facade, they received new spiritual promptings. As a result, they were able to retire at age 65 and serve a mission.
Finding a New Purpose
David and Jean had lived frugally and saved money. When they retired, they planned to travel, go on missions, and still leave their children an inheritance. At age 70, Jean died suddenly following a short illness.
David never imagined Jean would pass away so young before they could live their dream life. Traveling wasn’t appealing anymore. Leaving an inheritance for the children became a lower priority as they were all living comfortably.
In King Benjamin’s address, we read the counsel to teach our children (and grandchildren) to love and serve one another (see Mosiah 4:15). He then says, “And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need” (verse 16).
David began to find purpose by volunteering and donating as he could to worthy causes. He continued to pray for heavenly help in his new circumstances. Inspiration followed. He felt impressed to involve the grandchildren in his volunteer efforts.
As the grandchildren grew older, he gave each of them a modest “Grandma Jean Allowance” to donate, after careful research, to a charitable cause of their choice. They bonded in their quest to bless others in memory of Grandma Jean.
Seeking Help from Others
Margaret and Dean’s life also took an unexpected turn when Dean developed early Alzheimer’s. He could no longer help with the finances, and Margaret felt lost. With help from their children, Margaret pieced together available resources. Yet she froze when making decisions about finances and about Dean’s care.
Margaret wore herself out as Dean’s primary caregiver. She was afraid they couldn’t afford caregivers or moving to an assisted-living facility.
Where could she turn for help beyond her immediate family circle?
Seeking direction from heaven, she soon found peace. She was guided to her team of angels. These angels came in the form of physicians, financial professionals, and Church leaders. They not only found ways to reposition resources but also found outside sources of help.
Through her bishop’s wise counsel, Margaret learned she need not feel guilty about being unable to care for Dean by herself. She gained the confidence to move him into a moderately priced assisted-living center where caregivers were available as needed. Dean was later moved to a memory-care wing where Margaret could still visit him daily. Margaret also enjoyed the social support from the other residents in the center. The children and grandchildren visited often.
Many hard decisions had to be made, but Margaret had the peace of knowing that her resources were sufficient. If needed, however, her children had offered to chip in. These difficult family discussions brought them all closer together.
Her story illustrates what President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught: “We should prayerfully seek inspiration and direction in caring for the elderly. There is always a great diversity of individuals and individual needs.”
While navigating unforeseen financial circumstances, all three couples obtained their sought-after spiritual peace—all in different ways due to their unique situations. Faith in Jesus Christ was their foundation as they moved forward with confidence beyond their own abilities.
The author and his wife are serving as senior missionaries in the California Oakland/San Francisco Mission.