The invention is directed to a method of stabilizing metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieves and catalysts derived therefrom. In particular, the invention is directed to a method of treating such molecular sieves with one or more nitrogen containing compounds having a kinetic diameter greater than the average pore size of the activated molecular sieve and selected from the group consisting of amines, monocyclic heterocyclic compounds, organonitrile compounds and mixtures thereof to chemisorbed and/or physisorbed the compound onto the molecular sieve. The compounds may be easily desorbed before or during use and after storage. The invention is also directed to formulating the molecular sieve into a catalyst useful in a process for producing olefin(s), preferably ethylene and/or propylene, from a feedstock, preferably an oxygenate containing feedstock.