Lesson 14 - D&C 42: 30-42; 51; 78; 82;
104:11-18 Our Heritage pg. 26
In February 1831, just after the Saints commenced gathering
in Kirtland, Ohio, the law of consecration was revealed and Saints were
commanded to begin living the law. D&C 42:30.
Consecration: The
setting apart or dedication of something to the Lord’s service.
Law
of Consecration: The Lord’s way of having individuals consecrate
their time, talents, and possessions to the building up of the kingdom and the
service of His children.
While this law was observed incompletely and unsuccessfully
at various times in Ohio, Missouri, and Utah, it is now in suspense, awaiting a
future time when it will be restored.
The Church as an entity failed in the effort to live in harmony with the
doctrine, so the Lord suspended the practice for now. Provisions of the law include:
§
D&C 42:30 Consecration of possessions: Under the
law, Church members voluntarily consecrated their possessions to the Church via
a legal deed. See D&C 42:30.
§
D&C 42:32; 51:3. Receiving a stewardship: Upon deeding their possessions to the
Church, members received a stewardship grant from their bishop. This stewardship was granted from the total
consecrated property and the size of it was based on the family’s circumstances
and needs as determined by the bishop after consultation with the head of the
receiving family.
§
D&C 42:33; 51:13; 42:34-35. Surpluses: Under
the law, if the family had more than they really needed, any and all surpluses
produced from the stewardship were to be turned over to the bishop for the
bishop’s storehouse so that resources would be available when needed for those
whose production did not meet their needs.
In addition, the bishop used those resources to build houses of worship
and fund other worthy causes.
§
D&C 78:3; 92:1; 104.
The
United Order: The Lord revealed
in early 1832 that there must be an organization—the “united order”—to regulate
and administer the law of consecration among the people. Various revelations gave specific
instructions.
Purposes of the law of consecration included:
§
D&C 42:30 – care of the poor and needy (verses 31-34
provide elaboration)
§
D&C 42:35 – to purchase lands, build houses of worship,
and build the New Jerusalem
§
D&C 42:40 – to help His people overcome and avoid pride
§
D&C 42:42 – to help His people be industrious and avoid
idleness
§
D&C 51:9 – to help the Lord’s people develop unity and
be one
§
D&C 78:3-7 – to help us be equal in earthly things and
prepare for the celestial kingdom
§
D&C 78:14 – to help the Church “stand independent above
all other creatures”
§
D&C 82:17-19 – to help members develop talents for the
good of all, seek the interest of their neighbor, and do all things with an eye
single to God’s glory.
Clearly, this law is not just a worthy economic program or
demanding temporal commandment—it is designed to prepare a people for living
celestial laws and growing spiritually. D&C 29:34-35.
Accounts of the Lord’s people living the law of consecration
are found in the Pearl of Great Price (Moses 7:18), the New Testament (Acts
4:32,34-35), and the Book of Mormon (4 Nephi 1:1-3,15).
Although living the law of consecration is not now required, we do not have to wait until it is required to learn to live the law. If we learn to obey this spiritual and temporal law now, we will be prepared to live it fully when the Lord asks us to live it in the future. We can choose to:
D&C 104:13-14; D&C 51:19;
78:22 teach ownership, responsibility, and reward.
Bishop Victor L. Brown said that
until we “feel
in total harmony” that everything we have belongs to the Lord, “it will be difficult, if
not impossible, for us to accept the law of consecration. As we prepare to live this law, we will look
forward with great anticipation to the day when the call will come. If, on the other hand, we hope it can be
delayed so we can have the pleasure of accumulating material things, we are on
the wrong path” (1976 Devotional Speeches of the Year [1977], 439)
Be willing to sacrifice your time,
talents, and possessions now so that you will not encounter difficulties later
when the Lord implements the full requirements of the law of consecration. How do we do that?
§
Pay tithing, fast offerings, and give generously in other
ways to those in need. Elder Marion G.
Romney asked: “
What prohibits us from giving as much in fast offerings as we would have given
in surpluses under the United Order?
Nothing but our own limitations.” (Improvement Era, 1966,
537)
§
Serve willingly in the Church. D&C 107:99. We should fulfill the callings we receive to
the best of our ability, share the gospel with others, do our family history
and temple work, and assist those who are new converts or those members who may
have weak testimonies to strengthen them.
§
Serve a fulltime mission.
Elder Robert D. Hales taught: “Going on a mission teaches you to live the law of
consecration. It may be the only time in your life when you can give to the
Lord all your time, talents, and resources. In return the Lord will bless you
with His Spirit to be with you. He will be close to you and strengthen you.” (Ensign, May 1996,
36)
D&C 82:19 and Jacob 2:17 teach how we are to show our love for others. Developing that love for others is essential to living the law of consecration—it is the foundation of that law. Elder Thomas S. Monson tells a story of his youth when his mother would have him deliver Sunday dinner to an elderly neighbor—old Bob. He wondered why he couldn’t eat first and take Bob’s plate later, but his mother would insist that it be delivered first. Elder Monson remembers how grateful the elderly man was each week for Sis. Monson’s compassionate service. He remembers strongly how much better Sunday dinner tasted after he had completed his delivery to the old man. (Ensign, Feb. 1992, 4)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “We
tend to think of consecration only in terms of property and money. But there
are so many more ways of keeping back part” (Ensign, Nov 1992,
66)
D&C 64:34 and these examples
give us an idea of how we might fall short of the goal:
Ø An
unwillingness to be completely submissive to the Lord’s will. Elder Maxwell
said: “The submission of one’s will is the really the only uniquely personal
thing that we have to place on God’s altar. …The many other things we ‘give’
…are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when you and I finally submit
ourselves, by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then
we really give something to Him! It is the only possession which is truly ours
to give!” (Ensign, Nov 1995, 24)
Ø An
unwillingness to give up selfish things—our roles, our preeminence, our
possessions.
Ø Letting
hobbies or other diversions become too consuming
Ø Giving
commendable civic service but becoming strangers to the temple and the
scriptures
Ø Being
dutiful in family responsibilities, but not being gentle and Christlike with
some family members
Ø Building
up ourselves first before the kingdom of God
Ø Being
privately prideful while sharing talents publicly
Ø Accepting
a church calling while our hearts are more set on things of the world
We should examine our lives carefully to see how we can
consecrate ourselves more fully.
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