The Law of Consecration

This is last week's lesson:
Reading: a. 

Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–42; 51; 78; 82; 104:11–18; 

I have thought about this lesson, the law of consecration for two weeks now, and as usual, I've learned many new things.  I'm so glad we are encouraged to read the scriptures over and over, because if I were to stick with just my first scripture reading I don't think I would love life as I do.

Anyhow,  the law of consecration was and is a law given by God to help the both the spiritual and temporal needs of the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio.  The church was increasing in membership and many people left what they had in other countries and states to assemble with the Saints in Ohio and live the gospel they were just taught.  With this large influx of people, Joseph Smith needed to know what to do to care for their needs.  So, in answer to his questioning, the Lord revealed the law of consecration, summarized in the Church History in the Fullness of Times Student Manual.

One of the underlying principles of this new economic system was that the earth and everything on it belonged to the Lord, and man was a steward (see Psalm 24:1; D&C 104:13–14). Under the law of consecration members of the Church were asked to consecrate, or deed, all their property, both real and personal, to the bishop of the Church. He would then grant an “inheritance,” or stewardship, to an individual from the properties received. The size of the stewardship depended on the circumstances, wants, and needs of the family, as determined jointly by the bishop and the prospective steward (see D&C 42:32–33; 51:3). The family then administered its stewardship to the best of their ability. If they were industrious and successful, then at the year’s end they would have a net gain called a surplus (profit). Any surplus remaining beyond the wants and needs of the family was to be turned over to the storehouse to be used by the bishop to “administer to the poor and needy” (D&C 42:34). The law of consecration was designed to bring about relative economic equality and eliminate greed and poverty.27

Here are some of the spiritual underlying principles from our readings:

It is interesting that when Joseph asked about the law of the church, the Lord first gives to him the 10 commandments as given to Moses with some additional information. (DC 42:18-29): Thou shalt NOT kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, speak evil of thy neighbor, or do him any harm.  Thou shalt serve God and keep His commandments, love thy wife and repent.

Then following this reminder of commandments that instruct us on how to act regarding ourselves and other people, he gives both the prevention and remedy to problems that would occur from breaking the commandments (DC 42:30, 38-42)

 30 And behold, thou wilt remember the ^apoor, and ^bconsecrate of thy properties for their ^csupport that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken. 38 For inasmuch as ye ^ado it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me.
 39 For it shall come to pass, that which I spake by the mouths of my prophets shall be fulfilled; for I will consecrate of the ^arichesof those who embrace my gospel among the Gentiles unto the^bpoor of my people who are of the house of Israel.
 40 And again, thou shalt not be ^aproud in thy ^bheart; let all thy^cgarments be plain, and their ^dbeauty the beauty of the ^ework of thine own hands;
 41 And let all things be done in ^acleanliness before me.
 42 Thou shalt not be ^aidle; for he that is idle shall not eat the^bbread nor wear the garments of the ^claborer.

The law of consecration is supposed to prevent comparing ourselves and our things to others, thereby preventing pride, the poor, idleness.

Other reasons for the law of consecration:

Equality in all things will help advance the cause of the gospel and the sharing of the gospel (DC 78:4-7):

 4 For a permanent and everlasting establishment and order unto my church, to advance the cause, which ye have espoused, to the salvation of man, and to the glory of your Father who is in heaven;
 5 That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.
 6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;
 7 For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.

I really like verse 6: "if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things."  This reminds me of when Jesus fed the people before he taught them, realizing that their physical must be taken care of, as well as their spiritual needs.

The law of consecration gives people opportunities and abilities that they might not have otherwise without the resources of others, which would lead to benefitting all (DC 82:16-20):

 16 Behold, here is wisdom also in me for your good.
 17 And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
 18 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church—
 19 Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.
 20 This order I have appointed to be an everlasting order unto you, and unto your successors, inasmuch as you sin not.

The law of consecration follows an eternal truth: we must all be accountable for what we are given and be held accountable for what we do with what we are given. Also, remember that what we are given comes from God.  (DC 104:11-18)

 11 It is wisdom in me; therefore, a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall organize yourselves and appoint every man his stewardship;
 12 That every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him.
 13 For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a bsteward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.
 14 I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine.
 15 And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
 16 But it must needs be done in mine own away; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
 17 For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
 18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.

Of course God would be able to give everyone everything, so why doesn't He?  He will.  But for now, we not equal in worldly things so that we can learn to win battles we have within of pride, comparisons, envy, stealing, lying, adultery and even killing.  As we give to others and expect nothing in return, we grow closer to the Savior, the one who gave us everything He had to give.


So, are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint required to give everything they have to the church and receive back only what we need to live on?  No. At least not in the fullest sense described in the Doctrine and Covenants above.  We are asked to give 10% of our income that helps support the growth of the church in various ways and we are also asked to give a generous fast offering (amount determined by individuals or families) to help people who cannot supply their own needs.  Any giving beyond that (of time, talents or finances) is certainly welcome, but is up to individuals and families according to their abilities.