This is a review of the slides we used while discussing... The Law of Consecration D&C 42

Many of the underlying principles which were part of the law of consecration...have been retained and are still binding upon the Church (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 158). Many of the underlying principles which were part of the law of consecration...have been retained and are still binding upon the Church (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 158).

We covenant to live the law of consecration. This law is that we consecrate our time, talents, strength, property, and money for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on this earth and the establishment of Zion. Until one abides by the laws of obedience, sacrifice, the gospel, and chastity, he cannot abide the law of consecration, which is the law pertaining to the celestial kingdom.... I am confident if we will properly teach the true purpose and underlying principles behind the present welfare plan, and encourage members to live according to these principles, we will not be far from living the united order (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.121). I am confident if we will properly teach the true purpose and underlying principles behind the present welfare plan, and encourage members to live according to these principles, we will not be far from living the united order (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.121).

There is a common axiom among us which states: A religion that cannot save a man temporally does not have power to save him spiritually. If we cannot care for our temporal needs in this world, how can we ever succeed in spiritual things in the world to come? (Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, May 1979, 92).

3 Principles to the “Law” ConsecrationConsecration StewardshipStewardship SufficiencySufficiency

The fundamental principle of this system was the private ownership of property. Each man owned his portion, or inheritance, or stewardship, with an absolute title, which he could alienate, or hypothecate, or otherwise treat as his own. The Church did not own all of the property, and the life under the United Order was not a communal life, as the Prophet Joseph, himself said, (History of the Church, Volume III, p. 28). The United Order is an individualistic system, not a communal system (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Conference Report, October 1942, p. 57). The fundamental principle of this system was the private ownership of property. Each man owned his portion, or inheritance, or stewardship, with an absolute title, which he could alienate, or hypothecate, or otherwise treat as his own. The Church did not own all of the property, and the life under the United Order was not a communal life, as the Prophet Joseph, himself said, (History of the Church, Volume III, p. 28). The United Order is an individualistic system, not a communal system (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Conference Report, October 1942, p. 57).

On February 9, 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet what His way was. (See D&C 42.) In His way there were two cardinal principles: (1) consecration, and (2) stewardship. On February 9, 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet what His way was. (See D&C 42.) In His way there were two cardinal principles: (1) consecration, and (2) stewardship. To enter the United Order one consecrated all his possessions to the Church by a "covenant and deed which" could "not be broken." That is, he completely divested himself of all of his property by conveying it to the Church. Having thus voluntarily divested himself of title to all his property, the consecrator received from the Church a stewardship by a like conveyance. This stewardship could be more or less than his original consecration the object being to make "every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs." (D&C 51:3.)

This procedure preserved in every man the right to private ownership and management of his property. At his own option he could alienate it or keep and operate it and pass it on to his heirs. This procedure preserved in every man the right to private ownership and management of his property. At his own option he could alienate it or keep and operate it and pass it on to his heirs. The intent was, however, for him to so operate his property as to produce a living for himself and his dependents. So long as he remained in the Order he consecrated to the Church the surplus he produced above the needs and wants of his family. This surplus went into a storehouse, from which stewardships were given to others, and from which the needs of the poor were supplied (Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, June 1966, p. 535).

“Sufficient” D&C 51:3 + John 21:21-23 FamilyFamily CircumstancesCircumstances Wants (D&C 82:17-19)Wants (D&C 82:17-19) NeedsNeeds

“That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another....This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted-by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 256). “That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another....This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted-by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 256).

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Another temptation to detour us is placing improper emphasis on the obtaining of material possessions. For example, we may build a beautiful, spacious home that is far larger than we need. We may spend far too much to decorate, furnish, and landscape it. And even if we are blessed enough to afford such luxury, we may be misdirecting resources that could be better used to build the kingdom of God or to feed and clothe our needy brothers and sisters (Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 65). Another temptation to detour us is placing improper emphasis on the obtaining of material possessions. For example, we may build a beautiful, spacious home that is far larger than we need. We may spend far too much to decorate, furnish, and landscape it. And even if we are blessed enough to afford such luxury, we may be misdirecting resources that could be better used to build the kingdom of God or to feed and clothe our needy brothers and sisters (Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 1990, 65).

The End...