1. This is a review of the slides we used while discussing... “All Things in Common” 4 Nephi

2. “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.161). “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.161).

3. “Only a Zion people can bring in a Zion society. And as the Zion people increase, so we will be able to incorporate more of the principles of Zion until we have a people prepared to receive the Lord” (Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, May 1975, p. 18). “Only a Zion people can bring in a Zion society. And as the Zion people increase, so we will be able to incorporate more of the principles of Zion until we have a people prepared to receive the Lord” (Ezra Taft Benson, New Era, May 1975, p. 18).

4. “Partakers of the Heavenly Gift” 4 Nephi 1:3 + Ether 12:3-4, 8-11

5. “Faith... Is the moving cause of all action.” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith #1, p. 7) (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith #1, p. 7)

6. Faith in Christ Repentance Baptism Holy Ghost 1 2 3 4 Moroni 7-8

7. Faith in Christ THE GIFT HOPEFAITH Repentance Baptism Holy Ghost 1 2 3 4 Moroni 7-8

8. Evil one Sec. Comb. Sin/iniquity Doubt 4 3 2 1 Moroni 9-10

9. Evil one DOUBTDESPAIR FULNESS OF INIQUITY Sec. Comb. Sin/iniquity Doubt 4 3 2 1 Moroni 9-10

10. “Where doubt and uncertainty are there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time; so that persons whose minds are under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence; and where unshaken confidence is not there faith is weak; and where faith is weak the persons will not be able to contend against all the opposition, tribulations, and afflictions which they will have to encounter in order to be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; and they will grow weary in their minds, and the adversary will have power over them and destroy them” (Joseph Smith, Lectures 6:12).

11. Building Zion D&C 78:5-7; 105:5

12. Pillars of Consecration-- Issues of the heart D&C 38:19

13. “‘The longest journey that any of us will ever take’ —the journey from my head to my heart” (Marie K. Hafen, Ricks College Devotional, October 3, 2000). “‘The longest journey that any of us will ever take’ —the journey from my head to my heart” (Marie K. Hafen, Ricks College Devotional, October 3, 2000).

14. “These comments are for the essentially ‘honorable’ members who are skimming over the surface instead of deepening their discipleship and who are casually engaged rather than ‘anxiously engaged’ (D&C 76:75; 58:27). Though nominal in their participation, their reservations and hesitations inevitably show through. They may even pass through our holy temples, but, alas, they do not let the holy temples pass through them” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov. 1992, 65). “These comments are for the essentially ‘honorable’ members who are skimming over the surface instead of deepening their discipleship and who are casually engaged rather than ‘anxiously engaged’ (D&C 76:75; 58:27). Though nominal in their participation, their reservations and hesitations inevitably show through. They may even pass through our holy temples, but, alas, they do not let the holy temples pass through them” (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov. 1992, 65).

15. “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object.” “We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.161)

16. Unity - one heart & one mind (Moses 7:18)Unity - one heart & one mind (Moses 7:18) No poor (Moses 7:18)No poor (Moses 7:18) Labor with hands (Moses 7:19, 2 N. 26:29-31)Labor with hands (Moses 7:19, 2 N. 26:29-31) Dwell in safety (Moses 7:20)Dwell in safety (Moses 7:20) Pure love (Moses 7:28- 33)Pure love (Moses 7:28- 33)Righteousness (Moses 7:18; 69) Zion The World Civil rights/equal rightsCivil rights/equal rights WelfareWelfare Wealth without laborWealth without labor Military mightMilitary might Free expression of loveFree expression of love Cast out righteousness (Prov. 14:34; Alma 10:22- 23; Isa. 5:20, 24 )

17. Pillars of Consecration D&C 38

18. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16) [D&C 19:2]“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) [D&C 19:2]

19. “Essentially, pride is a ‘my will’ rather than ‘thy will’ approach to life. “Essentially, pride is a ‘my will’ rather than ‘thy will’ approach to life. Pride is characterized by ‘What do I want out of life?’ rather than by ‘What would God have me do with my life?’” Pride is characterized by ‘What do I want out of life?’ rather than by ‘What would God have me do with my life?’” (Ezra Taft Benson, Saturday Morning Session, CR, April 1986)

20. “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 361)

21. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) [D&C 104:17]“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) [D&C 104:17]

22. “I recently learned an interesting fact: If a man owns a million dollars worth of gold at today’s prices, he possesses approximately one 27-billionth of all the gold that is present in the earth’s thin crust alone” (Spencer W. Kimball, The False Gods We Worship, Ensign, June 1976, p. 5). “I recently learned an interesting fact: If a man owns a million dollars worth of gold at today’s prices, he possesses approximately one 27-billionth of all the gold that is present in the earth’s thin crust alone” (Spencer W. Kimball, The False Gods We Worship, Ensign, June 1976, p. 5).

23. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17)“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) “esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) [D&C 105:3-5; 82:19]“esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) [D&C 105:3-5; 82:19]

24. “The first year that I came into this valley I had not flour enough to last my family until harvest... and persons were coming to my house every day for bread. I had the blues about it one day; I went down to the old fort, and by the time I got back to my house I was completely cured. I said to my wife, ‘Do not let a person come here for food and go away empty handed, for if you do we shall suffer before harvest; but if you give to every individual that comes we shall have enough to last us through.’ I intend to keep doing so, that my bread may hold out, for if I do not I shall come short. Do you believe that principle? I know it is true, because I have proven it so many times” (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 3:332-33). “The first year that I came into this valley I had not flour enough to last my family until harvest... and persons were coming to my house every day for bread. I had the blues about it one day; I went down to the old fort, and by the time I got back to my house I was completely cured. I said to my wife, ‘Do not let a person come here for food and go away empty handed, for if you do we shall suffer before harvest; but if you give to every individual that comes we shall have enough to last us through.’ I intend to keep doing so, that my bread may hold out, for if I do not I shall come short. Do you believe that principle? I know it is true, because I have proven it so many times” (Brigham Young, in Journal of Discourses, 3:332-33).

25. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17)“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) “esteem his brother as self”(v. 24)“esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) “riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39) [see D&C 104:14-15; Deut. 8:10-20]“riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39) [see D&C 104:14-15; Deut. 8:10-20]

26. “The Lord has given to me all I possess; I have nothing in reality, not a single dime of it is mine. You may ask, 'Do you feel as you say?' Yes, I actually do. The coat I have on my back is not mine, and never was; the Lord put it in my possession honorably, and I wear it; but if he wishes for it, and all there is under it, he is welcome to the whole. I do not own a house, or a single farm of land, a horse, mule, carriage, or wagon, or wife, nor child but what the Lord gave me, and if he wants them, he can take them at his pleasure, whether he speaks for them, or takes them without speaking” (Brigham Young, JD 2:307). “The Lord has given to me all I possess; I have nothing in reality, not a single dime of it is mine. You may ask, 'Do you feel as you say?' Yes, I actually do. The coat I have on my back is not mine, and never was; the Lord put it in my possession honorably, and I wear it; but if he wishes for it, and all there is under it, he is welcome to the whole. I do not own a house, or a single farm of land, a horse, mule, carriage, or wagon, or wife, nor child but what the Lord gave me, and if he wants them, he can take them at his pleasure, whether he speaks for them, or takes them without speaking” (Brigham Young, JD 2:307).

27. “When my Bishop came to value my property, he wanted to know what he should take my tithing in. I told him to take anything I had, for I did not set my heart upon any one thing; my horses, cows, hogs, or any other thing he might take; my heart is set upon the work of my God, upon the public good of his great Kingdom” (Brigham Young, JD 1:376). “When my Bishop came to value my property, he wanted to know what he should take my tithing in. I told him to take anything I had, for I did not set my heart upon any one thing; my horses, cows, hogs, or any other thing he might take; my heart is set upon the work of my God, upon the public good of his great Kingdom” (Brigham Young, JD 1:376).

28. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17)“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) “esteem his brother as self”(v. 24)“esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) “riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39)“riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39) “labor of his hands” (v. 40)“labor of his hands” (v. 40)

29. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17)“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) “esteem his brother as self”(v. 24)“esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) “riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39)“riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39) “labor of his hands” (v. 40)“labor of his hands” (v. 40) “preaching...warning voice” (v. 41) [see D&C 105:38-39]“preaching...warning voice” (v. 41) [see D&C 105:38-39]

30. “Pillars” of Consecration “all flesh is mine” (v. 16)“all flesh is mine” (v. 16) “I have made the earth rich” (v. 17)“I have made the earth rich” (v. 17) “esteem his brother as self”(v. 24)“esteem his brother as self”(v. 24) “riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39)“riches of the earth are mine” (v. 39) “labor of his hands” (v. 40)“labor of his hands” (v. 40) “preaching...warning voice” (v. 41)“preaching...warning voice” (v. 41) “go ye out from among wicked” (v. 42)“go ye out from among wicked” (v. 42)

31. The Law D&C 42

32. “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).

33. “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, in Conference Report, Apr. 1979, 131; or Ensign, May 1979, 92).

34. 3 Principles to the “Law” ConsecrationConsecration StewardshipStewardship SufficiencySufficiency

35. “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)

36. “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.)

37. 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; Saturday, April 6, 1966 Conference, Priesthood Session).

38. Socialism is not the United Order

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

40. YouLordBishop

41. “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).

42. “Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989, p.4).

43. The End...