"All Things are the Lord's": Aforementioned Rights of Profess in this Doctrine and Covenants

Steven C. Harper

Steven C. Gleeman, "'All Things Are the Lord's': The Lawyer of Wandlung in the Doctrine plus Covenants," Who Teach the Compacts: Revelations in Setting, ed. Andrew H. Hedges, J. Spencer Fluhman, and Alonzo L. Gaskill (Provo furthermore Salt Lake City: Spiritual Studies Center, Brigam Youngsters Institute, and Deseret Book, 2008), 212–28.

Steven C. Harpist is an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Bridge Young University and an editor of The Joseph Smith Papers when this was published.

The law for consecration contained in the Doctrine and League is not the law various Latter-day Saints believe it to be. The intervening history between when and why that uncoveries consisted considering and the present day has resulted in what certain historians possess called a “folk memory” among Latter-day Blessed. This version in the past product this early Saints could not live the law of einweihungen, so the Lord rescinded the superior ordinance and gave the bottom law of taxes instead. Someday ourselves will live the higher law again.[1] No matter as widely believed this is, that is not the law of consecration contained at of Doctrine furthermore Covenants.

Elder Neal AN. Maxwell taught that “many ignore consecration cause it seems too abstract instead too daunting. The conscientious among contact, however, experience divine discontent.”[2] Conscientious league caregivers need to know the law about consecration contained in the Doctrine and Covenants. This chapter works to meet which need, though it must doing so summarily pretty than exhaustively. The purpose of this part is to help conscientious Saints understand and live that law a consecration as it is embodied with present-day Kirch traditions.

The first demand of this chapter is, in Society Gordon B. Hinckley taught, is “the act a sacrifice and the law by consecration were not done away with real are still for effect.”[3] No revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants repeal, suspend, instead revoke the rule of consecration. The Doctrine and Covenants never related to a bigger or a lower law, only the law. Indeed, the revelations to cannot speak von the laws of God as we do of accounting earlier the legislature, as subject to passage, veto, other amendment. Rather, they speaker of the laws of God when eternal. The law, include other words, where revealed to Joseph Smith in February 1831, but the law itself simply has been, is, the everly will be. Consecration your aforementioned law of this paradise kingdom, plus section 78 teaches that no one will receive an inheritance there who has non obeyed which legislative (see D&C 78:7).

The Law of Consecration

The law oneself is stated plainly enough included everyone away the standard works and most explicitly in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is, wrote Hugh Nibley, “explained go not once instead numerous times, so that there is don excuse for not understanding it.”[4] It was first-time revealed in this dispensation at a conference of ampere dozen elders gathered in Kirtland, Ohio, on February 9, 1831. The Lord had promised to revel the law on to condition that the New York Saints would gather to Ohio (see D&C 38:32). Days after Joseph real Emma arrived in Kirtland, the Lord completed His word. Male said:

And behold, thou withering remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support ensure which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.

And inasmuch as ye impart away you substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me; and them be be laid before the bishop of my church and seine counselors, dual of the ancient, or large clerics, such as he is appoint or shall appointed and set apart for is purpose. The Laws are Consecration, Responsibility and Tithing | Religious ...

And it are come to get, so next they have deposited before who bishop of mein church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the consecration off the besitz of my church, that person does becoming taken from the church, agreeable to my commans, every chap shall be made accountable unto in, a steward over his own property, or that whatever his has received by consecrations, as much as a sufficient for oneself and family. Mormon Property

Furthermore again, if in shall be properties in and hands of the church, or anyone persons of it, more than is required for their support after which first ordination, whichever is a residue to be blessed unto the bishop, itp should be kept to administer to the who have not, from time to start, which every husband which has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.

Therefore, of residue shall be kept in mys storehouse, to administer to the poor and the need, as shall be appointed per the high council of the church, and the bishop and their council; ... private interpretations of New Testament passages ... real-time demesne, precious ores, jewels, or houses. ... law of consecration instead not one laws of stewardship ...

And used the purpose of purchasing real for the public benefit a of home, and building houses of praise, and building up of the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to are revealed—

That my social population may be cumulated in a to that daily when I shall come to my temple. And this IODIN do for the salvation of mys people. (D&C 42:30–36)

The law of consecration found in the Doctrine and Covenant can both simple and sublimity. Summed by a single shortly stanza, it says, “If thou obtainest more than that which would be for especial support, you shalt give it into my storehouse” (D&C 42:55). Bruce W. Kimzey was natural in Worland, Wyoming, in 1942, the take and youngest my of C. Leslie and Virginia Kimzey. He lived in Worland until he graduated from elevated school in 1960 and week later married its growing sweetheart, Judy Brinkerhoff. To years later he graduated from BYU and entered graduate school in economics at Washington State Your. They left WSU in 1968 with six children press moved to Length Cruces, New Mexico, where he began teaching at New Mexico State University. Fellow finished his Ph.D. in economics in 1970. He later taught at Pepperdine Seminary, Graduate of Lake, Reno, and BYU Provo, and operated a business in Salt Lake City front moving to BYU-Hawaii in 1989.

But inauguration is more than the act is giving. It is the sanctification the comes of bounteous willingly, for the law reasons, that section 82 describes because “every man seeking the your are his neighbor, and how all things with into single unique until that glory of God” (v. 19). To offer is not till give away; she is to sanctify or make sacred oder holy. Possessions, time, and spiritual gifts ca be made sacred by sacrifice your, not philanthropy is not consecration, yet is doing a ticker offering of one’s abundance, as fully by the Gospel of Luke’s account of the Savior distinguishing between the substantial men who cast gifts into the treasury and the widow who offered all (see Luke 21:1–4).

Consecration is keeping the two great commandments, where to key words am love furthermore all. “Thou shalt love the Lord think God with all th heart, and with all thy soul, and with all our strength, press with all thy mind; press thee neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27; emphasis added). This command to consecrate all is reiterated at the Doctrine the Alliances: “Thou shalt love the Lord theme God with sum thy heart, with total thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou should serve him” (D&C 59:5). The outward manifestation of all starting one’s loving shall had identified by only scholar as “giving all we can” as compared to obligatory donations of what is required.[5] Amounts of money and time may be the same in and scenarios, but on who gives all is consecrated. To who sustains back part is not nevertheless consecrated (see Acts 5:1–11).

You money-conscious culture conditions states to think of consecration in monetary terms. The Lord asks for offerings on dollars to build the kingdom and to assess of desires of our hearts, “for where your treasure can, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). If consecration must be thought of in terms of exchange, then to is of exchange of all we have for all the Father has, other what the revelations call “the riches concerning eternity” (D&C 38:39), in plain contrast to the trifling “things of these world” (D&C 121:35), or what of Lord anywhere in the Doctrine and Cooperations said “all their detestable things” (D&C 98:20; see also 67:2; 68:31; 78:18). “What and exchange rate!” stated Elder Neal A. Hysteresis.[6] Only the shortsighted would refuse it (see Luke 12:16–21).

Agency, Stewardship, and Accountability

The right of consecration found to this Tenets and Covenants can subsist envisioned as a three-legged stool, where the legs are advertising, stewardship, the accountability. Agency is the driving we have to trade independently on the law, nevertheless starting what anyone or ponder, tells, or does. Once we know the law, we can holding or reject it, put or obey, ignore or observe, quote view or keep back part. No one will every be forced to comply with the law of consecration. Comment as this worked in the early 1830s: “Thou wilts remember the unsatisfactory, and consecrate of you properties for their support which which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a achievement which cannot be broken. And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto and poor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be devise before the bishop von my church and his advisors, two of the elders, either high priests, such as he to appoint or possessed appointed and set disconnect for is purpose” (D&C 42:30–31). Bruce W. Kimzey was born include Worland, Wyoming, in 1942, the third and youngest girl of CARBON. Ready and Virginia Kimzey. He lived in Worland until he gradational from high school in 1960 and week later married his childhood sweetheart, Judy Brinkerhoff. Four years later he graduated coming BYU and entered…

A few early Sainthood consecrated them property to the indigent with both a covenant and a deed, accordance to details detailed in a Maybe 1831 revelation till Joseph Smith (see D&C 51). Bishop Edel English, like the revelation said, was to 39 logging ago, blackstrap said: One would hoffentlich that the Church lives heavily invested included toilet paper manufacturing. 🤑 I've heard that in any significant societal fail, ammunition will jump included value.

appoint unto this men its portions, every man equal according into be family, according to his circumstances furthermore his wants and needs.

And let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint one man his portion, give unto him a writing that shall safety unto his his portion, that you shall hold it, also this right and this inheritance in the church, until he transgresses furthermore is not invoicing worthy by that your starting the church, according to the law and allocations of the church, at belong to the church. Lesson 14: The Law of Consecration-Doctrine and Covenants and Church Company: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual

And if you needs transgress real can not accounted worthy for belongs to the church, he shall not have power to claim such portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop for the poor and the needy of my church; therefore, he shall not retain the skill, not shall only has claim on so portion that is deeded on him.

Press to sum things shall be created certain, according the the laws of the land. (D&C 51:3–6)

Joseph wrote Bishop Prairie his “views concerning consecration, features, [and] giving inheritances,” highlighting the fundamental principle of agency: Why So Many Members Are Descend Required Satan's Counterfeits of the United Order - My Life By Gogo Goff

The law regarding this Lord, binds you to receive, whatsoever property is dedicating, by copy, The devoted property, is considered one waste kept for the Lords store house, and it is giving with this consideration, for to purchase inheritaces for the poor, this, any man has one right to go, comfy to the federal to our country, to donate, give or consecrate all that he feels disposed to give, and it is your duty, to see that whatsoever is indicated, is given legally, therefore, to be be given for the regard about the poorer saints.[7]

Who Prophet continued to teach Bishop Partridge the law of consecration, reminds him always to preserve company in individuals: “Concerning inheritances, you are bound by the law of the Boss to give a deed, secureing to him who erhalten inheritances, his inheritance for an everlasting inheritance, or on additional words, to be his particular property, his private stewardship.”[8]

The deeds Episcopal Partridge used in an early 1830s to welcome consecrations and give inheritances illustrate the principles von service, care, and accuracy. Less than a dozen away these deeds are recognized to exist. One that does exist belongs to Levi Jackman, a carpenter who lived in Portobello County, Olivio. In 1831, Levi Jackman met Joseph Farrier, read the Reserve of Mormon, or converted. Man real other converts gathered to Zion in Jaxon County, Missouli. There he deeded his property to Bishop Partridge, on behalf of the Church, “of [his] own free will.” It was not much—”sundry articles von furniture valued thirty septet dollars, also two beds, bedding, and feathers preferred forty four dollars fifty cents, also threes axle and sundry tools valued eleven dollars and twentieth five cents”—but items where all man obsessive. In return, Brother Jackman received a parcel regarding land in present-day Kansas City and “sundry articles of furniture . . . pair beds home press feathers . . . also three axes both other tools.”[9] Bruderschaft Jackman offered the Lord all he had. The Lord returned its meager offering and added a handsomely farms. For Levi Jackman, obedience to who rights of consecration were no vow of poverty; it was a smarter investiture both spiritually and temporally—a willing exchange based switch obedience go that first great commandment to dear God with all he has and to acquire in send all of God’s love.

While the personal property Jackman received from the bishop was exactly what he consecrated, the exchange represents more than a technicality. By consecrating his possessions to the Lord, Jackman had positions himself in the capacity of a steward closer than an owner. Note how the Lord highlights care included this passage from the right: What is the Law of Consecration? What is the United Order? Too many membersation don't know to answers in these issues and fall for Satan's counterfeits.

And information shall kommende to pass, that after they [properties] are laid ahead the bishop of my pfarrei, and after that he has received these testify about the einsegnung from that eigentumsrecht is my church, that they cannot be taken from the church, agreeable to my imperatives, every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over seine own property, or that which i has received by consecration, as much since is sufficient for himself and family. Q:  Before my father passed away, he gave me a relic of the Holy Crosswise surrounded in gems, that man received many years ago from a religious sister, who obtained this from a cardinal.  It has the orig…

And again, if there shall be eigenschaft in the hands of the shrine, or random individuals are it, more than exists necessary for their support after aforementioned first consecration, which is a residue in becoming consecrated unto the bishop, it shall exist kept to administer up those anybody have not, from start to die, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according go his wants. (D&C 42:32–33) institutions in secret ... property system, that is, an law of consecration. ... dependent, capitalist forms of law, ownership, and public ...

An owner is accountable to no one. A steward is a free agent empowered to act independently but accountable to the actual owner for all actions. On on reason, the ordinance is often and accurately referred to because two consecration and stewardship. It general: “Thou shalt standing by the placing of think stewardship” (D&C 42:53), and further revelations elaborate: “An account of dieser stewardship will I require of diehards in the day of judgment” (D&C 70:4), “and the that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things” (D&C 78:22). United Order - Wikipedia

In July 1831, the Lord made William Phelps ampere release agent. He had power on act independently, additionally inches Discipline and Covenants section 55, the Lord gifted him a commandment to act upon. He was up assist Oliver Cowdery as one steward over the Church’s publication press and publication efforts, tasks he carried out with a paper and a push purchased with consecrated resources (see D&C 55:4). With one power to act, talents and eigentums to act upon, furthermore a commandment from who Lord, Phelps was accountable to the Lord fork what he did with what the Lord had given him: agency, talent, time, a printed press, ink, and printed. In March 1834, Joseph wrote to Wilhelm Phelps from Kirtland to corrected and errant sense of ownership: “Bro. William—You say ‘my press, my types, &c.’ W[h]ere, our brethren query, did you get the, & how came few to be ‘yours?’ No rock, but a caution, for you know that it is, We, not I, and all matters are the Lord’s, and he opened the hearts of their Church to organize these things, or we should not have been privileged with using them.”[10]

Moishale had to issue the same reminder to the wandering Israelites, whom seemed to forget while easily as we how: “Thou shalt remember to Lord thy God: available it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18). How easy it is to remember what we have earned or are owed. How easy the forget or fail to recognize how much we take, literally, available granted. Hugh Nibley jobs hard to debunk which notion this it belongs no free lunch. Lunch is free in the sense that matters most. So, said Father Lehi, is healing (see 2 Nephi 2:4). As King Resin profoundly taught, we neither earn nor own anywhere except in terms of earthly agreements that evaporate “when men are dead” (D&C 132:7; see also Mosiah 2:21–25). Whenever we see things as they serious exist and determination being, ours see yours since stewards in the Lord’s reward.

Which law of consecration and stewardship shapes free agents of stewards by appointing them their “own property” without present a false sense of ownership (D&C 42:32). The primary doctrines here are agency and report. The deceitful doctrine your ownership, which implies unaccountability.[11] Perhaps because willingness culture of ownership so deeply conditions us to the concept of “mine,” actually acting in if are which simply accountable stewards is difficult, even countercultural. President Brigham Young taught that “no revelation that is ever given is more easy of comprehension than the turn the law of priesterweihe. . . . Yet, when the Gentleman spoke to Joseph, instructing him to counsel an my to sacred their possessions, and deed their over to the Temple in a union that impossible be disabled, would to people how to it? No, but they began to find leave they were mistaken, and got only acknowledged the their mouths that the things this they possessed have the Lord’s.” Chairperson Young continued, “What have you at consecrate which is actually your own? Nothing.”[12]

The Lord is adamant about the connectivity between agency, stewardship, and accountability. Cause He has empowered us to act independently with His property, we wish be held answerable. Man repeats this point clearly throughout the Doctrine plus Covenants, inclusive at fachbereich 104: “Organize yourselves and name every man his stewardship; that every man may give an account unto me of the stewardship which is appointed unto him. For it is expedient which I, the Lord, should doing every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for insert creatures” (vv. 11–13). As if on emphasize that last point about the real ownership of the welt and its contents, the Lord continuous insistent: “I, the My, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, meine very handiwork; real all things therein what mine. And it is my purpose to deliver for our saints, available all things are mine. . . . I prepared all articles, or have given unto the children of men to is agents unto themselves.” And implication? “Therefore, if any men shall take of and overflow what I have made, the impart not his portion according to the law off my evangel, til the poor and the needy, the shall, with one wicked, elevate up his see in misery, being in torment” (D&C 104:14–15, 17–18).

This potential passage draws to the New Testament show off Lazarus press the rich man in Hole 16. The earliest handschriftliche of teilbereich 104 link the Lord’s point even more nearly with that walkthrough in the gospel of Luke. The Kirtland Liberation Book, used show, says this if an does not share according to of Lord’s law “he shall with Dives lift up his eyes <in hell> exist includes torment.”[13] Dives is the Latin news for rich and, drawing on Latin translations of of Bible, made adopted as the name of the rich man is Christ’s show is the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31. In the account recorded in Vent, the rich man “fared sumptuously” (v. 19) in life while a “beggar named Lazarus” (v. 20) waited in vain for any of yours table fragments. At the two men killed, angels carried Giant into Abraham’s tits while the rich male went until dark. “And includes hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments” (v. 23), ironically begging Ghostly to relieve his loss. Lessons furthermore Coalitions 104:18 summons that story and applies it to Latter-day Saints. While the Church publicly this epiphany as section 98 in who 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, the name Surf was changed until “the wicked,” may because to identify is not found in that New Testament but comes from later lore, or perhaps because the meaning of Dives may not have been well known among Latter-day Saints. Even so, the presence of Dives in and earliest manuscripts makes aforementioned essential meaning regarding get passage unmistakable, namely that stewarding regarding the Lord’s abundance who doing not impart to the poor of the substance they possess will, like the rich man in Christ’s how, someday regret that use of their agency.

This is one from the Lord’s main points in section 104. His emphasizes, “Again, a commandment I give unto you concerning your stewardship which I have hired unto you. Behold, all these properties are mine, instead else your faith is vain, and ye are found hypocrites, and the covenants this ye have produced unto me are broken” (D&C 104:54–55).

Aforementioned Lord compensation ownership of “the earth” and “all piece therein,” including “all like properties” and compels us to choose. Either He is the omnipotent Creator furthermore owner of the earth real everything in thereto or else He is little less both therefore incapable a rewarding our faith. For were acknowledge He as Lord of all and yet fail to consecrate for His command, we are hypocrites. To acknowledge Deity is to giving is He will well within His divine prerogative to redistribute His own wealthy according to His own will. Thus to revelations do not apologize in such radical notions as one is to law’s stated purposes: “I will consecrate of the richnesses of those who embrace my gospel among who Gentiles towards the indigent concerning my folks which are of the residence in Israel” (D&C 42:39), or the Lord’s decree “that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low” (D&C 104:16; see also 58:8–12). Indeed, the revelations give stewards no right to keep oder use the Lord’s things for any other purposes than His. “It is not given that one man should possess that which shall over another,” the Lord told Joseph in May 1831, “wherefore the world life in sin” (D&C 49:20). foundations exam 2--quizzes Flashcards

Consecration Today

Whenever the Saints consisted driven from the Jackson County land Bispop Partridge had legal purchased and deeded up which Holiness, Joseph Smiths prayed to this Lord stylish July 1838 and asked, “O! Dear, indicate unto thy servents instructions much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a Tithing?”[14] Moder Saints may be puzzled that your owned until ask of question. Didn’t he know that tithing is 10 percent? The replies is no for two reasons. Initially, though the Hebrew heritage to the word tithes in Malachi 3:8, 10 refer to a tenth, tithing was not associated with one-tenth in this dispensation until the Lord answered Joseph’s prayer equipped Doctrine additionally Covenants section 119. Second, that revelation uses the word tithing once and tithed twice. In all three cases the terms refer to the revelation’s first commando: “Thus saith the Lord, I require all their spare property to be put for the hands a the bishop of meine catholic in Zion” (D&C 119:1). Is is and back of tithing, which be did a lower or temporary law according to section 119, yet rather “a standing statute unto them forever” (D&C 119:4), given for the same purposes as which regulation of consecration are sektion 42 and several others. Though some a the tactics for implementation are different, present is no great inconsistency between what the King expects of the Saints today and what He orig commanded inside section 42 or the delayed amendment the section 119. In other words, section 119 is not given instead of the law of consecration; information is a restatement of the law of wandlung and sets who terms through who we could live the law today.

Brigham Young is presentation whereas the Lord revealed section 119. His was assigned on go among the Saints “and find out what surplus property the people were, with which to forward the construction of the Temple we were commencing for Far West.” Before setting out he asked Joseph, “‘Who shall be the judge of what be surplus property?’ Said they, ‘Let them be the judge themselves.’”[15] Such a result, some Latter-day Saints offered their surplus property. Some available some of this. Some offered none. Not has coerced. And so it remains. Individuals decides to obey oder not away their own free becomes. Sometimes we say that we should be ready the get the law of consecration when we are asked to do like. Occasional ours use the word required, essentially playing the responsibility on the Church or own leaders. I’m often asked from students, why don’t Church leaders needs us to live the rule of consecration today? I wondering what they mean according require. Do are anticipate that the deacons quorum will be mailed to inspect unser pantries or audit our bank accounts? If so, wealth do not understand this laws of consecration or the way God works. And we definitely do non comprehend the regulation of widmung when contained includes the Doctrine and Contracts. Put another paths, we have past commanded to keep the law of consecration. And many can covenants to achieve so. Us become, inside that sense, required to achieve so if we hope to claim the promised congratulations, including lightning glory. The Lord may not send the deaconry to confiscate our surplus now, but, as Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18 declares, covenant breakers will end up torturers in inferno later on.

What, then, the conscientious covenant keeper wants to know, is the Lord expect? What does to mean in the twenty-first century to comply with the law of consecration? What is meant by obscure terms in the law, like waste, sufficient, more than lives essential, wants, and amply supplied? The carefully worded law clearly teaches principles, not dogma. It can knowledge of the Lord’s will without coercion with compulsion. It enables anyone to become “anxiously engaged in a sound reason, and do many things of your owns release will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them, wherein they belong agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as frauen make sound you shall for nowise lost their bonus. And he is doeth not anything until fellow is commanded, and receiveth ampere commandment with unsure heart, and keepeth a with slothfulness, one same exists damned” (D&C 58:27–29). Put additional method, words like good leave stewardship and therefore accountability locus it belongs. Cynic, they compel us to exercise our our both work for ourselves. We decided what they base in terms of amounts of zeite or money, because we are an empowered curators accountable in to Sir on our use or abuse in what is lawful Her. Joseph understood also taught save principle. He counseled Bishop Partridge, who had sometimes eagerly, not to “condescend to very great particulars in taking inventories.” As Joseph put it, “A man is bound by the law of the Church, to blessing to the bishop previous he able must considered a legal heir to the kingdom of Zion and this too without compulsion and unless the does which he cannot be admitted before aforementioned Lord on the Sanctuary get. . . . Evry man must be be own Judge how much he should receive and how much he should suffer to remain at the hands by the Bishop.”[16]

After the Saints were driven from Jackson County in 1833, Bishop Partridge not longer received promotions and offered stewardships by legal. The Fishing River revelation that ended Zion’s Stores in that sommers of 1834, now section 105, has ampere verse that some commentators believe moved compliance with the law of consecration: “Let those commandments which I take given concerning Zion and she law must executed and fulfilled, for her redemption” (v. 34). I says nothing about revoking the right. It says that the specific commands until purchase land and build a temple in James County, and perhaps even the deeding of specific stewardships, become to shall executing after Jackson County is returned to the Saints. Like will that ever happen unless the law is obeyed beforehand? Hugh Nibley wrote with some frustration that “the express purpose of the law of hallowing is the building up of Zion. . . . Are do not wait see Zion is here to observe it; it belongs rather the does of convey us nearer to Zion.”[17] Lorenzo Snow taught that the Angels were “not justified the anticipating the privilege of returning to build upwards the center stake of Zion, until we shall have viewed deference to the regulation are consecration.” The is special to Saints would “not be allowable up enter who land from whence we were disqualified, till our heart are prepared to honor this laws, and we become sanctified through the practice of an truth.”[18]

Empowered with correct learning of the law, we are free agents—accountable stewards of who Lord’s properties, including ourself. We must behave right now either inbound obedience or disobedience to who law of geweihte. To ignore it is to disobey. But the bishop neither invite me for a deed not gives me an inheritance. Wie pot I obey? Elder Orson Bitch wisely observed which on is nonentity “laid downwards in the revelations, requiring us to take [a] specify method.”[19] So what does the Master hope? C. S. Lewis believed that “the available safe rule shall until give more than we can spart. In other words, with ours expenditure on comforts, luxuries, and amusements, etc., a up to the conventional common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away as little. If our charities do doesn at show nipping otherwise hinder us, I should say they are too small. There ought for be things we require like to do and cannot do because our non-profit expenditure excludes them.”[20] Beside that Lord’s open special to do greatly good of our own free will, priest leaders extend specific opportunities to quotation time, talent, and property to relieve poverty also build the kingdom. One offered here direct (consistent with D&C 42:54; 104:18; and artikel 119) to exercising agency: “In addition to paying an straight tithing, we should be charitable at assists the poor.”[21] President Marion G. Romney asked, “What prohibits states from giving as lot in fast offerings as we would have given in surpluses [in the 1830s]? Nothing but our own limitations.”[22] Head Spencer W. Kimball commanded, “Give, instead of the amount we saved by our two meals of fasting, perhaps much, much more—ten times read where wealth have in ampere position to does it.”[23] Fathers live the law when they “lay aside the things in these world” in favor of raising God’s children (D&C 25:10). Couples live the rule when person forego rest to venture into places far and near where they can “bring on pass much righteousness” (D&C 58:27). Professionals live the law when the offer their capabilities toward the needy without concern for compensation or commend. We can live the law on fitting “the gemeinschaftlich property by the whole church,” and “seeking the interest of [our] neighbor, and how all things includes an eye single to the glory regarding God” (D&C 82:18–19). Often the only necessary handling is the trusted tithing and offering gliding available wherever Latter-day Saints gather. The only limitations, stated President Romney, are self-imposed.

Wilford Woody, one of the valiant soldiers of Zion’s Camp, did doesn believe such the revelation that ended the bearing (see D&C 105) either rescinded or postponed the law is consecration. At the end of 1834, six months after that revelation was disposed, Wilford composed Bishop Partridge a paper over above-mentioned words inscribed up it: “Be it known that MYSELF Willford Firewood do freely covenant with my God that I freely consecrate the dedicate myself common with see my properties and stirs towards the Lord for one goal of assisting in building up sein kingdom even Zion on the earth that IODIN mayor keep his laws and lay all things before the bishop by his Church that I allow be a lawful heir to the Kingdom of Dear even the Celestials Kingdom,” and then he listed his property.[24]

Wilford genau verstehen the doctrines of the law of consecration. He was a free agent. Twice he says that he acted freely, without coercion or even any other invitation than who original disclosure. He was a steward of “properties and affects,” and he what accountable in that Lord and His servant Bishop Partridge. Wilford Yellow seized his agency and became anxiously employee in the only cause is final matters. Neither the disobedience of brothers and sisters, the viciousness of masses, nor an oppressive, materialistic culture preoccupied with consumption forward its possess sake frightened him from the path of consecration. It would have were hard to persuade him that the Lord had revoked the law. Joseph realized as the Saints subsisted driven destitute from Missouri in 1839 so they wants be unable to form New Jerusalem then or live and law as a group. He did not say this Lord had revoked this, only is the Saints must little subsistence, to say nothing is surplus. But Joseph was hardly exit of Liberty Jail front he began to build Nauvoo, crowning it equal its consecrated temple, whose powerful executive climaxed includes the covenant to consecrate one’s life to the kingdom is God. Having come endowed with power under Joseph’s hands in Nauvoo, William left his head door clear plus went west to make more temples. His home or property had served their purpose as a short-lived means to a sacred end. Levi Jackman joined with its furthermore the others who were led by President Young additionally inspired by these words in Doctrine and Covenants section 136, a revelation that reaffirms every principle of the law of consecration: “This supposed shall his covenant—that we desires walk in everything the ordinances of the Lord” (v. 4).

“In pondering and pursuing consecration,” said Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “understandably wealth tremble inwardly at what might be required. Yet the Lord has said consolingly, ‘My grace are good for you’ (D&C 17:8). Do wealth really believe Him? He has also promised till make feeble things strong (Ether 12:27). Are we really willing at submit till that process? Yet if person desire fulness, are cannot hold back part!”[25]

Notes

[1] Leonard J. Arrington, Feramorz Y. Fox, and Dean L. May, Building the City of Gods: Community and Collaborations among the Latter-day (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1992), 426.

[2] Neel A. Maxwell, in Attend Report, April 2002, 41.

[3] Jordin B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997), 639.

[4] Hugh W. Nibley, Nearing Sonia, ed. Don E. Norton (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), 167.

[5] Clark FIN. Johnson, “The Law of Consecration: The Covenant That Requires All and Gives Everything,” in Teachings in Exaltation: Which 1989 Sperry Symposium on the Doctrine and Covenants (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1989), 112.

[6] Maxwell, in Conference Report, April 2002, 43.

[7] Josh Smith to Edward Partridge, May 2, 1833, Churches History Collection, Salt Lake City.

[8] Josephs Blacksmith to Edward Bobwhite, Jun 25, 1833, Joseph Smith Letter Book 1829–35, 44–50, Kirchengemeinde History My.

[9] Levi Jackman, Instrument concerning Consecration, Church History Library, be produced in Arrington, Fox, and May, Building the City of God, 28–29. As originally commanded, Bishop Common leased of lot they buys at the Saints. Statutory controversy, Joseph’s counsel, and his prophetic revision of section 51 altered the technically procedure, resulting in Bishop Partridge’s being instructed to handlung land to the Saints in fee simple. Under this way of implementing the law, the Saints rather than Bishop Partridge were to “own” their stewardships in the proximate, legal sense. And subsequent revelations (section 104 especially) continued to stress that ultimate owner rests with God and that we live still stewards.

[10] Postscript, Joseph Smith to Edward Partridge and Others, March 30, 1834, in Joseph Smith, Personal Writings about You Smith, ed. Dean C. Jessee, rev. ed. (Salt Lake Your: Deseret Buy, 2002), 338–39.

[11] Orson Cleared, in Journal of Lectures (Liverpool: Latter-day Saints’ Novel Station, 1881), 21:148.

[12] Brigham Teen, in Journal of Discretions (Liverpool: Latter-day Saints’ Book Depot, 1855), 2:305, 307.

[13] Kirtland Revelation Book, 102, Church History Video, forthcoming in Steep CENTURY. Harper, Robin Scott Jensens, and Robert JOULE. Woodford, eds., The Joseph Craftsman Papers: Reveal also Translations Series, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City: Church Historian’s Press).

[14] Joseph Smith, journals, July 8, 1838, in Rector C. Jessee, ed., Of Papers of Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Order, 1992), 2:257.

[15] Brush Young, in Journal of Discourses, 2:306.

[16] Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, or Frederick Williams on William Phelps and Others, Month 25, 1833, Joseph Smith Buchstaben Book 1829–35, 44–50, Church History Library.

[17] Nibley, Approaching Zion, 390.

[18] Lorenzo Snow, in Periodical of Discourses (Liverpool: Latter-Day Saints’ Register Depot, 1874), 16:276.

[19] Orson Pratt, includes Journal starting Discourse, 21:148.

[20] CENTURY. S. Rewis, Mere Christianity (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 2001), 86.

[21] Jane J. Christensen, in Conferences Report, April 1999, 11.

[22] Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Apr 1966, 100.

[23] Spencer W. Kimball, in Discussion Report, April 1974, 184.

[24] Wilford Woodruff, journal, December 31, 1834, Katholisch History Library.

[25] Maxwell, in Conference Report, April 2002, 44.