This is a review of the slides we used while This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .discussing . . .

The Law of ConsecrationThe Law of Consecration D&C 42D&C 42

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

We covenant to live the We covenant to live the law of consecrationlaw of consecration. This . This law is that we law is that we consecrate our time, talents, strength, consecrate our time, talents, strength, property, and money for the upbuilding of the kingdom property, and money for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on this earth and the establishment of Zionof God on this earth and the establishment of Zion ..Until one abides by the laws of Until one abides by the laws of obedienceobedience, , sacrificesacrifice, the , the gospelgospel, and, and chastitychastity,, he cannot abide the law of he cannot abide the law of consecrationconsecration, which is the law pertaining to the , which is the law pertaining to the celestial kingdom.celestial kingdom. . . . . . .

I am confident if we willI am confident if we will properly teach the true properly teach the true purpose and underlying principles behind the present purpose and underlying principles behind the present welfare planwelfare plan,, and encourage members to live and encourage members to live according to these principles, according to these principles, we will not be far from we will not be far from living the united orderliving the united order ((Teachings of Ezra Taft BensonTeachings of Ezra Taft Benson, , p.121).p.121).

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

3 Principles to the “Law”3 Principles to the “Law”

• ConsecrationConsecration

• StewardshipStewardship

• SufficiencySufficiency

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

On February 9, 1831, the Lord revealed to the On February 9, 1831, the Lord revealed to the Prophet what His way was. (See D&C 42.) In His way Prophet what His way was. (See D&C 42.) In His way there were two cardinal principles: (1) consecration, and there were two cardinal principles: (1) consecration, and (2) stewardship.(2) stewardship.

To enter the United Order one consecrated all his To enter the United Order one consecrated all his possessions to the Church by a "covenant and deed which" possessions to the Church by a "covenant and deed which" could "not be broken." That is, could "not be broken." That is, he completely divested he completely divested himself of all of his property by conveying it to the Church. himself of all of his property by conveying it to the Church. Having thus voluntarily divested himself of title to all his Having thus voluntarily divested himself of title to all his property, the consecrator received from the Church property, the consecrator received from the Church a a stewardship stewardship by a like conveyance.by a like conveyance. This stewardship could This stewardship could be more or less than his original consecration the object be more or less than his original consecration the object being to make being to make "every man equal according to his family, "every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs." according to his circumstances and his wants and needs." (D&C 51:3.)(D&C 51:3.)

This procedure preserved in every man the right This procedure preserved in every man the right to private ownership and management of his property. to private ownership and management of his property. At his own option he could alienate it or keep and At his own option he could alienate it or keep and operate it and pass it on to his heirs. operate it and pass it on to his heirs.

The intent was, however, for him to so operate his The intent was, however, for him to so operate his property as to produce a living for himself and his property as to produce a living for himself and his dependents. So long as he remained in the Order dependents. So long as he remained in the Order he he consecrated to the Church the surplus he produced above consecrated to the Church the surplus he produced above the needs and wants of his family.the needs and wants of his family. This surplus went into This surplus went into a storehouse, from which stewardships were given to a storehouse, from which stewardships were given to others, and from which the needs of the poor were others, and from which the needs of the poor were supplied supplied (Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, June (Marion G. Romney, Improvement Era, June 1966, p. 535).1966, p. 535).

““Sufficient” Sufficient” D&C 51:3 + John 21:21-23D&C 51:3 + John 21:21-23

• FamilyFamily • Circumstances Circumstances

• Wants Wants (D&C 82:17-19)(D&C 82:17-19)

• NeedsNeeds

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

YouYou

LordLord

BishopBishop

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

The End . . .The End . . .