D & C 85, 104, 119-120

The Law of Consecration:An Everlasting Order

Law of Consecration

AgencyStewardship

AccountabilityHow do these three principles relate to one another in

your life?

Principle 1: Agency (D&C 42:32-33)

And it shall come to pass, that after they [properties] are laid before the bishop of my church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the consecration of the properties of my church, that they cannot be taken from the church, agreeable to my commandments, every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration, as much as is sufficient for himself and family. And again, if there shall be properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is necessary for their support after this first consecration, which is a residue to be consecrated unto the bishop, it shall be kept to administer to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.

Principle 2: Stewardship

Organize yourselves and appoint 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 that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures (D&C 104:11-13).

The Temporal Order of the Church

Section 104

By April 1834 the Church is in a financial crisis. Mobs have destroyed the Saint’s property in Jackson County, MO. Brethren had been sent out by the Prophet to collect funds to relieve the burden on Kirtland and Zion.

Historical Background

Route of Zion’s Camp

Vs. 1-10 Saints who transgress against the United Order shall forfeit blessings

Vs. 11-16 The Lord provides for His Saints in His own way

Vs. 17-18 Gospel law governs care of the poorVs. 19-46 Example: Stewardships of various brethren

designatedVs. 47-53 The United Order in Kirtland and the Order

in Zion are to operate separatelyVs. 54-77 Sacred Treasury and General Treasury

definedVs. 78-86 Those in the United Order are to pay all their

debts

D&C 104 major points

“In getting out of debt and staying out of debt, there are certain basic principles that we, as individuals and families, can apply, such as:1. Live within your income.2. Prepare and use short- and long-term budgets.3. Regularly save a part of your income.4. Use your credit wisely, if it is necessary to use it at all. For

example, a reasonable debt may be justified for the acquisition of a home or education.

5. Preserve and utilize your assets through appropriate tax and estate planning.

“I know that by following these simple, basic principles it is possible to get out of debt and stay out of debt.

Elder Franklin D. Richards

Principle 3: Accountability

Sections 119 - 120

The Lord’s Law of Tithing

The Prophet is in Far West, MOThe Law of Tithing is givenAll Saints are now required to live it to be in

good standing (temple worthiness)Section 120 teaches of the disposition of the

funds of the ChurchSo when does the membership of the Church

really listen to this law? (Oct 1899 General Conference)

D&C 119-120 July 8, 1838

Although we are not required to live the United Order as did these early Saints, we have countless opportunities to consecrate our time and talents to the Lord. Every time we serve in a Church calling and then work to magnify that calling; every time we answer a call to help those who are less fortunate; every time we show gratitude to the Lord for the things that we have been blessed with by taking good care of them, we are learning to live the law of consecration.

As His Saints, we too must learn to obey these laws to receive an inheritance in the celestial kingdom.

Conclusion