The Law of Consecration and Stewardship, Part 2

Lesson 31

Sections 83, 85, 92, 104

Theme

The law of consecration is the foundation of celestial living and the united order is the administrative organization which oversees it.

Theme Analysis

1. The law of consecration is the foundation for the practice of gospel principles in society.

   1. A Zion society is established upon the principles of the celestial kingdom.

   2. Purity of heart is the personal attribute upon which consecration functions.

2. All things belong to the Lord.

   1. All that man possesses is a sacred trust from God.

   2. Man is accountable for all earthly things.

3. The principles of consecration are as follows:

   1. Man acknowledges God’s ownership of everything.

   2. All seek the best interest and benefit of their neighbors.

   3. Every Saint receives a stewardship for which he is accountable.

   4. Surpluses and residues are used for the care of widows, orphans and the poor, and also for the public benefit and to provide for new “inheritances in Zion.”

4. The administration of the law of consecration is done through the united order.

   1. Each stake of Zion forms a part of the order.

   2. Storehouses and treasuries are the administrative and distributive centers of the order.

   3. “All things common” means all members have equal rights in the operation of the order.

   4. “Every man equal” means all members have equal claim and voice in the order.

   5. The bishop is the administrator of the order.

Study Sources

Student Manual

Sections 83, 85, 92, 104; Enrichment L, “The Law of Consecration and Stewardship”

Use material from Historical Background and Notes and Commentary to teach each revelation in its historical context.

Standard Works

• D&C 83, 85, 92, 104. Keeping in mind the theme of this lesson, read and ponder these sections.

• D&C 105:5. Upon what principles only can Zion be established? See also D&C 82:14, 19.

• D&C 97:21. What is Zion? See also Enrichment B, “Establishing Zion.”

• D&C 42:30–32. What course does the Lord direct the Saints to follow?

• D&C 51:3–5; 85:1. How are individual rights to ownership preserved in the order?

• D&C 51:3, 9. How is equality to be administered individually?

• D&C 82:17. How do members have equal claim on property in the order?

• D&C 82:18. What scriptural interpretation is provided for common? See application in Acts 2:44; 4:32; 3 Nephi 26:19; 4 Nephi 1:3.

• D&C 42:34–36. What is the purpose of the storehouse? For additional references see topical guide, s.v. “Consecration.”

Basic Library

• Teachings, pp. 22–23. Instructions on how consecrations are to be made.

• Teachings, p. 127. To what extent and for what purpose are consecrations to be made?

• Gos. Doc, p. 238. Suggestions on applying the principles of consecration.

• A of F, pp. 437–41. An overview of consecration and its relationship to stewardship.

• Bruce R. McConkie, in CR, Apr. 1975, pp. 74–77. Principles of sacrifice and consecration discussed.

• Marion G. Romney, in CR, Apr., 1977, pp. 117–21. Why we are engaged in the welfare program. Principles that must prevail before we can live the law of consecration.

• J. Reuben Clark, Jr., “The United Order and Law of Consecration as Set out in the Revelations of the Lord” (see the Appendix for the complete article).

Additional Sources

• Marion G. Romney, “Living the Principles of the Law of Consecration,” Ensign, Feb. 1979, pp. 3–4. An authoritative, complete overview of consecration.

• Marion G. Romney, New Era, May 1979, pp. 38–39. Background of the law and comments about when it will again be practiced.

• Marion G. Romney, in CR, Apr. 1966, pp. 95–101. An excellent comparison between socialism and consecration.

• J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in CR, Oct. 1942, pp. 54–59. Brief overview of the principles of consecration.

• William O. Nelson, “To Prepare a People,” Ensign, Jan. 1979, pp. 18–23. An overview of the history of consecration and the united order in the early part of this dispensation.

Some Suggestions for Presentation

(Ideas Other Teachers Have Used)

The teacher should note that lesson 17, “The Lord’s Law to the Church,” introduces consecration but does not discuss it in detail. Lesson 18, “True Disciples and Faithful Stewards,” deals with the principles of stewardship. Lesson 30, “The Law of Consecration and Stewardship, Part 1,” discusses the importance and seriousness of covenants as associated with the practice of consecration.

Socialism vs. Consecration (Discussion, Transparency)

Using Marion G. Romney’s instructive discourse on the contrast between socialism and consecration (see Conference Report, Apr. 1966, pp. 95–101; Enrichment L, “The Law of Consecration and Stewardship” in the student manual) and Transparency 13, “A Comparison of the Laws of Consecration and Socialism,” compare and contrast the two systems. You could assign research into the contrasts for further class discussion.

All Things Belong to God (Discussion)

Read Doctrine and Covenants 104:14. Ask the students to prepare a general inventory of all they possess temporally (including their bodies) and spiritually. Then have them prepare a report to God on how they have done with everything on their list. They might then list immediate and long-range goals. This can be done on a single sheet with columns labeled like the following.

Temporal and Spiritual Inventory

Evaluation of Trusteeship (Stewardship)

Goals for Further Action

You might invite students to discuss some of their evaluations for items which are not too personal. Help students understand that all things belong to God and that it is our responsibility to acknowledge God as the rightful owner and it is an opportunity to consecrate our all (everything) to God and his work.