Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 18:27

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 18:27
"And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given."

I pondered on how at a future time all God's people will have things in common. There have been times when that has happened.

It happened in the primitive church.

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
(Acts 2:44-45)

It happened after Christ appeared in the America's after his resurrection.

"And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another."
(3 Nephi 26:19)

"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."
(4 Nephi 1:3)

Sadly, as the people forget God and are filled with pride, they divide themselves and can no longer live in common.

"And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ."
(4 Nephi 1:24-26)

Even in the restored church there was an attempt.

"And you are to be equal, or in other words, you are to have equal claims on the properties, for the benefit of managing the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—
And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church—
Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God"
(Doctrine and Covenants 82:17-19)

This made me wonder if living the law of consecration under the united order will be in its fullness before Christ's second coming or after? One thing is for sure, paying tithes and fast offerings, keeping temple covenants helps prepare the people.

"For verily I say unto you, the time has come, and is now at hand; and behold, and lo, it must needs be that there be an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor of my people, both in this place and in the land of Zion—"
(Doctrine and Covenants 78:3)

Day 3433