Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Acts 5:3
"But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"

I've always been fascinated with this story. Ananias and then his wife Sapphira both fell dead after having lied to Peter on the sale price of their land. Why did they even consecrate it if they didn't want to do that? Now I've understood the part of this story about honestly and spiritual death for lying but I thought there was more. I found this wonderful Oct. 1992 General Conference talk on consecration by Neal A. Maxwell, "Settle This in Your Hearts".

"Likewise it is only fair to warn that any determination to seek greater consecration will soon expose what we yet lack, a painful but necessary thing. Remember the rich, righteous young man who was told by Jesus, "One thing thou lackest"? Ananias and Sapphira, otherwise good members of the Church, "kept back" a portion instead of consecrating their all. Some would never sell Jesus for thirty pieces, but they would not give Him their all either!

Unfortunately, we tend to think of consecration only in terms of property and money. But there are so many ways of keeping back part. One might be giving of money and time and yet hold back a significant portion of himself. ..One might hold back from kneeling before God’s throne and yet bow to a particular gallery of peers. One might accept a Church calling but have his heart more set on maintaining a certain role in the world.

Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus! Consecration is the only surrender which is also a victory... Heavenly Father is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new and the real self. It is not a question of losing our identity but of finding our true identity!

Increased consecration is not so much a demand for more hours of Church work as it is for more awareness of Whose work this really is! For now, consecration may not require giving up worldly possessions so much as being less possessed by them."

Day 1596

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 5:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Esther 5:3
"Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom."

The part "given thee to the half of the kingdom" made me search where else I had seen that offered.

King Herod said it to the daughter of Herodias, who danced before him.

"And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom."
(Mark 6:23)

Ammon meets the father of king Lamoni, who was king over all the land. When the king realized Ammon could slay him, he offered him even half his kingdom.

"Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom."
(Alma 20:23)

It is interesting that a worldly king will offer up to half his kingdom. To give all he would no longer be a king. Yet, the Lord is a joint heir of all of that the Father has, and we can be join heirs also. We don't get a portion we receive all.

"And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him."
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:38)

I pondered on what an amazing attitude and heart one would have to have in order to be a joint heir and not try to claim ownership of a portion that the Father has. One would truly have to posses charity, the pure love of Christ. You would have to totally be able to live the law of consecration.

"To dedicate, to make holy, or to become righteous. The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God's kingdom."

There has been times when the Lord's people have lived united with all things in common, and its never lasted. One doesn't need to live in a time when it's practiced to live that law. In fact I think its a higher law to live without being compelled to do so. Only a person's heart would know where they stand in this matter. It could only be done with the pure love of Christ.


Day 1006

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:11

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 8:11
"Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;"

Dedication made me think of the law of consecration. In the Scripture Study Helps I found this on the subject.

"To dedicate, to make holy, or to become righteous. The law of consecration is a divine principle whereby men and women voluntarily dedicate their time, talents, and material wealth to the establishment and building up of God's kingdom."

I remembered reading these quotes in my "Starting and Growing My Business for Self-Reliance" manual (pg 9). I had to go find them and record them because I didn't want to forget them. It had really struck me when I read them.

"The Lord has the power to help us become self-reliant. He has said "Behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles" (2 Nephi 27:23). As we dedicate, or consecrate, our efforts in our businesses to the holy purpose of becoming self-reliant, the Lord will guide us through inspiration. As we show our faith by listening for and obeying promptings, the Lord will do His miracles and make more out of our efforts than we could ever do on our own."

"To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes."  (D. Todd Christofferson)


Day 850

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 119:1-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 119:1-4

Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion,

For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church.

And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.

And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord."

This revelation was given to Joseph Smith after he inquired of the Lord on how much tithing was required. Before that the saints had lived the law of consecration and stewardship of property. As I pondered on this I saw that what was required before paying one-tenth tithing was the giving of all our surplus property. That isn't something I was ever asked to do. I wondered why we don't do that anymore?

Then I read what the surplus was for. It for building the House of the Lord, laying the foundation of Zion, and the paying of debts. Well the foundation has already been laid now. Temples are dotting the earth, and the church has paid all its debts and has a surplus. That would be why it is no longer required of us. I remembered back when younger how it was required of us to provide part of the funds for our chapel when it was built. It was a lot of hours and hard work as a ward to raise that money. There was even a building fund allotment per family. Now those are no longer required. It is the blessing of many faithful saints paying their tithing, that takes care of all the needs of the church. I had such a sense of gratitude for the saints prior to me and their sacrifices. How they helped lay a foundation that blessed the lives of those that followed. 

Day 538

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 91:1

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 91:1

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order, organized agreeable to the commandment previously given, a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye shall receive him into the order. What I say unto one I say unto all."

I have to admit I don't really understand all about the united order. It isn't something I have felt impressed to study and learn about. I know it deals with the law of consecration, and I live that as things are setup right now. Someday the members of the church maybe called to live the united order again, but that just seems so far away to me. 

One thing I do hope is if I was called to live it, I hope it is during a time of wealth for me. I think the blessings would be incredible to give all when there is much to give. If I gave in my poverty I would be concerned I would unite in this because of my own personal greed. 

As I thought on this short two verse chapter, my mind went back to a conversation I had with a sister I visit taught in New England, over 30 years ago. She was going inactive and all worked up and concerned about someday being asked to live the law of polygamy. I was young and inexperienced and had never thought upon this matter. While I sat and listened, I just prayed in my heart I would know what to say. Then the spirit spoke and I said "There is a reason you are concerned about living the law of polygamy right now. That is because we are not asked to live it. Your heart is right in this matter. When or if the time ever comes to live such a law again, I am sure your heart and my heart will be changed. Then we would be able to do what we are asked to do." These words settled the matter for the sister and were words of marvel to me. This experience has helped me be relieved of any concern on matters I do not understand. I do not have to pick at them to make myself raw over them. I know when its time to understand or know something of importance, my mind will be opened to these things.  

Day 511

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 85:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 85:3

"It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God."

This is the first time I realized that keeping the law of tithing is also living the law of consecration. I seem to be finding more and more ways I can keep and live the law of consecration. It is something I don't fully understand. It is something I am ready to learn.

Day 504