So, How Do We Move From Tithing Back To Consecration?

[JLHPROF]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peculiarpeople/2014/11/consecrating-the-widows-mite/

Kind of a fun blog post on the journey we are going to have to take from tithing back towards consecration in the building up of Zion.

I really like their definition:

 

Simply put, the law of consecration requires that we consecrate, or give, everything we have to God, in recognition that it is his to begin with. Mormons believe that the consecration of property to God fosters ideal living conditions, a state characterized as a society living with one heart and one mind, in righteousness, with no poor among them.

 

So what do people think?  What are some things we can do now to prepare for then?  How do we move ourselves and our lives closer to consecration?

 

Because this is depressing:

 

After repeated failures, Mormon saints were eventually counseled that this law of consecration was to be implemented at some later date because of the “imperfections” of the saints and their “relations with the world

 

[Paddy]

I honestly don't see tithing as different from consecration. Tithing is just one practical aspect of the greater principle.

[Rain]

 What are some things we can do now to prepare for then?  How do we move ourselves and our lives closer to consecration?

 

 

I honestly don't see tithing as different from consecration. Tithing is just one practical aspect of the greater principle.

Have 100% of the members pay a full tithe.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Rain

[JLHPROF]

I honestly don't see tithing as different from consecration. Tithing is just one practical aspect of the greater principle.

 

Tithing is to consecration what telestial is to terrestrial.

[Paddy]

Tithing is to consecration what telestial is to terrestrial.

Not really. A better analogy would be that tithing is to consecration like fasting is to abstaining from food. Abstaing from food is just a practical expression of a far larger principle. But it is still a part of fasting

Edited November 6, 2014 by Paddy

[Avatar4321]

Start with consecration in the family

[Hamba Tuhan]

Why do we need to 'prepare'? Just do it. Pay your tithes and your offerings. Support a missionary. Share absolutely everything else you have, including -- and maybe most especially -- your time, and do so prayerfully so that it will be in ways that build up the Kingdom of God.

[Traela]

I suspect many members effectively live the Law of Consecration. If their time is needed, they give it. If someone is in need, they find a way to help.

[theplains]

Tithing is to consecration what telestial is to terrestrial.

 

You mean celestial. See the 1979 Ensign magazine, First Presidency Message - "Living the

Principles of the Law of Consecration".

 

"And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

 

“And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial

kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself".

 

Regards,

Jim

[JLHPROF]

 

You mean celestial. See the 1979 Ensign magazine, First Presidency Message - "Living the

Principles of the Law of Consecration".

 

"And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

 

“And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial

kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself".

 

Regards,

Jim

 

 

No actually I don't.  Not in the way I'm referring to.  The principles behind consecration are celestial, but if you think about it the Law of Consecration/United Order are definitely Terrestrial.

[theplains]

The principles behind consecration are celestial, but if you think about it the Law of Consecration/United Order are definitely Terrestrial.

 

How so?

 

Thanks,

Jim

[The Nehor]

Start living the laws we have especially the ones we personally do not like or find uncomfortable.

[Avatar4321]

Start living the laws we have especially the ones we personally do not like or find uncomfortable.

and the best way to do it is to start with our families.

if we need to be kind start with our family.

if we need to forgive start with our family.

if we need to be honest start with our family.

consecration can easily be lived within the family if we discipline ourselves.

[JLHPROF]

How so?

 

Thanks,

Jim

 

It's about the environment we live in.

 

Telestial - Tithing - 10% the minimum ask, living in a mortal, capitalistic society, to remember God and help the poor.

Terrestrial - Consecration - Give our all, manage our stewardship, ensure there are no poor among us (Zion society as in the Millennium when the earth moves from Telestial to Terrestrial)

Celestial - Eternity of matter, no poor, no hungry, no lack of anything.  Consecration principles still apply inasmuch as we work to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.  We work on behalf of others, but nobody lacks any possession.

 

So consecration principles of giving are Celestial and apply everywhere, but there is no need for much of the Law of Consecration/United Order in a Celestial Environment where all are Gods and all have access to eternities of matter and there are no poor, no hungry, no needy.  The principles of giving our all still apply, but not of possession and ownership.

[Alan]

How do we move from tithing back to consecration?

Some of us have already done so, so far as is possible in the current church climate.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Alan

[JLHPROF]

How do we move from tithing back to consecration?

Some of us have already done so.

 

I am seeing that from many responses on this board.

So how does the Church move beyond tithing (which some members object to paying) to Consecration in preparation for a Zion society?

I agree - it will start with individuals.  But at some point something will change to ask more of the general membership.

[thesometimesaint]

Noble principle that practicing is very hard to do.

[Buckeye]

So what do people think?  What are some things we can do now to prepare for then?  How do we move ourselves and our lives closer to consecration?

 

 

Realistically, I would take these steps:

1. Announce in GC that the Lord wants his people to begin moving towards the higher law
2. To that end, create several units in diverse circumstances (geography, culture, wealth) that will be pilots. The units can be already existing or created specifically for this pilot. Selection is based on a number of factors, including testimony of the law of tithing and fast offerings, but especially on these members' love and patience with others (as that will be stressed)
3. Commission a group of church leaders to study (and pray) regarding why the law previously failed.
4. Start the pilot groups
5. Based off of the results, adapt and expand the program as the membership shows a willingness to accept. This may require that we end missionary work.

[JLHPROF]

 

Realistically, I would take these steps:

1. Announce in GC that the Lord wants his people to begin moving towards the higher law
2. To that end, create several units in diverse circumstances (geography, culture, wealth) that will be pilots. The units can be already existing or created specifically for this pilot. Selection is based on a number of factors, including testimony of the law of tithing and fast offerings, but especially on these members' love and patience with others (as that will be stressed)
3. Commission a group of church leaders to study (and pray) regarding why the law previously failed.
4. Start the pilot groups
5. Based off of the results, adapt and expand the program as the membership shows a willingness to accept. This may require that we end missionary work.

 

 

I like this idea of pilot programs.  One issue that the early Church faced that the current Church might not is that we now have so much infrastructure, hierachy, reporting.  I would think it would be easier for the Church today to manage the membership in a trial United Order to ensure rules were being followed or member removal if rules were violated.

It would be harder for these United Orders to implode.

[pogi]

So how does the Church move beyond tithing (which some members object to paying) to Consecration in preparation for a Zion society?

 

As history has already demonstrated, consecration can only work as the result of a Zion society, not in the preparation for one.  All who participate need to be a zion people already.  

Edited November 6, 2014 by pogi

[Buckeye]

I like this idea of pilot programs.  One issue that the early Church faced that the current Church might not is that we now have so much infrastructure, hierachy, reporting.  I would think it would be easier for the Church today to manage the membership in a trial United Order to ensure rules were being followed or member removal if rules were violated.

It would be harder for these United Orders to implode.

 

But also harder in other ways. People are much more mobile today. And any church financial support - propping up - of the pilots could easily undermine the whole system.

 

On the bright side, if Meet the Mormons is a Netflix success, we could come out with a series of United Order - themed "survival" reality shows. We'll start with United Order Missouri. Then move to United Order South Pacific, United Order Amazon, and scariest of all, United Order France.

[Coreyb]

As history has already demonstrated, consecration can only work as the result of a Zion society, not in the preparation for one.  All who participate need to be a zion people already.  

Not sure history really demonstrates that. Perhaps complete chastity is a law that can only work for a Zion society and not in preparation for one.

[Ahab]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peculiarpeople/2014/11/consecrating-the-widows-mite/

Kind of a fun blog post on the journey we are going to have to take from tithing back towards consecration in the building up of Zion.

I really like their definition:

So what do people think? What are some things we can do now to prepare for then? How do we move ourselves and our lives closer to consecration?

Because this is depressing:

For each individual who lives the law of consecration, and many today have made a covenant with God to do that, giving everything I have to God is all about sharing, sharing what I have as if it isn't just "mine mine mine", sharing as God shares with those he shares with, charitably, for the common good, with the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the one or the few.

It means when I see a brother or sister in need and I am able to give that to or share what I have with them, I do that, as long as it is for the common good.

Instead of "to each their own" it is "whatever is mine is yours" with neither one abusing those resources.

We still need to be prudent as good stewards, but there is nothing wrong with sharing as long as we do things as God does and wants us to do.

[cinepro]

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/peculiarpeople/2014/11/consecrating-the-widows-mite/

Kind of a fun blog post on the journey we are going to have to take from tithing back towards consecration in the building up of Zion.

I really like their definition:

 

So what do people think?  What are some things we can do now to prepare for then?  How do we move ourselves and our lives closer to consecration?

 

Because this is depressing:

 

As others have pointed out, "The Law of Consecration" is more than just the communitarian experiments from the 1800s.  It's a principle.  Certainly, it's possible for anyone, anywhere to live the principle in many different ways. 

 

At its most basic, I see "consecration" as the antithesis to consumerism.  Obviously, our larger society is pretty obsessed with the acquisition of consumer products, buying things that we don't really need, and spending more money than we might need to for the things that we do need.  To the degree that such attitudes and habits are found among LDS, it is hard to shift to a mindset of "consecration".

 

As for the actual communitarian experiments in Missouri and Utah, they were destined to fail. Good intentions can never overcome the laws of economics.

Edited November 6, 2014 by cinepro

[rpn]

If we are paying tithing, and generous offerings, both for Fasting, and for other needs according to our ability to pay; if we are spending our free time in things that matter to quality of life and to healthy and inspiring relationships; when we seek another's comfort and happiness even at times when it requires a sacrifice from us; when we think of "my" things less, and His things that I'm honored to be entrusted with, so what do I do with them consistent with that; THEN we are moving to a time when the law of consecration won't really be any imposition because we are already doing it.

 

My parents one year provided an entire ward dinner from their garden and herd and labor (to make the rolls).   It was the first year that my parents had had enough income to owe income tax (I have lots of siblings).  And during that short time when they had resources, they took in three in the Indian Placement Program.   My parents, as poor as they were financially, had always been the first to weed at the church farm, or take a meal or dad fixing someone's thing that needed fixing.  But as soon as they had what they saw as a little extra, they went bigger.   

 

We prepare by living in service to all of Heavenly Parents' children so that we no longer count or resent or see such service as a burden or as something we must do, but something that we are.