I taught the lesson, or rather lead a discussion, in elders quorum today. It was about trials and how God uses them to purify his people. One participant shared how some one had wronged his family and how he was unable to forgive them, not for his sake but for his family. He really could careless and is able to brush off what happened to him personally. It was the way his family was effected, and he is having a very hard time finding the strength to forgive. After he shared I was struck by the thought, "Was it me that wronged your family?" You see I was his home teacher for a long time and I wasn't there, ever. (Don't get me wrong here, I don't see myself as the center of the universe, just can't help but think if I had been a more consistent home teacher then maybe The Lord could have used me). It is amazing how trials can affect people differently. Some it hardens their hearts, like a women who lost her only child, she couldn't find it in her heart to forgive the death and blamed God. Me, despite the miracle of me coming out of my car accident unscathed, for a long time was numb to all things spiritual. (To some degree I still am, but I am working on it). What it comes down to is core beliefs, those principles that you root your life to. One who is rooted to God and seeks his guidance and comfort always comes away from the temptation or trial having grown in trust with God. Those who don't have that foundation are like pharaoh and harden their hearts against God.
In Sunday School we talked about the Law of Consecration and the United Order. Two different things that are always lumped together because they both come from the same place. The United Order was done as a way to adopt the law of consecration. The people deeded over all their property and money to the church and the church would deed back what was needed for the support of the families according to their needs and wants. While the Law of Consecration reads:
30 And behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.
31 And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall appoint or has appointed and set apart for that purpose.
32 And it shall come to pass, that after they 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. (Doctrine and Covenants 42)
I read nothing of "all" or "entire" property here, but rather "of". Meaning, at least as I read it, that what ever portion you give it is to be given and set aside only for The Lord and his church, or deeded over so becomes the property of the church. So in answer to the question does the church still practice the Law of Consecration? The answer is yes. Only difference is the decision as to how much we are willing to give to The Lord is up to us as individuals to decide, he still is asking for all of our time, talents, energies and properties, as is part of the temple covenant. How much is given is between you and God, no middle man is asking for any of it. So did the church have it wrong with the United Order? No, it was still voluntary. It was still between man and God, no one came demanding more or accusing you of not contributing everything (at least as far as I know). You had regular meetings with the bishop, similar to tithing settlement, where you are asked if you have contributed all that was required. It was an on your honor system.
Other things…
We finished watching 'The Bible' today. Everyone was so engrossed by it that we watched the last four parts today rather than wait another week. Episodes 6-8 are about the Savior and his mortal ministry, death and resurrection. The gruesomeness of his death really shocked the kids they had no idea how horrible crucifixion was. There was a lot of relief on their faces and in their hearts to see that his death was not the end that he was raised from the dead and continued to lead his church.
In the final episode I voiced my objections to the way the apostasy preformed baptism and gained the Holy Ghost. I was looking for consistency, Christ was baptized by immersion yet Ananias baptized Paul by pouring a pitcher of water or his head, and Peter baptized the Romans by dunking only their heads in water. It left me with a question, "If God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow why multiple ways of baptism?" The scriptures say there is but one baptism. The other problem I had was the way the Holy Ghost fell upon them at Pentecost. I feel there is plenty of evidence from the New Testament to support that it must be given by someone laying their hands on your head and giving the gift, not via a strange wind that carries it to you because you believe. My objection voiced publicly was enough for my kids to loose interest in the last episode.
