LDS Freedom Forum

I was just doing a quick mental inventory concerning possessions I actually have to consecrate to God. That led me to beginning this thread due to considering how little people actually own in Babylon.

I know that there are some who have a considerable amount that is truly theirs. As you know the majority of people do not really own that much regardless of the lifestyle they live. Even with large incomes many still owe on their homes and cars. Car leasing has been popular in recent times and taught as a wise decision. Many, especially younger, people rent a domicile and many are in debt for student loans. Many of the aged depend on Gov. programs, to some degree, for subsistence. One interesting item of note, at least in the US, if money is deposited in the bank, that money is not yours. Yes, I have a bank account. I call it my money and expect no problems when I make a withdrawal. But as long as it is in the bank, it's not mine. I am not sure on safe deposit boxes.

Anyway, these thoughts made me wonder; is it really more difficult consecrating all unto God? From my brief thought experiment I am surprised at how much of my life in Babylon is based on false pride of ownership and faith that I will keep earning. God has told me everything in the earth is his. Babylon lets me believe it's all mine. As we know; Babylon is full of craftiness and falsehoods.

I believe the majority of members would brace at the idea of the Church requiring all to be consecrated. In Babylon we put our faith in banks and car dealerships all the time. We purchase insurance to make ourselves secure etc. . So I am asking; for a member, what would be more difficult about consecration?

"Babylon lets me believe it's all mine"
It does that. But we know better...

To answer your question with a another question.
Do we consecrate our blessings? All of them?

Analyzing,

I think you demonstrate why the law of consecration is more profound than most people understand. So many think of it as Godly socialism. The appeal of socialism is two fold. For those who don't have, a way to be taken care of, and get stuff from those who have more. For those who are already rich , a way of increasing their personal power over others and a way to keep the elite.. elite.

You cannot do much to consecrate your resources, if you don't own anything. Living beyond ones means leaves people with nothing to consecrate and a need to struggle harder to just not lose everything. Before one can live a life of consecration, one has to learn to live within one's means. Which, with the options and pressures of today, is more difficult than in years past.

Regards,

George Clay

You can concentrate everything to the Lord right now if you want. We think of consecration often as giving stuff away. We are just supposed to give it up.

Analyzing wrote:I know that there are some who have a considerable amount that is truly theirs. As you know the majority of people do not really own that much regardless of the lifestyle they live. Even with large incomes many still owe on their homes and cars. Car leasing has been popular in recent times and taught as a wise decision. Many, especially younger, people rent a domicile and many are in debt for student loans. Many of the aged depend on Gov. programs, to some degree, for subsistence. One interesting item of note, at least in the US, if money is deposited in the bank, that money is not yours. Yes, I have a bank account. I call it my money and expect no problems when I make a withdrawal. But as long as it is in the bank, it's not mine. I am not sure on safe deposit boxes.

Not to mention that because we have to pay property taxes on our land and automobiles we do not actually own either of them.

pollibird wrote:
Do we consecrate our blessings? All of them?

Hello pollibird. I find this thought precise interesting. I am going to answer this before reading any other posts in this thread so no bias occurs.

Personally, No. I hate to say that. I have never actually given this precise idea thought. I do have a personal rule in which I attempt to always remember where God has blessed me. Also, to make decisions based on how God would want me to handle situations when, I know the situation occurs, solely because I was blessed. Even when considerable time has passed and it is tempting to forget the blessing is still producing. Dishonorably, this does not always happen.

I am certainly interested in hearing more of your thoughts. Thank you.

gclayjr wrote: I think you demonstrate why the law of consecration is more profound than most people understand. So many think of it as Godly socialism.

The following is a talk distinguishing the differences between Socialism and the United Order. This really is worth reading.
http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=1476" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

gclayjr wrote:You cannot do much to consecrate your resources, if you don't own anything. Living beyond ones means leaves people with nothing to consecrate and a need to struggle harder to just not lose everything. Before one can live a life of consecration, one has to learn to live within one's means. Which, with the options and pressures of today, is more difficult than in years past.

Your thought was what I kept attempting to articulate. Glad you showed up.
The stark reality I came to last night; if the United Order was re-instituted tomorrow, I would have a lot of complicated maneuvering, to consecrate about 1/3 of what (I thought) I was worth. #-o

Jezebel wrote:You can concentrate everything to the Lord right now if you want. We think of consecration often as giving stuff away. We are just supposed to give it up.

Correct. According to Babylonian standards many would say to me; you are doing well. This makes me question why it is has been so difficult to institute this practice through out the ages. I know I am more blind, than I thought, about consecration.
The idea of having nothing to offer but ones self looms much larger in my thoughts where pride ruled more than I imagined.

mes5464 wrote:

Not to mention that because we have to pay property taxes on our land and automobiles we do not actually own either of them.

I have read many of your posts. If you have any other thoughts at all, especially about peculiarities if the United Order were to be reinstated, I would love to read them.

Thanks everyone