Law of Consecration

Law of Consecration
Name	Law of Consecration
Introduced	19th century
Origins	Joseph Smith
Region	United States
Religious tradition	Latter Day Saint movement

Law of Consecration The Law of Consecration is a 19th‑century Latter Day Saint religious principle first articulated during the early Nauvoo period and associated with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, and other leaders of the Latter Day Saint movement. It envisions consecration of property and redistribution managed through ecclesiastical stewardship, and it intersects with practices promoted by figures such as Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff. The doctrine influenced communal experiments like the United Order (Latter Day Saint) and movements in Kirtland, Ohio, Independence, Missouri, and Nauvoo, Illinois.

Overview and definition

The Law of Consecration is defined in early revelations attributed to Joseph Smith and published in compilations such as the Doctrine and Covenants (Latter Day Saints), where passages assign property "to the bishop" and organize resources under designated stewards. Early articulations involved contemporaries including Hyrum Smith, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, Brigham Young, and Willard Richards. Related institutional forms include the United Order and the Order of Enoch, and contemporary scholarship references by historians like Richard L. Bushman, Fawn M. Brodie, D. Michael Quinn, and Terryl Givens examine doctrinal texts from the Kirtland Safety Society era. Ecclesiastical oversight involved structures such as the Presiding Bishopric (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and local ward systems under leaders like Gordon B. Hinckley and Russell M. Nelson who later addressed stewardship themes.

Historical origins and development

Origins trace to revelations delivered in the 1830s during the Kirtland period and the Missouri conflicts around the 1838 Mormon War, with participants including Sidney Rigdon, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and Parley P. Pratt. Implementation saw experiments in Jackson County, Missouri, Far West, Missouri, Zion (Latter Day Saints), and later in Salt Lake Valley following the Mormon Exodus led by Brigham Young. The principle evolved through directives recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (LDS edition) and through policies enacted by councils including the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), the First Presidency (LDS Church), and bishops such as Edward Hunter. Scholars like Jan Shipps and Leonard J. Arrington document transitions from communal attempts to later emphasis on voluntary welfare administered by organizations such as the LDS Humanitarian Services and programs initiated under presidents like Ezra Taft Benson.

Doctrine and theological significance

The theological basis links to scriptural motifs found in Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants (Latter Day Saints), and early restorationist rhetoric from Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, invoking models from Old Testament narratives and prophetic precedent including Moses analogies used by leaders such as Orson Hyde. The Law of Consecration is framed as an expression of covenants, stewardships, and the pursuit of Zion, themes echoed by theologians like James E. Talmage and B. H. Roberts. It intersects with teachings from Elders and doctrinal expositions by Bruce R. McConkie, Paul-referencing rhetoric in sermons by Joseph Fielding Smith, and later interpretations by modern apostles such as Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Canonical sections and revelations guided implementation through ecclesiastical offices including the bishopric, stake presidency, and instructional settings like BYU devotional talks.

Implementation and practices

Early implementation included consecration of personal property to the church and assignment of stewardship by bishops and trustees, practiced in communities with leaders like Edward Partridge, William Smith (brother of Joseph) and overseen in councils including the High Council (LDS Church). Communal farms, mercantile stores, and cooperative ventures were organized in settlements such as Nauvoo, Caldwell County, Missouri, Salt Lake City, and Provo, Utah, involving participants like Peter M. Jensen and Philo T. Farnsworth-era discussions on cooperative economics. Later adaptations shifted toward welfare programs administered by institutions including LDS Philanthropies, Deseret Industries, and the Church Welfare Program whose directors and proponents included leaders like N. Eldon Tanner and E. G. Cannon. Implementation modalities have been debated by scholars such as Grant Palmer and administrators at Brigham Young University.

Relationship to tithing and Stewardship within the Latter Day Saint movement

The Law of Consecration has been contrasted with the practice of tithing institutionalized under leaders like Wilford Woodruff and administered by the Presiding Bishopric (LDS Church), and both have been the subject of policy decisions by presidencies including Heber J. Grant and Joseph F. Smith. Church teaching distinguishes consecration’s ideal of full resource dedication from tithing’s proportionate financial obligation; this distinction was discussed in conference addresses by Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and Howard W. Hunter. Stewardship frameworks referenced by administrators such as Spencer W. Kimball and scholars like John W. Welch connect consecration to modern welfare practices, relief societies overseen by leaders like Eliza R. Snow, and the operation of bishoprics in assessing needs and allocating resources.

Controversies and criticisms

Controversies involve debates over voluntarism, coercion, property rights, and the ecclesiastical role in redistribution, as critiqued by historians like Fawn M. Brodie, D. Michael Quinn, and commentators such as Grant Palmer. Legal disputes arose during the Missouri Mormon War and in property conflicts in Illinois and Utah Territory, involving figures like Thomas L. Kane and actions debated in the context of U.S. law and territorial governance. Critics cite failures of communal experiments in places like Kirtland, Ohio and United Order settlements analyzed by historians including Richard L. Bushman and economists evaluating cooperative ventures. Apologetic responses from scholars such as Daniel C. Peterson and church historians like G. Homer Durham address doctrinal intent and historical implementation.

Modern adaptations and contemporary practice

Contemporary practice emphasizes voluntary consecration expressed through tithing, fast offerings, humanitarian aid, and welfare administered by organizations including LDS Philanthropies, Deseret Industries, and humanitarian offices initiated under leaders like Thomas S. Monson and Russell M. Nelson. Educational institutions such as Brigham Young University and think tanks including The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship examine historical records and doctrinal development, while modern leaders and scholars including Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Henry B. Eyring, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland have reiterated themes of stewardship, consecrated living, and service. Contemporary communal experiments and cooperative economic initiatives occasionally reference early models from Kirtland and Nauvoo in academic studies and interfaith discussions.

Category:Latter Day Saint doctrines