one of the big myth’s in the church is that in order to live the law of consecration, a large group of individual must live it by some sort of social contract. i think the most practical way to live it was taught by king benjamin. basically, to give to the poor. as an in debt college student, probably the greatest joy i felt this christmas season was buying some books at barnes and noble for underpriviledged children.

“The law of consecration is that we consecrate our time, our talents, and our money and property to the cause of the Church; such are to be available to the extent they are needed to further the Lord’s interests on earth.”

1. “the Church”. While the LDS Church is largely synonymous with the Kingdom of God; I think there is some room for difference, and my consecration is for the Kingdom.
2. “be available to the extent they are needed”. where do people get the idea that ‘need’ will be defined by the Church? Sounds like practical, yet “slothful,” reasoning to me. Our “x” is to be available…not necessarily commanded. So…I think “available” and “extent” are the key words here.
3. I would agree with Matt’s interpretation re: Pride, and how we should be just as interested in helping our neighbors, the poor, etc. as ‘ourselves,’ with nicer ‘things’, educational opps, etc. To this “extent,” we should be pro-actively engaged in fulfilling our covenants.
4. However, an argument could be made that to keep our resources ‘available’ when/if they are officially/formally called upon by Church leaders, we should be conserving and magnifying our ‘time/talents/money’ etc. so that we will be in a better position to contribute all when asked. Not that this excuses not giving while we are accumulating.
5. Gordon’s view on how everything we do should be aimed towards building the Kingdom I think is right on track. Without splitting hairs, like whether it isn’t consecration to spend money on a date with your spouse (or a woman you are dating for single folks like me), take the parable of the talents, the widows mite, actively engaged vs. slothful servant, the covenant, and personal prayer and following Church counsel and I think that there are various ways that individuals will/can build the kingdom within “celestial” standard deviations. Most members are probably within the first deviation, i.e. give 10% tithe, give fast, give some % of discretionary resources for charitable causes etc. Others may have “progressed” beyond this, to where they are giving to the point where it hurts, or have their increased discretionary resources by reducing their “needs”/fighting pride, etc.
6. Without saying where I am/others are, I like Gordon’s idea of finding a ‘practical’ way to consecrate ourselves. I think we are doing that even simply by sharing our thoughts on this blog…seeking to share and learn. However, let’s focus on the first 1 or 2 standard deviations, i.e. where 95% of us are, and not deal with the “outliers.” Let Coveys, Youngs, and Huntsman’s deal with themselves. I’m more interested in finding ways that will motivate me and others to progress up from these initial deviations from the lowest common denominator towards increased discipleship.