So for my assignment, I was asked to watch the John Tanner story and relate my feelings on the law of consecration. So my little boy and I did.
He was excited to watch a movie and I loved this assignment because it was something I could do with him. The story basically describes a man by the name of John Tanner, (link will take you to the official trailer for the film) who was very very ill. He received the news that he was destined to die, and so he began getting his affairs in order. As he begins this process, he runs into the Mormon missionaries of the time; this was back in the early 1800's mind you. He listens to their words and is converted to the gospel. When asked if he would be baptized, he claims he cannot because of his disease and disability. The elders ask if he has the faith to be healed, he claims that he does with all his heart, and within minutes-John Tanner is walking around his living room. God had healed him of his infirmities!
The most miraculous part of the story is what happens after he is baptized. He feels impressed that his wife and family should move to Kirkland, Ohio. When he arrives, he finds out that the Church is in debt and needs money in order to save the Kirkland Temple. He donates close to $50,000 in order to see the temple construction finished! What a great man. Then he is asked to follow the prophet to Missouri and Nauvoo. He is left a pauper, but it mattered not. What mattered was that he was spreading the Lord's Kingdom.
The main idea behind the law of Consecration is that everything we own is not ours-it is God's. If everything that we have is God's, then it is up to us to share of our wealth with others. We are to consecrate our time and talents to further God's work upon the Earth. John Tanner understood this principle and gave everything-time, talents, and fortune- to bringing forth the early Church. I honestly don't know how I would measure up should I be asked to give everything that I have. I would put faith in my God that he would provide for my needs, but I don't know how immediately willing I would be. I can't say. I would like to think that I would be just like John Tanner and jump at the Lord's beck and call-but, I honestly don't know.
There are many things that I have yet to learn about the law of consecration. There are many things that I do not yet understand. What I do know is that I have a testimony that God provides for each one of us. Though, we do not live the law of consecration at this moment in time, we are still asked to generously donate to the kingdom of God through fast offerings, tithing, and other special funds. We are asked to impart of our excess and share it with those do not have- and so, we are helping further the kingdom. I have a testimony of the blessings that we can receive when we impart of our substances, and I know that God wants all of us to share with those who have less. This is how we begin to bring forth Zion. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
He was excited to watch a movie and I loved this assignment because it was something I could do with him. The story basically describes a man by the name of John Tanner, (link will take you to the official trailer for the film) who was very very ill. He received the news that he was destined to die, and so he began getting his affairs in order. As he begins this process, he runs into the Mormon missionaries of the time; this was back in the early 1800's mind you. He listens to their words and is converted to the gospel. When asked if he would be baptized, he claims he cannot because of his disease and disability. The elders ask if he has the faith to be healed, he claims that he does with all his heart, and within minutes-John Tanner is walking around his living room. God had healed him of his infirmities!
The most miraculous part of the story is what happens after he is baptized. He feels impressed that his wife and family should move to Kirkland, Ohio. When he arrives, he finds out that the Church is in debt and needs money in order to save the Kirkland Temple. He donates close to $50,000 in order to see the temple construction finished! What a great man. Then he is asked to follow the prophet to Missouri and Nauvoo. He is left a pauper, but it mattered not. What mattered was that he was spreading the Lord's Kingdom.
The main idea behind the law of Consecration is that everything we own is not ours-it is God's. If everything that we have is God's, then it is up to us to share of our wealth with others. We are to consecrate our time and talents to further God's work upon the Earth. John Tanner understood this principle and gave everything-time, talents, and fortune- to bringing forth the early Church. I honestly don't know how I would measure up should I be asked to give everything that I have. I would put faith in my God that he would provide for my needs, but I don't know how immediately willing I would be. I can't say. I would like to think that I would be just like John Tanner and jump at the Lord's beck and call-but, I honestly don't know.
There are many things that I have yet to learn about the law of consecration. There are many things that I do not yet understand. What I do know is that I have a testimony that God provides for each one of us. Though, we do not live the law of consecration at this moment in time, we are still asked to generously donate to the kingdom of God through fast offerings, tithing, and other special funds. We are asked to impart of our excess and share it with those do not have- and so, we are helping further the kingdom. I have a testimony of the blessings that we can receive when we impart of our substances, and I know that God wants all of us to share with those who have less. This is how we begin to bring forth Zion. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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