D&C 119:1-7

From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Jump to: navigation, search

Home > Doctrine & Covenants > Section 119
Previous section: D&C 118                         Next section: D&C 120


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This heading should be very brief. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Historical setting

This heading should explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the section. This may include issues that prompted the section, its subsequent implementation, and the extent of circulation through its first inclusion in the Doctrine & Covenants. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

  • Received:
  • Prior section in chronological order D&C 118
  • Next section in chronological order D&C 120

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

  • D&C 119:1-4. What verse 1 describes as handing over "all their surplus property" is a reference to what is commonly called the law of consecration: the saints are here being commanded to give everything over that is not needed. What is curious about this is that this verse calls that obedience to the law of consecration "the beginning of the tithing of my people." Though we often talk about the fact that the word tithing is derived from a "tenth," it is clear that tithing as used here has a broader meaning. It seems to include any sacrifice which the Lord requires of us related to material wealth.
Verse 3 is clear that this beginning of tithing--"all their surplus property"--comes before tithing. It seems to be a one-time event associated with receiving an inheritance in the land of Zion (verse 5). After that point the "standing law unto them forever" is paying "one-tenth of all their interest annually." (Note that while the first tithe is of property, what we would call assets, the second tithe is of interest, what we would call income.)

Complete outline and page map

This heading contains an outline for the entire section. Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of this section. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Previous editions.

  • The oldest surviving copy of D&C 119 is __.
  • D&C 119 was first published in __.
  • D&C 119 was first included in the Doctrine & Covenants in the 18__ edition.
  • Changes to the text of D&C 119:

Related passages that interpret or shed light on D&C 119.

Doctrinal references cited on this page.

Historical references cited on this page.

Other resources.

  • D&C 119:1-7. Steven C. Harper. "'All Things Are the Lord’s': The Law of Consecration in the Doctrine and Covenants," The Doctrine and Covenants: Revelations in Context, ed. Andrew H. Hedges, J. Spencer Fluhman, and Alonzo L. Gaskill (Provo and Salt Lake City: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, and Deseret Book, 2008), 212–28. Brother Harper explains the Law of Consecration in the Doctrine and Covenants and that this law is still in force. In doing so he discusses the verses in this chapter.
  • D&C 119:3-4.Daniel L. Johnson, "The Law of Tithing," Ensign, Nov 2006, pp. 35–36. Elder Johnson refers to this text as he clearly defines what tithing is and is not, and then goes on to explain why the Lord requires his people to pay tithing.

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.



Previous section: D&C 118                         Next section: D&C 120