The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Steward’s Consecration Booklet

Presiding Bishop W. Kevin Romer

Counselors Jerry A. Sherer and Dan D. Keleher

3/13/2013

As members of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we have longed for Zion for many years. Establishing the cause of Zion has been the calling to the Church from its inception in 1830. In recent revelation the call to Zion has been renewed. This booklet is designed to help the steward in his/her desire to assist in this great work. Doctrine and Covenants R-147:1-2b “The Spirit of Inspiration through my servant the President of the High Priesthood and of the Church directs that now is the time to implement more fully the temporal law of my Church, It shall be in fulfillment of, and according to, the pattern given previously in my law…. This call is made now because the time grows short for the redemption of my Zion and the work of the Bishopric must proceed with all haste. Preparation must be made before the next General Conference in order that the work towards the fulfillment of the temporal law may be hastened….

Doctrine and Covenants R-151:5a Harmony and charity must prevail among all of those now called under the name of my Remnant Church. Further obedience to the Celestial Law and the Law of Consecration is a necessary requirement for the preparation of the Bride.

Doctrine and Covenants 70: 2b-3b nevertheless, inasmuch as they receive more than is needful for their necessities and their wants, it shall be given into my storehouse, and the benefits shall be consecrated unto the inhabitants of Zion and unto their generations, inasmuch as they become heirs according to the laws of the kingdom. Behold, this is what the Lord requires of every man in his stewardship, even as I, the Lord, have appointed, or shall hereafter appoint unto any man. And behold, none are exempt from this law who belong to the church of the living God; yea, neither the bishop, neither the agent, who keepeth the Lord's storehouse; neither he who is appointed in a stewardship over temporal things;

Doctrine and Covenants 81: 3b I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.

In response to the above revelations, the Bishopric guides stewards according to the patterns and law given in the Doctrine and Covenants. The covenant of Consecration is in similitude of Jesus’ life of self-denial and sacrifice. He dedicated His all for us. Adherence to the Celestial Law of temporalities can only be accomplished if it is understood and practiced in the “light” of the pure love of Jesus Christ. The two great commandments are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, might, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. On these two commandments hang all the temporal law. Keeping the Celestial law is an expression of that love. For if you have done it unto the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me. It is God’s plan for the poor to be lifted up through the consecration of surplus by those who have more than they need. Thus, all might receive an inheritance in Zion that there may be no poor among us. (1)

Consecration Principles A booklet titled “Zionic Development & The Celestial Law” has been prepared to assist the steward in gaining a better understanding of the law and its application in Zion. It is our recommendation that a thorough study of the Zionic principles therein be undertaken in preparation for consecrating our temporal lives to the building of the Kingdom. Zion’s coming forth requires our movement into the celestial realm through compliance with the Celestial Law as it applies to temporalities.

Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” D&C 102:2c “and Zion can not be built up unless it is by the principles of the Law of the celestial kingdom, otherwise I can not receive her unto myself.” D&C 106:2a-c “Verily I say unto you, It shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you. And I say unto you if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, It shall not be a land of Zion unto you;” Malachi 3: 7-10 “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

(2)

It is required at the hand of every steward to “Lay all Things” before the Bishop (make a full accounting of our time, talents and temporalities). The Consecration Forms attached to this booklet are intended to help the steward fulfill this requirement. The steward is advised to consider his/her individual situation and modify the forms as necessary. The steward will evaluate his/her inheritance in Zion, and, if there is any surplus, give into the storehouse. Secondly, complete an annual budget. Then, describe his/her stewardship commitment of time and talents to the cause of Zion. We must remember that the act of consecration (making holy) is done for the glory of God and to serve our fellow man. It is through this process that all things may be made sacred.

Consecration Forms: Instructions Fill Out Your Family Information: (page 7) List Your Assets and Liabilities – Find Your Financial Net Worth: (page 8) (A) (B) (C) (D)

Describe the asset(s) if necessary List the asset(s) value Show how much is still owed Subtract to determine the net worth

Completely fill these four columns for all your possessions rounding values to whole dollars Type

Details [A]

Value [B]

Still Owe [C]

Net Worth [D]

Retain [E]

Surplus [F]

Financial Assets Cash

0

Saving Account

0

Checking Account

0

List your financial assets, vehicles, land and buildings…but do not spend much time estimating household possessions. Show a lump sum for furniture, clothes and goods____ which will be part of your Inheritance. Likewise for your business, show a lump sum of its estimated value to be part of your Inheritance. The following items are sometimes considered partly or entirely surplus. Ponder selling these to cast the proceeds into the Storehouse: Collections, jewelry, guns, coins, etc____ Other valuables or inheritances____ Total columns B and C at the bottom of the page…then subtract (B - C) to determine the net worth D

(3)

Retain Your Inheritance: (E) Begin filling in the values in this column for items you will retain as your Inheritance… If uncertain, leave an item blank until you meet to discuss it with the Bishops. Some assets may be partially retained and partially given as Surplus.

Consecrate The Surplus: (F) Values in this column are given as surplus to the Storehouse. Total columns E and F at the bottom of the page (then also enter the values in the larger boxes below) Check your math to verify that (E) Inheritance + (F) Surplus = (D) Net Worth

Complete Your Annual Budget (pages 9 and 10): This should be a carefully thorough analysis of your proposed spending, saving and giving for this year. As a consecrated steward, this will continue to be a yearly process to keep your financial house in order.

Stewardships, Time and Talents: (page 11) Each steward should review their training, education, business skills and personal gifts to dedicate these to the cause of Zion. Some have a dream or desire that they would like to pursue in Zion. Share those also.

(4)

Send or bring the completed consecration forms to: The Presiding Bishop’s Office 700 West Lexington, Independence, MO 64050 Phone: 816-461-7215 Keep a photocopy at your home in case they are lost in transit. You will be contacted for scheduling an appointment to meet and review your accounting before two of the bishops. After this first meeting, a second meeting date will be set to complete the process with a consecration service in the Steward’s home.

Questions and Answers about Consecration 1. How is Consecration the beginning of Tithing? Although the RLDS practiced it, there is no “First Tithing Statement” prescribed in scripture that exacts a 10% obligation of all you possess. This would be grossly unfair to those that have great need. D&C 106 is presented as a law unto the Church that calls for sending all of our surplus to the storehouse, and annually filing and paying our tithing on our Increase. Also note that there can be no Zion if the Saints do not adhere to this law. 2. Do I need to have Surplus to consecrate? You may not have Financial Surplus, but you certainly can participate by consecrating your stewardship to the Lord. By laying all before the Bishop, you consecrate all of your resources, time, talents and temporalities to God and pledge to put the things of the kingdom first in your life. You will receive a “Certificate and Testimony” indicating your compliance with the fullness of the Law. 3. Who decides what is surplus and what is needed in my Inheritance? A steward will decide what his needs and just wants will be with the assistance of the Bishops. All Saints are encouraged to reap bountifully, but remember the parable of the rich man who decided to build bigger barns to hoard the blessings God instead of having charity in his heart. His life ended that very day. Mosiah 9:62 And thus they should impart of their substance, of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul. 4. Does laying all before the Bishop happen annually? No! The consecration of one’s total stewardship occurs once. Thereafter, consecration of surplus occurs as often as one generates additional surplus. (5)

5. After I make my Consecration what is necessary to be an accountable steward? a) Review your last year to determine if you have additional surplus for the storehouse b) File your annual accounting and pay tithes on your increase c) Prepare your annual budget for your household 6. I’m married and my spouse is not a member of the Church. Can I participate in the consecration process? Yes. Please ask the Bishopric for a copy of the written policy in place regarding this 7. What about my children’s Inheritance? D&C 82:2a states: All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age; and after that, they have claim upon the church; or, in other words, upon the Lord’s storehouse, if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances. We believe that parents have the requirement to give their children a start in the world. This may include an education, job skills, help with establishing a home, etc.. The type of inheritance provided should be determined by the stewardship commitment of the child and the specific needs involved. Assisting an adult child to become a more productive steward, thus enabling them to generate increase and future surplus, would certainly be a just want on the part of parents; however, how much assistance should one give to an adult child who has no interest in the things of the kingdom? This is a question that only parents can answer. A quick guide as to the tithing of gifts: a) Gifts to children or others while you are alive to meet their needs – NOT TITHABLE b) Amounts bequeathed to heirs or beneficiaries restricted for needs – NOT TITHABLE c) Unrestricted inheritances – TITHABLE (suggest including in the will a 10% portion directly sent to the Church)

Questions and Answers about the Forms 1. How detailed should I be when filling out the Consecration Forms? A meticulous detailed value of “things” may not be very relevant to the process. Household items will generally be retained by the stewards as part of their inheritance. The chief benefit achieved by valuing these items is to provide the stewards with an awareness of where they spend income, so a better understanding of repressing unnecessary wants can be achieved. 2. How do I determine what to retain as an inheritance? To determine your inheritance you need to take into account: a) What is required to take care of your needs b) How to produce increase to take care of your just wants c) Then eventually be blessed such that additional surplus can be cast into the storehouse (6)