The Law of Consecration in Marriage

The Law of Consecration is a Celestial Law that involves us giving all that we have--our time, talents, resources, and basically everything that Heavenly Father gives us--to establish Zion and build up the Kingdom of God on the earth. It makes sense that we could apply the Law of Consecration to marriage and create Zion within our homes.

I appreciated the following metaphors in regard to the Law of Consecration:

Only the part of the car driven into the car wash can be cleaned.

Only those train cars hooked to the engine can be pulled up the mountain.

Only that which we bring to the altar can be sanctified and perfected.

H. Wallace Goddard said, "Consecration invites us to put everything we have on the altar--to hold nothing back" (pg. 105). We must accept the failings and limitations of our spouses in hopes of a strong relationship. After we successfully learn how to accept our spouse for who they are, then we can go one step further. The Law of Consecration allows us to "use our spiritual energy to rescue our imperfect partners" (pg. 105). 

Of course, the natural man made living the Law of Consecration or the United Order impossible back in early church history. The natural man can make living the Law of Consecration impossible in our marriages, too. Goddard said, "The natural spouse is an enemy to marriage" (pg. 106). Most of us, as we looked upon marriage, assumed that marriage would provide a way for our needs to be met. It was shocking when we realized that marriage is a lot more about taking care of another person's needs. In the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting in 2008, Sister Cheryl C. Lant said, "That's the best way to get our needs met, if we are looking to take care of somebody else" (pg. 13). 

Here are some helpful ways we can practice the Law of Consecration in our marriage:

• Gladly offer our best efforts
• Appreciate all that our spouse offers
• When we have unmet needs, humbly invite our spouse to help
• Receive help graciously
• Ask God to increase our capacity to give more than we have
• Give 5 positives for each negative

Do we give our best selves to our marriage? Just as Brigham Young described how some saints lived the Law of Consecration--giving withered animals that were not of much use--do we bring our "greatest generosity and richest forgiving to our marriage?" (Goddard, pg. 108).

Why is it that we sometimes treat our friends and even strangers with more compassion than our own family members? Our marriages and families are the best places to practice the Law of Consecration and offer best efforts.When we consecrate ourselves to marriage by bringing our whole soul as an offering to the everyday events of our relationship, we build an eternal relationship brick by brick.