“34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” — Acts 4:34–351
In February 1831, Joseph Smith shared the revelation known as the law of consecration (found in Doctrine and Covenants 42) with the Latter-day Saints. This law instructed the Saints to consecrate their properties to the Church for the support of the poor, build Zion, and gather the covenant people. The properties were to be managed by the bishop and his counselors to ensure that every member of the Church acted as a steward over their own property, using it for their family’s needs and contributing any excess to the Church’s storehouse.2
The Saints then saw their possessions as a sacred stewardship from God rather than as personal property. By consecrating their property to the bishop, they received inheritances in Zion according to their families’ needs, and any surplus was put toward the community. This approach was different from the common property system practiced on the Morleys’ farm.3
