Day 96-Atonement Insights

Hugh Nibley states, "Atonement is both individual and collective. That is what Zion is—"of one heart and one mind" (Moses 7:18), not only one with each other but with the Lord. So in 3 Nephi 11, after the Lord had contact with every member of the multitude personally, "one by one" (3 Nephi 11:14-15), "when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosannah! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him" (3 Nephi 11:16-17). That was a true at-one-ment. Now, the law of consecration is expressly designed "for the establishment of Zion," where "they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Moses 7:18). For that we must consecrate everything we have to the whole, losing nothing, for we are all one. To consecrate means to set apart, sanctify, and relinquish our own personal interest in the manner designated in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is the final decisive law and covenant by which we formally accept the Atonement and merit a share in it."

Hugh Nibley has some valid opinions about the atonement and consecration. The final covenant we make is the law of consecration. It is not only sharing our talents and time but our treasures and riches. I thought about how I live the law of consecration to an extent on my mission and within my family unit. However, I think it is hard enough to loan family members money let alone members of my ward. In order to live the law of consecration to the fullest, we will not have poor amongst us.