Editing Law of consecration (section)

== Origins ==
On February 4, 1831, Smith received a [[revelation (Latter Day Saints)|revelation]] calling [[Edward Partridge]] to be the first [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|bishop]] of the church.<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|51}}</ref> Five days later, on February 9, 1831, Smith received another revelation detailing the law of consecration.<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|42}}</ref>

As practiced by the Latter Day Saints in Smith's day, the law of consecration was for the support of the poor and to ensure that all members would be "equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs."<ref>[[Doctrine and Covenants]] 42:30; 51:3.</ref> Adherents were asked to voluntarily [[deed]], or [[Consecration#Latter Day Saints|consecrate]], their property to the [[Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints)|Church of Christ]], and the church then would assign to each member a "stewardship" of property "as much as is sufficient for himself and family."<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|42|32}}</ref> If consecrated property became more than was sufficient for the assigned steward, the "residue" was "to be consecrated unto the bishop" kept for the benefit of "those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants."<ref>{{lds|Doctrine and Covenants|dc|42|33}}</ref>

Under Smith, members attempted to implement the law of consecration through the establishment of the [[United Order]], but it was never fully instituted due to conflict and disagreements.