D&C 83
Section 83 is very short and refers to a specific population and how they are affected by the law of consecration, that of widows and orphans. The IM quotes the Prophet Joseph Smith giving background as follows: "On the 27th, we transacted considerable business for the salvation of the Saints, who were settling among a ferocious set of mobbers, like lambs among wolves. It was my endeavor to so organize the Church, that the brethren might eventually be independent of every incumbrance beneath the celestial kingdom, by bonds and covenants of mutual friendship, and mutual love. On the 28th and 29th, I visited the brethren above the Big Blue river, in Kaw township, a few miles west of Independence, and received a welcome only known by the brethren and sisters united as one in the same faith, and by the same baptism, and supported by the same Lord. The Colesville branch, in particular, rejoiced as the ancient Saints did with Paul. It is good to rejoice with the people of God. On the 30th, I returned to Independence, and again sat in council with the brethren, and received the following: (D&C 83)."
83:1-6 - The Lord teaches that "women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken." If they are faithful, they will remain members and if they do not, then they will be excommunicated, "yet they may remain upon their inheritances according to the laws of the land." DJR comments that this is "because the United Order includes private ownership of property; thus their property belongs to them, not to the Church." The Lord continues, "All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age. And after that, they have claim upon the Church... if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances." The IM teaches about this section saying, "Since widows and orphans have special challenges, the Lord spelled out the Church's special obligation to care for them. The declaration that a widow could remain upon her inheritance and that children who came of age could lay claim upon the Lord's storehouse referred to the law of consecration. While indicating the responsibility of the Church for certain Saints in unfortunate circumstances, the Lord also outlined the basic responsibility of family members to care for their own. President Spencer W. Kimball said: 'The Church and its members are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent. The responsibility for each person's social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof. No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family's well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life.'"
83:1-6 - The Lord teaches that "women have claim on their husbands for their maintenance, until their husbands are taken." If they are faithful, they will remain members and if they do not, then they will be excommunicated, "yet they may remain upon their inheritances according to the laws of the land." DJR comments that this is "because the United Order includes private ownership of property; thus their property belongs to them, not to the Church." The Lord continues, "All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age. And after that, they have claim upon the Church... if their parents have not wherewith to give them inheritances." The IM teaches about this section saying, "Since widows and orphans have special challenges, the Lord spelled out the Church's special obligation to care for them. The declaration that a widow could remain upon her inheritance and that children who came of age could lay claim upon the Lord's storehouse referred to the law of consecration. While indicating the responsibility of the Church for certain Saints in unfortunate circumstances, the Lord also outlined the basic responsibility of family members to care for their own. President Spencer W. Kimball said: 'The Church and its members are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent. The responsibility for each person's social, emotional, spiritual, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second upon his family, and third upon the Church if he is a faithful member thereof. No true Latter-day Saint, while physically or emotionally able will voluntarily shift the burden of his own or his family's well-being to someone else. So long as he can, under the inspiration of the Lord and with his own labors, he will supply himself and his family with the spiritual and temporal necessities of life.'"
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