WEEK 9: Consecration

Consecration is a higher law that is not easy, nor is it natural.  The natural man tends to think of himself.  Consecration takes work – a lot of work.  But there is a strength that comes from being all in – committing your whole self to your spouse.  We dedicate everything we have and everything we are on the altar and commit whole-heartedly to our marriage.  When that commitment is reciprocated, a trust and a bond grows that is strong and better able to withstand the challenges that come our way.  It provides a secure foundation to help our family grow.  It provides safety and comfort.  In that total commitment, we change.  We become better. 

“Consecration in marriage is not simply about receiving our entrance card to the Celestial Kingdom.  It’s also about becoming qualified for the life we will presumably be living there.  This requires a transformation of character.  In serving and giving to those within our family stewardship as well as demonstrating patience and continually forgiving our spouses for all the ways they might not meet our expectations, we have the opportunity to emulate Christ, thus transforming ourselves.”  

(Goddard 110)

We become who God wants and needs us to become.  Throughout the challenges my husband and I have faced, we were able to draw strength from one another.  There is power that comes in knowing you are facing things as a team.  As a wife and a mother, I have a glimpse of what it takes.  Everything I do, from the moment I wake up and even after I go to sleep at night, I give my all.  It can be heart breaking at times.  But it is in those moments, when husband and wife can turn to each other, draw strength from each other, and then turn and face the challenges presented to them. 

Christ was the perfect example of a living a consecrated life.  In Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s conference address in October of 2010, he mentioned 5 “elements of a consecrated life: purity, work, respect for one’s body, service, and integrity.” 

Purity

Elder Christofferson states, “Consecration . . . means repentance. Stubbornness, rebellion, and rationalization must be abandoned, and in their place submission, a desire for correction, and acceptance of all that the Lord may require.”  A marriage requires repentance and forgiveness, and therefore purity.  We cannot get hung up on the little things.  We all do things that we need to repent of.  We need to be able to look past the little imperfections and minor grievances and recognize the good.  We want to be better and become more pure and trust that we can do so with the help of our spouse. 

Work

Christofferson continues, “A consecrated life is a life of labor. . . We naturally desire to participate with Him in His work, and in so doing, we ought to recognize that all honest work is the work of God.”  Marriage is work.  When we enter that marital covenant we join with God in accomplishing His work.  We participate with Him in consecrating ourselves to each other so we are better able to do the work of raising the choice spirits sent to us as children.

Respect for One’s Body

Elder Christofferson asserts, “A consecrated life respects the incomparable gift of one’s physical body, a divine creation in the very image of God. . . We have a duty to God with respect to this crowning achievement of His physical creation. . . As our body is the instrument of our spirit, it is vital that we care for it as best we can. We should consecrate its powers to serve and further the work of Christ.”  By taking care of our physical bodies, we are better able to look out for and serve our spouse.  If I can commit to taking care of my physical body, and my husband is my focus, then I am also taking care of his physical body as well.  We use those physical bodies to give each other everything we are. 

Service

Christofferson reminds us, “Jesus demonstrated that a consecrated life is a life of service. . . Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of consecration. . . Often it is in simple acts that confirm divine love and awareness.”  Marriage is about service.  Every day, every hour, and every minute there is an opportunity to serve our spouse.  My husband is really good at getting up and making breakfast for me on the weekend.  He knows that I have done it all week with the boys as they go to seminary and he is not always in town.  It may be small, but it means a lot to me.  When we serve each other, we help each other grow closer together, therefore strengthening our bond.  When we serve, we think of our spouse before we think of ourselves. 

Integrity

Christofferson concludes, “A consecrated life is a life of integrity. We see it in the husband and wife who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.  We see it in the father and mother who’s demonstrated first priority is to nourish their marriage and ensure the physical and spiritual welfare of their children.”  When we live a consecrated life, especially in our marriage, we can trust each other.  We can give our all, knowing we are loved. 

Living a consecrated life is a higher way of living.  In our marriage, we have the chance to practice this sacrifice and commitment, giving all that we have been blessed with and all that we might be blessed with, to each other.  We commit to give everything we have to helping each other become better able to live in the celestial kingdom together.

Goddard, H. W. (2009). Drawing Heaven into Your Marriage. Cedar Hills, UT: Joymap Pubishing.

Christofferson, D. T. (2010, November). Reflections on a Consecrated Life. Ensign, 16-19. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng