9. The Law of Consecration.--It is said of the early Christian saints that they "were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." [62] It was doubtless a desire to imitate this condition of affairs which led the followers of Sidney Rigdon, at Kirtland, to establish the "common stock" plan of living. That is, the whole community attempted to live together as one family, having all things in common. Nearly all the "family" joined the church; and when the Prophet settled in Kirtland, about the 1st of February, 1831, he persuaded them to abandon that plan of living, for the more perfect law of the Lord. [63] The more perfect law was the law of consecration. 10. The preparations for the introduction of this law was first made by the appointment of a bishop, who should have authority to administer in temporal things. The bishop was called by revelation on the 4th of February, 1831.[64] On the 9th of the same month the Lord in a revelation gave the first {323} instructions about the law of consecration.[65] From that and subsequent revelations we summarize the following in relation to that law: I. The person desiring to make the consecration brings his possessions to the bishop and delivers them unto him--consecrates them unto the Lord, giving them up absolutely, with a deed and a covenant that cannot be broken.[66] II. The person so consecrating his possessions, whether they be much or little, if it be a full consecration, has claim upon the bishop for stewardship out of the consecrated properties of the church, an inheritance for himself and his family,[67] from the management of which, by industry and economy--for this law contemplates industry and economy on the part of those who embrace it[68]--they may obtain a livelihood. But the possessions consecrated are the Lord's, or else the consecrations are vain, and the whole proceedings farcical.[69] The inheritance given to the individual is given to him as his stewardship, of which he must render an account unto the bishop.[70] The steward is responsible for his stewardship in time and in eternity unto the Lord.[71] The stewardships are to be secured to those to whom they are given by a written deed, that they may not be deprived of their inheritance.[72] III. After men have received their stewardships the income from them, over and above that which is needful for the support {324} of themselves and their families, is also to be consecrated unto the Lord and taken to the Lord's store house to be distributed to the poor to supply stewardships to those who have not yet received them, to purchase lands for the public benefit, to build houses of worship, temples, etc., etc.[73]