D&C 85

In  answer to matters that weighed heavily on the Prophet Joseph Smith's mind, the Lord revealed the importance -

"...to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop..."  (Doctrine and Covenants  Section 85:1)

In my mind, that in addition to a history of the Church, there was to be a record kept (a book of remembrance) of the doings and consecrations of the saints.  It seemed to be so important that the Lord revealed -

"It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 85:3)

Suggesting these are they -

"...whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb..."  (New Testament Revelation 13:8)

In a previous revelation we learn -

"...it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity."   (Doctrine and Covenants Section 72:3)

In this manner we are entered into the records of the Church that we have been valiant in our consecrations.  If we fail to follow this pattern, the consequence maybe that our posterity also follow this example as the Lord said -

"Neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church.
5 Their names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts."  (Doctrine and Covenants Section 85:4 - 5)

Joseph F. Smith said -

"I will read now a few verses from Section 85 of the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, commencing at the 9th verse: [to v. 12, quoted.] I am going to turn now to Ezra (chapter 2) and see what is said there. We read:

'And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:
62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.'  (Old Testament Ezra 2:61 - 63)


This is the position the people will be in when they come to claim an inheritance in Zion, if their names are not found recorded in the book of the law of God. And I want to tell you that this refers directly to the law of tithing. . . .

Some people may not care very much whether their names are recorded or not, but this comes from ignorance of the consequences. If their names are not recorded they will not only be cut off from the assistance which they would be entitled to from the Church if they needed it, but they will be cut off from the ordinances of the house of God; they will be cut asunder from their dead and from their fathers who have been faithful, or from those who shall come after them who shall be faithful, and they will be appointed their portion with the unbelievers, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It means that you will be cut off from your fathers and mothers, from your husbands, your wives, your children, and that you shall have no portion or lot or inheritance in the kingdom of God, both in time and in eternity. It has a very serious and far reaching effect." (Joseph F. Smith, CR, October 1899, p. 42.)