Becoming One: Experimenting On the Law of Consecration in Real Life

At SonHaven, we believe part of our calling is to help prepare a people for the return of Jesus Christ. We do this in many ways—through healing, teaching, gathering, service—but all of it begins with listening. Our work is guided by inspiration and revelation. One of the clearest instructions we’ve received is to begin building consecrated communities, places where people live in unity, care for one another, and seek the Lord together.

For the past two years, we at SonHaven have been living this out in real time, trying to learn for ourselves what it means be “Zion” or “have all things in common,” and believe us, it has not been easy. But it has been rewarding. Four families joined together on one property and—through trial and error; ups and downs; comings and goings—have tried to understand what it truly means to live by Zion principles and embody the characteristics of Christ in our daily dealings with one another.

After a couple years of experimenting, we define consecration as the intentional offering of our lives—our time, energy, resources, and hearts—to God and to one another in the spirit of unity. It’s not just about giving things up; it’s about giving ourselves to something and Someone greater. To live a consecrated life is to live with purpose, humility, and deep love, seeking not our own, but what blesses the whole.

We are encouraged by our ancient ancestors who attempted to live in similar unity. Luke writes that “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul…[and] had all things common” (Acts 4:32). Mormon also described that the people of God “taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another” (3 Nephi 26:19 (LDS) | 3 Nephi 12:4 (RLDS)).

We’re by no means a perfect community. We like to think of it as a living experiment. We’re discovering firsthand what it means to be stewards of resources together, to share space with grace, to communicate with honesty, and to meet needs without measuring who gave what. We are learning that consecration is not about equal contribution, but about willing hearts and spiritual alignment. Some give more in one season, others in another. Some have more resources, others have more talents or skills. But all are asked to give with intention and love.

Living this way challenges us to confront pride, release the programing of ownership, entitlement, and fear and instead embrace the role of stewards. It calls us to communicate clearly, forgive often, and remain accountable to our personal growth and the needs of the group. There are days we get it right…and days we don’t. But through it all, we look to Christ as our model. His example teaches us to serve with joy, to sacrifice with love, and to see each other through the lens of eternal worth.

Consecration at SonHaven is not perfected in the least, but it is practiced. We are building something inside our hearts and minds through this experience, because we are committed to becoming like Him. Together, we are forging a path toward Zion, one relationship, one offering, one step of faith at a time. This is why the Lord called his people Zion, “because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Genesis 7:23 (JST) | Moses 7:18 (LDS)).

You don’t have to live like we do to work with SonHaven. But there is always an invitation to put the scriptures into practice and learn what it means to have all things in common. It may seem like a scary step, but the blessings and rewards far outweigh the risk, for we are seeking God and learning to walk with Him.

Want to know more? Reach out to us at SonHaven144@gmail.com or (816) 552-8202, or visit us at SonHaven.org to see our community building initiatives! We would love to share them with you and invite you to get involved!