Casting Lots?

[LostSheep]

What does "casting lots" mean?

[Dravin]

Its a form of random selection, dice, pulling staws and the like.

[Dr T]

God's devine will! At least that's what I say when I flip a coin or do something like that

[Traveler]

What does "casting lots" mean?

Often in the scriptures is simply means to take a vote or having a discussion until all voting agree. It is the means by which a group comes to a common conclusion.

The Traveler

[Hemidakota]

The Greatest Story Ever Foretold

in Keith H. Pryor, Ensign, 1991, Dec.

... “And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised ... took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.” ... Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.”

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

in , Ensign, 1971, Apr.

...they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the..., and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36. And sitting down they ... And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. John 19:16–22 16. .

“Give Heed unto the Word of the Lord”

in L. Tom Perry, Ensign, 2000, June

... went up to Jerusalem, it says, “And we cast lots—who of us should go in unto the house of Laban. And it came to pass that the lot fell upon Laman” ( 1 Ne. 3...no more success than had the drawing of lots, or relying on chance. Here again is a great lesson

Jonah and the Second Chance

in Juan Uceda, Ensign, 2002, Sept.

... on board was the cause of the storm. The crew and passengers cast lots (see Bible Dictionary, “Lots, Casting of,” 726), and when it became clear that Jonah was the guilty one, the crew asked Jonah... replied, “Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so

That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled

in S. Dilworth Young, Ensign, 1974, May

... and Matt. 12:19 .) He would cast out devils and heal the sick. (See ...would part his raiment among them and cast lots for his garment. (See Ps. 22:... thou shalt see much of the world. It shall be thy lot to sit in council with thy brethren, and preside among

Spirituality

in Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, 1985, Nov.

... above their heads. Oblivious to that fact, they occupied themselves casting lots to divide the earthly property of the dying Son of God. (... reminds each of us that we should not be casting our lots for the things of the world while the things of eternity,

Making the Right Decisions

in L. Tom Perry, Ensign, 1979, Nov.

... me to note the process by which they made those decisions. First, the decision was to leave it to chance. And they cast lots, and the lot fell to Laman. He went to the house of Laban, and as he sat and talked with him, he said

Blessings Resulting from Reading the Book of Mormon

in L. Tom Perry, Ensign, 2005, Nov.

... the journey back to obtain the record. Upon arriving at Jerusalem, they cast lots to decide who would go to the house of Laban and ask for the brass plates. The lot fell to Laman. He approached Laban, “and behold, it came to

The Shepherd's Flock

in Curtis E. Ledbetter, Ensign, 1973, Apr.

... ( Mark 3:17 .) It was John who rebuked one who was casting out demons in Christ’s name and had to ... As the crowds jeered, the rulers scoffed, and the soldiers cast lots, the Pharisees in mockery shouted, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he be

Hugh Nibley and the Book of Mormon

in John W. Welch, Ensign, 1985, Apr.

... period and from Iran, were three tales which cast light upon Captain Moroni’s actions in Alma ... in the light of the Arabic use of arrows or pointers to cast lots and make decisions was preceded by his article, “The Liahona’s Cousins.” (See Since Cumorah,

[Hemidakota]

Practice and Procedure

Doctrine and Covenants, a Book of Answers (L. Hartshorn) The Law of Common Consent

Many early members of the Church felt that common consent meant they would be involved in making decisions and policies and in determining the course of the Church. In other words, some of them felt that the Church would follow the standard of parliamentary procedure. After all, many of the revelations and instructions concerning common consent described this procedure as the members' opportunity to consent or vote for all things in the Church (D&C 20:63, 65, 66; 26:2; 28:13; 102:19; 104:21, 72, 85; Official Declarations 1 and 2). These words generally summon the images of electioneering and all the trappings of politics. It was revealed that there is an "order" (D&C 28:13; 43:3-6), which common consent follows. Members' participation according to the order of the Lord's kingdom is clearly described by President J. Reuben Clark Jr., who said: "In the Church the nominating power rests in a group, the General Authorities, but the sustaining or electing power rests in the body of the Church, which under no circumstances nominates officers, the function of the Church body being solely to sustain or to elect. . . .

"The sole function of this constituent assembly today, is, as already stated, to accept or reject the General Authority or other officers proposed to them. This assembly may not propose others to be voted upon.

"Furthermore, the actual procedure for voting is normally by the uplifted hand of those present. No electioneering, no speech-making, no stating of objections, no proposing of candidates, no vocal demonstration of any kind is in order. Anyone seeking to do any of these things would not only be out of order as a matter of procedure, but would be likewise breaking the peace of the State by interrupting and disturbing a public assembly, would be subject to arrest as a disturber of the peace, and if necessary, would have to be so dealt with as a matter of public order. This assembly might be called the 'voting booth' of the Church. This will be clear to all our listeners."

It is clear that the principle of common consent distinctly defines the practice and procedures of participation within Church government. Limited to "the voice of the church" or members of the Church of Jesus Christ (D&C 38:34; 41:9; 51:4; 58:49; 102:9), practice of the law of common consent is a privilege given to every member of the Church in good standing. This privilege of voting is more an act of ratifying leadership callings and decisions rather than actually making those decisions. Such decisions are left to the Lord and his anointed servants. Because politicking is not part of the process of voting within the Church, members signify their approval of a proposed action by raising their right hand. The method of manifesting a vote was a little different in earlier times. For example, Peter and the original apostles "cast lots," and earlier procedures in the latter-day Church required members to cast their votes by standing rather than by raising their hands. Today, however, it is common practice to raise the right hand in approval or disapproval of proposed actions.

Some members are concerned whether it is appropriate for them to vote when visiting a ward or branch other than their own. Generally, members called to most Church positions are sustained by a vote of those belonging to the organization in which they will serve. For example, a stake president is sustained by his stake members, a bishop is sustained by his ward members, and an elders quorum president is sustained by those in the elders quorum rather than by the entire ward. Thus, the vote of members of a given organization (whether the entire Church, as at general conference, a deacons quorum, or members of a Beehive class) manifest their approval of the Lord's will concerning them and their governance.

[mikbone]

McConkie has a entry in Mormon Doctirine under the title "LOTS"

[Maya]

I read taht it was a common used thing in the old times to allow God decide.

In Jesus brothers Jameses gospel they throw lots on Mary. Who of the elders would take this parentless girl in their family. Josef, whos wife was dead got the dies 3 times and finally agreed. Mary alike many girls whos parents were dead was brought up in the Temple, but girls had to be lottet away, as they become to the fruital age.