The ol philosohies of men mingling with consecration routine

Who loves the Matrix? I know I do, I remember when I watched the first film I rented a VHS copy from riverside market in P-Town and the tape went fubar right as the machines where on the verge of overtaking Neo. I was LIVID, it took me another week before I got to see the ending. In the 2nd act, Neo had a conversation with the Oracle that changed how I see the world, and she made one of the most poignant statements I have heard up to this point. "You've already made the choice Neo, now you are here to understand the it". Understanding choice as it seems, is one of the important principle learned in this thing we called life.

Now on to the meat....In a recent oped in the Salt Lake Tribune Mr. Troy Williams of KRCL radio in Salt Lake City wrote about the economic history of the ancient civilizations of the Book of Mormon. I am not writing to entertain a discussion about the validity of the book, I maintain that it is canonized scripture and is another testament of Jesus Christ and together with the Bible and other modern day revelations represent the complete Word of God. If you would like to know more about it please come to my house and I will promptly teach you and baptize you. (if you are in need of baptism by the correct authority). In the article Mr. Williams makes some interesting claims here is a quick synopsis.

• Mr Williams claims the civilizations were most righteous when they were practicing socialistic principles
• Mr Williams claims that because there were no poor during these instances "suggests a society invested in public infrastructure and welfare for the whole." they were obviously practicing socialism.
  
• Mr Williams suggests that "Early Mormon leaders advocated a United Order to redistribute wealth for the benefit of all Saints."
  

Wow Troy is some kind of anthropologists, I find it pretty incredible he was able to determine the socio-economic environment of these ancient American civilization. Which begs to question, why is the Salt Lake Tribune allowing this individual commentary upon a subject that he has little or no credentials to back up his claims. Unless ancient American socio-economic policies was his minor.

The Fact remains that Mr Williams, has absolutely no clue whether or not socialism was actually practiced. Further more he has very little evidence aside from some obscure passages that reflect the righteousness of the people rather than their economic environment. The fact is Mr. Williams doesn't know, and I don't pretend to know for that matter.

Now its easy to look at socialism and say, hey that's not a bad idea, lets share with everyone. I agree its a great idea, here is the problem, sharing isn't socialism. The problem I find is most people don't understand the actual differences between the three economic "isms". I find most of them haven't take a business or economics course or didn't pay close attention. Here are the fundamental differences

Communism: The government runs, and controls everything, very little personal freedom, all property and (here is the kicker) all of the MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Sounds peachy huh :)
Socialism: A milder form of communism personal property can be owned and controlled by individuals, but all of the (here it is again) MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Most services are provided by the government, there are private companies but they are generally heavily taxed and regulated, each socialist country has their own spin.
Capitalism: Free market enterprise (pretty simple) There is no limit to what a person can own.

Mr Williams claims that the benevolent act of redistributing wealth is the answer to all of our problems just like the ancient societies of the Book of Mormon did. Except their is one problem, it never says "and it came to pass they all received equal assistance according to their need". First the Book of Mormon wasn't written to tell us what political party to join or what economic system is best. The Book or Mormon is designed to draw men closer to Christ, that is it. Nothing fancy, pure and simple, so when ever someone uses it to prove either side of the political argument I gotta put on the brakes, and say....keep your opinions to your self, you or I haven't any exact knowledge on the hows and whys. He makes an argument that some how LDS members who follow a conservative ideology are some how at odds with its teachings and are evil greedy capitalist money grubbers. (ok that's extreme but give me some artistic license for entertainment value). He uses several prominent members who are very wealthy as examples.

So let me sum this up with one simple question, is it better to choose or to be forced? I believe that question was asked at a very important meeting at a very important council in a place we all came from. "Here am I send me" I will make all of them come back, they will be obedient and none will be lost. Or, lets give them agency, let man choose their destiny and we will provide away for them to return home. Hopefully Mr Williams understands what all that means (if you're lost consult your local Mormon Missionary) I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't thought of it in those terms.

In essence socialism is less about helping the impoverished and more about control. There are reasons America is the most prosperous land that has ever existed. Its citizen's can exercise their own freedoms. If we allow more and more aspects of our lives to come under the control of a select few, then we have will be lead to communism by a flaxen cord.

If you wonder what modern day prophets have said on the matter here is a link to a talk given by Presiden Ezra Taft Benson about the evils of socialism and communism. He mentions an interesting conversation with Krustev the Russian President at the time. He said "we will feed you socialism a bit a time". During this time support of anything resembling communism was basically treason. Oh how times have changed. In fact the First Presidency at the time issued a warning that it was not the United Order discussed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Mr Williams doesn't understand what the differences are between the Law of Concentration and Socialism/Communism. It comes down to two factors, under the United Order (the Law of Consecration) a person still retains the ownership of their property and they CHOOSE to participate. Pretty cut and dry, it comes down to choice, forcing someone to participate is evil, allowing them the choice, well that's pure Christianity in my book.

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6162&x=51&y=8

"The Book or Mormon is the most correct book that has ever been written" because it teaches a man HOW to choose. And if the right choice is made there will be "no poor among them".


Couple of questions: How do we know that reason there was "no poor among them" is because the inhabitants were very industrious and all worked hard for their own pay?

If the United Order is socialism, then why does President Benson call socialism evil?

When will liberals finally get a clue? (j/k I know a few who have a clue they just haven't chosen to understand the clue)

Parting Shot: Most Book of Mormon historians (people who do it for a living not radio producers) maintain that the economic system of the ancient peoples of the Book or Mormon were very capitalistic in nature. I'll let you do the research Mr. Williams you need practice.