Gospel Welfare Principles: Zion vs. The Great and Spacious Building

[Deborah]

Here is the problem I see. Satan is very good at imitating something good but twisting it just enough to cause it to lead to harm and not good. The United Order was founded upon the Law of Consecration. To me the UO was more of the temporal version of the Law of Consecration, because consecration is so much more than just providing for the material needs of others. It involves time and talents and lifting others up not just providing for their physical needs.

I wonder if Joseph didn't found the UO as an attempt to try to teach the people the most basic steps of giving so that in doing so they would learn the higher law, much like the Law of Moses was preparatory to the fullness of the gospel. However, it seems to have backfired because people weren't truly ready in their hearts. I think in a true consecrated society we won't need a UO because everything will be freely given as the needs arise and everyone will be so in tune with the spirit they will see those needs, and it will not need to be done by the bishop.

Now, we know that Satan would have everyone follow him and what better way for any dictator to do that then to take care of everyone and make sure no one does without. That is what collectivist systems essentially promise. However, without righteous leaders and without the guidance of the spirit we see how abuses eventually occur, those who begin to dissent are eventually imprisoned and the division between the poor masses and elite leaders becomes more profound. This of course was never the intent of the UO, but eventually the abuses and discontent occurred. Fortunately because it was under a spiritual leader it did not end up in imprisoning its followers but rather dissolved to avoid further contention.

The Lord wants a people of one heart and mind who will love their neighbors to the point of not letting anyone suffer, who will share willingly all that they have and who will not have to abide by any external charters or rules to consecrate their lives to God and the church. Joseph said that he teaches the people correct principles and then the people govern themselves. This was the ultimate goal I believe of the UO, but I don't believe the UO was the ultimate goal of the Law of Consecration.

[Calm]

Now, we know that Satan would have everyone follow him and what better way for any dictator to do that then to take care of everyone and make sure no one does without.

And this approach would be very consistent with his approach given at the Plan of Salvation (even if one believes that he was intending not to force people to be good, but to remove the law completely so there was no sin and therefore no need for repentance, etc.)

This was the ultimate goal I believe of the UO, but I don't believe the UO was the ultimate goal of the Law of Consecration.

I would agree.

[Loran Howard Blood]

Now, we know that Satan would have everyone follow him and what better way for any dictator to do that then to take care of everyone and make sure no one does without.

Brilliant Deborah. How simple this point is, and yet how unfathomoably difficult to grasp it seems for some. It all comes back to the words of the Goblin King in Labarynth:

"Just let me rule you, and you can have anything you want."