Comparison of Communism vs. LDS United Order
(Generated by ChatGPT 2025)
- Latter-day Saint Economic Systems:
- United Order (Law of Consecration):
- Voluntary covenant to consecrate all time, talents, and property to the Church.
- Members deeded their property to the bishop, who returned a “stewardship” portion to manage.
- Surplus was redistributed for the poor and common welfare.
- Practiced in Kirtland, Missouri, Utah in the 1830s–1880s, though not universally successful.
- Zion’s Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI) & Other Co-ops:
- LDS-sponsored private enterprises to avoid dependence on non-Mormon merchants.
- Profits were shared, and community participation was encouraged.
- Operated within capitalist frameworks, not by state control.
- Communism: Core Features
- Abolishes private property: The state owns means of production.
- State control over economy, production, wages.
- Compulsory participation; dissent discouraged or punished.
- Class warfare leads to a classless society.
- Aims to eliminate religion as a tool of oppression (per Marx: “opiate of the masses”).
Conclusion:
The LDS United Order and ZCMI-style cooperatives were private, religious, and voluntary efforts to care for the poor and promote unity, not government-run economic systems. They share some surface similarities to communism (like redistribution), but differ radically in philosophy, methods, and outcomes.
- LDS economics are rooted in agency, stewardship, and religious purpose.
- Communism is based on material equality and compulsory control.
Key Differences
| Principle | LDS United Order / ZCMI | Communism |
| Voluntariness | Fully voluntary, covenant-based | Mandatory, imposed by revolution/state |
| Private Property | Stewardship model – property returned | Abolished; state ownership |
| Religious Foundation | Deeply spiritual and covenantal | Atheistic or anti-religious |
| Economic Control | Local bishops and private institutions | Centralized by government |
| Individual Incentive | Stewardship respected; surpluses shared | Often suppressed |
| Social Class View | Seeks unity and care, not class warfare | Based on class struggle |
| Spiritual Motivation | Charity, consecration, community of Zion | Material equality and revolution |
| Outcome in Practice | Mixed results; some collapse | Historically, state abuse, shortages |
Pretty good comparison. I like the emphasis on the ownership and controll of private property (via stewardships). This to me is a big key difference, and any system of consecration that does not implement this principle will be doomed to fail – because human reason and natural instinct alike will prevent the long term success of any system where there is an attempt to eliminate personal incentive (and rather have people serve the system, or in the system, without regard to their personal and just remuneration.