The United Order

by Art Bulla

Thu, April 12, 2012

Otherwise known as the order of Enoch, is one of the Laws of the Celestial Kingdom, that inasmuch is the devil exercises dominion in the Earth through financial means, this is the Lord's method of combating the power of the devil over the people:

19 And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another. 3 Ne 26:19

3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift. 4 Ne 1:3

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Acts 2:44

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32

Inasmuch is the love of money is the root of all evil, saith the Lord, all wars can be traced back to this love of money, all robberies, most murders, and the thralldom currently that the people are in, because of a lack of knowledge, yea even the power of the devil, saith the Lord, in which my people are held in bondage in that system known as Babylon the Great, their bondage is as great as that of Pharaoh, and therefore it requires a "Deliverer out of Zion" as prophesied: 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (Rom 11:26)

The greatest-temporal and spiritual blessings which always come from faithfulness and concerted effort, never attended

individual exertion or enterprise. (TPJS, p. 183)

One of the most noticeable differences between Mormonism and other religions is the close relationship between the spiritual and the

temporal. Mormonism is not just another etherial, mystic or philosophical religious system--but rather a practical down-to-earth religion that ran

deal with dollars and rents, butter and beans, parcels of real estate, or heavenly kingdoms--because a religion that cannot help people temporally

has little power to help them spiritually. Mormonism embraces both practicality and spirituality.

In a doctrinal dissertation by Dean D. McBrien, it was noted that in 112 revelations to Joseph Smith, 88 dealt in part or wholly with

economic matters. This is not out of harmony with the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, for one verse in every six deals with the money

question. Out of the 29 parables of Christ, 16 of them mention the Christian and his money.

[6] The Lord also made it clear that "all things unto me are spiritual" (D. & C. 29:34); therefore, we must conclude that the United Order, the

raising of food and families, or the creation of worlds is centered within the spiritual realm of both God and man. This was explained by Brigham

Young, who, without a doubt, was one of the wisest practical-minded leaders who ever lived. He could preach a sermon describing an angel, and in

the same sermon, counsel his brethren on how to raise chickens or irrigate their farms. He said:

We cannot talk about spiritual things without connecting with them temporal things, neither can we talk about temporal things

without connecting spiritual things with them. They are inseparably connected. (J.D. 10:329)

Men of every class, from wild aborigines to the most sophisticated educators, have sought for better methods of economically and

politically regulating society. Billions of dollars, and as many lives, have been spent in the struggle to reach a fair and prosperous commonwealth.

Yet history is a continual record of wars, depressions, crime and injustice. Even with all the vast riches and technology, the nations of the world

today are in a worse financial and moral condition than ever before because of the inequality of wealth.

http://ogdenkraut.com/United Order.htm[3/6/2012 8:57:44 AM]

Men must first understand their purpose in life rather than seeking for the pleasure of wealth and luxury. Indeed, the reason for mortality

is a test to see if man will adopt God's laws in his temporal affairs.

[7] The scriptures direct men to look for a "holy City" and a "new nation", much superior to all others. God has not been unmindful, nor

negligent in directing men in how to achieve this society. In fact, he has revealed a preponderant number of laws, principles and ordinances for

achieving such a civilization.

In man's search for a Utopian society, where everyone had sufficient for their needs, many socialistic and cooperative efforts--under many

different names--have been attempted. Throughout the centuries, Only a few ever tasted success.

In the study of the economic doctrines of Mormonism there have been four basic programs designed to alleviate this age-old problem.

There have been tithing, cooperatives, United Orders, and Consecrations. Tithing called for a tenth to be donated from out of the annual increase of

their production. Cooperatives of various kinds attempted to bring some equalization through stocks, shareholding, and trading. An assortment of

rules and by-laws were adopted by many different United Orders in an attempt to make a fair distribution of wealth. Consecration was the most

difficult, for it required offering everything of a temporal nature, including the giving of a man's time, talents, possessions--even to the sacrificing

of his whole self.

The success of any of these systems could only be achieved by believing and understanding--

(1) that the earth and all thereon is the Lord's,

(2) that all men are the children of God,

(3) that every man is a free agent,

(4) that the responsibility of government should rest primarily with each individual.

[8] One of the main functions of the United Order is to utilize the abilities of everyone, including the weak, the poor and the unemployed. It is

a cooperative plan designed to improve the character and talents of all who enter into it. Its purpose is to improve each member financially,

socially, morally and spiritually. When it functions properly, there is an absence of crime, corruption and political schemers--neither are there any

poor nor rich. When a community has achieved these objectives, it can be called a "Zion".

The Revelations of Jesus Christ: http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?isbn=0-595-28287-3
"But we ask, does it remain for a people who never had faith enough to call down one scrap of revelation from heaven, and for all they have now are indebted to the faith of another people...does it remain for them to say how much God has spoken and how much He has not spoken?" Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Two 1834-37 Pg.60
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 Pg.365
When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet.
Our website: http://www.artbulla.com
"All men are liars who say they are of the true Church without the revelations of Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which is after the order of the Son of God." Joseph Smith; TPJS p. 376
"He that can mark the power of Omnipotence, inscribed upon the heavens, can also see God's own handwriting in the sacred volume: and he who reads it oftenest will like it best, and he who is acquainted with it, will know the hand wherever he can see it...." (T.P.J.S., p. 56)

· 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (New Testament | Galatians 1:10 - 12)