Understanding Mormon Economics in the 1800s: Were They Communists?

Did Mormons Practice Communism?

When discussing historical groups and their economic practices, it is essential to examine the evidence carefully. As far as historical records and scholarly analyses show, no members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the Mormon Church) were actual communists in the 1800s.

The label 'communist' is often reclaimed by members of the church as a way to assert their principles and traditions. However, titles and labels can be misleading, and it is crucial to understand the economic movements and practices in their historical context.

Theoretical Frameworks: Socialism vs. Communism

When discussing the economic practices of the early members of the church, it is necessary to differentiate between socialism and communism. Karl Marx, a prominent theorist of communist thought, did not identify the practices of the early Mormon church as communism. Instead, he referred to similar movements, such as those of Robert Owen, as socialist.

Marx did contrast socialism and communism, but the complexity of distinguishing various socialist groups and their practices makes it challenging to definitively label the early Mormon economic movements. Some socialist groups are more centralized, while others are more cooperative or communitarian in nature, leading to diverse interpretations.

Early Mormon Economic Practices

Early members of the Mormon church practiced the Law of Consecration and Stewardship and the United Order as part of their economic principles.

The Law of Consecration involved a model where church members would give their resources to the church and receive their needs as provided. This movement was short-lived and led to a more cooperative and capitalist system, such as the cooperative movement, including ZCMI (Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution).

The United Order was a voluntary system where members would pool their resources and share in the benefits and resources. While this movement had elements of socialism, it did not align with communist ideology.

Historical Analysis and Scholarly Insights

Leonard J. Arrington, a professional historian and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) historian, conducted extensive research on this topic. His major work on LDS economic history, which is out of print but still available online, provides a detailed analysis of these movements.

Arrington clearly distinguished the practices of the early Mormon church from communism. He noted that while there were elements of both socialism and capitalism in the cooperative movements, the voluntary nature of the United Order meant that it did not align with the forced communal labor of communism.

Resources and Further Reading

For those interested in learning more about the early Mormon economic practices, several resources are available:

Leonard J. Arrington's work: Although the book is out of print, it can be purchased from online retailers like Amazon. It provides a comprehensive overview of the economic principles and practices of the early Mormon church.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism: Articles on the Law of Consecration and Stewardship and the United Order can be read online, offering valuable insights into the economic practices of the early church.

Read the article here.

Conclusion

While the early Mormon church practiced economic systems that resembled socialist and communist principles, they did not align with the strict definitions of these ideologies. It is important to recognize the voluntary and cooperative nature of these movements, which differed significantly from the forced communal labor of communism. Further study and understanding of these economic movements is valuable for anyone interested in the history and principles of the early Mormon church.