A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**Purpose.** The united order recognizes that men have different
talents and therefore different aspirations which should be allowed
full and free unfolding. That is, the individual should be allowed to
exercise his inborn gifts. The united order further provides that the
members of a community share equally in the material returns of the
activities of the whole community. Since the wants of a community are
satisfied only by a variety of necessary labor, some yielding large,
others small, material gains, the united order provides that, if a man
work to the full of his ability, all the working days of his life, he
should have an equal share in the material gains of the community,
whatever his labor may be. Under this system there could be no
poverty; all would be amply supplied with the material necessities of
life. Those who, because of their greater talents or training, do the
greater work, will receive whatever is needed for the maintenance of
life; and they will attain, moreover, a greater growth and
satisfaction because of the greater work that they have performed.
Since the material wants of all will be amply supplied, there can be
no real reason why all should not share in the total results of the
labor of the community. The united order implies a closely organized
body of men and women working together for individual and for mutual
advancement. In theory, at least, it appears to be the best answer to
many of the great questions that trouble mankind.
**Historical.** The united order is not a new conception. It has been
known from the beginning of time. In the days of Enoch, the seventh
patriarch, the united order was practiced successfully. When the
Church was organized by Christ, the united order was practiced very
fully for some time, by many of the people. It is quite possible that
the order has been established and practiced successfully at other
times, but no record has come down to this age. Finally, in this
dispensation, the united order was revealed to the Prophet Joseph
Smith. The people, on several occasions, tried to practice it, and
wherever practiced correctly, it appeared to result in good; but
individual selfishness usually resulted in the abandonment of the
practice. It is a system of life requiring the fullest understanding
of the Gospel truth, and the greatest conception of man's place in the
universe. In its practice, men must overcome their selfishness, and
accept at their true values, the various rewards of life. Enoch and
his people acquired such high control over themselves that they were
able to practice the united order unselfishly, and at last were
translated from the earth without tasting death. It seems that the
united order is above the reach of the kind of men and women we now
are. Nevertheless, it is the system we approach, as we approach
perfection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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