The United Order: Communal Living and Economics in 19th-Century Utah
Explore the unique system of communal economics and social organization that shaped early Latter-day Saint settlements in the American West.
- The United Order was a 19th-century system of communal economics and living, largely practiced by Latter-day Saints in Utah.
- Its core principles involved consecrating property and labor for the common good, with goods distributed based on need.
- It aimed to foster self-sufficiency, eliminate poverty, and build a unified society in the challenging frontier.
- While most iterations were short-lived, its ideals significantly influenced cooperative efforts and community building.
The United Order was a system of economic and social organization practiced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Mormons) in 19th-century Utah. It was an ambitious attempt to create a more egalitarian society by pooling resources, labor, and property, distributing goods and services based on need, and fostering community-wide self-sufficiency. This structure was a practical application of specific religious principles regarding stewardship and consecration, designed to build a unified and prosperous society in the isolated American West.
How it Worked: Principles of Consecration and Stewardship
At its heart, the United Order operated on the principles of consecration and stewardship. Members were asked to consecrate – essentially donate – all their property, assets, and labor to the Order. This was not a permanent relinquishing of ownership in all cases; rather, the Church or local Order leadership would then deed back a portion of this property as a “stewardship” to each family. This stewardship, which might include land, tools, and livestock, was to be managed by the family for the common good. Any surplus generated beyond a family's reasonable needs was returned to the Order's central storehouse or treasury, contributing to the collective wealth and welfare of the community.
Economic Organization and Daily Life
Within an Order, communities organized their labor collectively. Individuals were often assigned roles based on their skills and community needs, whether in farming, crafts, education, or management. Goods produced and services rendered were then distributed from a common storehouse, ideally according to each family's size and necessities rather than strictly by their individual contributions. This system aimed to eliminate poverty, ensure everyone had basic provisions, and create a highly unified, self-sufficient economy, which was particularly vital for survival and growth in the challenging and isolated frontier environment of 19th-century Utah. Decisions were often made through local councils, blending spiritual guidance with practical economic management.
The United Order was a bold experiment in social and economic engineering, directly reflecting the religious and communal aspirations of 19th-century Latter-day Saints. It played a significant role in helping early Utah settlements survive and thrive by pooling scarce resources and labor, allowing communities to build infrastructure, establish industries, and support their members in a harsh environment. While most Orders were relatively short-lived, dissolving by the late 1880s due to practical difficulties, external economic pressures, and a desire for greater individual enterprise, its ideals influenced cooperative efforts and a strong sense of social welfare within the community for decades. It stands as a unique example of frontier development and community building based on shared religious and economic principles.
- Religious Foundation: Rooted in Latter-day Saint principles of consecration and stewardship.
- Resource Pooling: Members contributed property and labor to a common fund.
- Distribution by Need: Goods and services were shared from a central store, ideally based on family necessities.
- Self-Sufficiency: A primary goal was to make communities economically independent.
- Egalitarian Ideal: Sought to eliminate poverty and promote a sense of economic equality.
Sources
- Arrington, Leonard J. 'Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900.' University of Illinois Press, 2005.
- Walker, Ronald W., David J. Whittaker, and James B. Allen. 'Mormon History.' University of Illinois Press, 2001.
