The Book of Mormon is about Jesus, not Socialism

Seed Newsvine


Reference to:



The Salt Lake Tribune

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/51308137-82/mormon-book-poor-saints.html.csp


The case for Book of Mormon socialism

BY TROY WILLIAMS

First published Feb 26 2011 12:15AM

Updated Mar 1, 2011 03:23PM


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My Comment


While Williams’ general quotations from scripture are true, one must be careful in implying that the Book of Mormon is about socialism, because it is not about socialism. Just like the New Testament is not about socialism. Rather, both scriptures reflect on the principal of Christianity—love and equality on free-will-bases to achieve salvation.


Equality is one quality needed for salvation. Yes, Jesus did say that richesness was an obstacle to salvation (paraphrasing); but, neither Jesus nor Joseph Smith ever condemned wealth.


Also, Glen Beck and Mitt Romney are not the examples of LDS people, nor do they represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though that does not mean they are bad people, not at all. But to use Beck and Romney as an implication of the LDS church is wrong.


By example, Romney is not the ideal church member.  The fact is that “Staples” of which Romney is one of its founders—if I am correct, and continues to have a large stake on, forces its employees to work on Sunday. Sunday is the Lord’s day, no work to be done, except emergencies or unavoidable tasks. Staples is open seven days a week.


So wile Mitt may keep the Sabbath day holly, he deprives his subordinates to do likewise. It is his money and his free agency.  Moreover, anyone who heard Romney’s debate with Kennedy for the Senate in the 90s, can see that Romney is not the person to be used as an example of the LDS church.

Getting back to socialism and the Book of Mormon. It is wrong to associate the Book of Mormon or the New Testament or the LDS Church with socialism. For, scripture as well as the LDS Church focus on helping each person to help him or herself. That is not redistribution of one’s money. Even though in Peter’s time as well as in the early LDS Church the practice did exist, it was not by force.


Extra taxes on the rich or on a corporation as Troy Williams suggests, is forced equality. That is unchristian. Therefore using the Book of Mormon or the New Testament to force equality is misusing the sacred scriptures, that is what Constantine did. Jesus gave us the scriptures to promote freedom, so people could choose eternal life.

However, if by free will, the people choose to be equal, then the scriptures can be used for such encouragement. Other wise, it is sacrilegious to compare the Book of Mormon with socialism.