Brigham Young's United Order: A Religious and Economic Experiment in 19th-Century Utah

Brigham Young's United Order was a religious and economic experiment that took place in Utah Territory during the second half of the 19th century. Founded by Mormon prophet and leader Brigham Young, the United Order sought to create a communal society based on principles of cooperation, equality, and the sharing of resources.

The United Order was implemented in a number of Utah communities, with varying degrees of success. While some communities thrived under the Order, others struggled to overcome challenges such as economic inequality, bureaucratic inefficiency, and resistance from individualistic members.

Brigham Young's United Order : A Contextual Interpretation, Volume 1, Main Presentation

by John T. Jost

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2626 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	589 pages
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Despite its eventual failure, the United Order left a lasting legacy in Utah and beyond. It provided a unique example of a large-scale communal society and influenced the development of Mormon cooperative economic practices that continue to this day.

Brigham Young and the United Order

Brigham Young was born in 1801 in Vermont. He joined the Mormon Church in 1832 and quickly became one of its most prominent leaders. In 1847, he led a group of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley, where he established the colony of Salt Lake City.

Young believed that the Mormon Church should play a central role in the economic and social life of Utah Territory. He saw the United Order as a way to create a more just and equitable society, based on the principles of cooperation and the sharing of resources.

In 1851, Young issued a "Proclamation on the United Order," which called on all members of the Mormon Church to participate in the Order. He envisioned a society in which all property was held in common and all members worked together to provide for the needs of the community.

Implementation of the United Order

The United Order was implemented in a number of Utah communities, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo. Each community established its own "Order" organization, which was responsible for managing the communal property and distributing resources to members.

Members of the United Order were expected to contribute all of their property and labor to the Order. In return, they received a share of the community's resources, based on their needs and contributions.

The United Order also established a number of businesses and industries, including farms, mills, factories, and stores. These businesses were owned and operated by the Order, and the profits were used to benefit the entire community.

Challenges and Controversies

The United Order faced a number of challenges and controversies during its implementation. One major challenge was economic inequality. While some members of the Order prospered, others found themselves struggling to make ends meet.

Another challenge was bureaucratic inefficiency. The Order's centralized management system proved to be slow and cumbersome, and it was often difficult for members to get the resources they needed.

Perhaps the most significant challenge to the United Order was resistance from individualistic members. Many Mormons were reluctant to give up their property and independence, and they chafed under the Order's strict rules and regulations.

Failure and Legacy

In 1862, the United Order was officially disbanded by Brigham Young. The Order had failed to achieve its goals of creating a more just and equitable society, and it had become a source of division within the Mormon community.

Despite its failure, the United Order left a lasting legacy in Utah. It provided a unique example of a large-scale communal society, and it influenced the development of Mormon cooperative economic practices that continue to this day.

The United Order also helped to shape the political and economic development of Utah Territory. It contributed to the growth of the Mormon Church's economic power, and it helped to establish a strong tradition of cooperation and community among Utah's Mormon population.

Brigham Young's United Order was a bold and ambitious experiment in communal living. While it ultimately failed to achieve its goals, it left a lasting legacy in Utah and beyond. The United Order provided a unique example of a large-scale communal society, and it influenced the development of Mormon cooperative economic practices that continue to this day.

Image Descriptions

• **Image 1:** A photograph of Brigham Young, the founder of the United Order.
• **Image 2:** A map of Utah Territory, showing the location of the communities where the United Order was implemented.
• **Image 3:** A photograph of a group of Mormon pioneers working together on a farm, under the United Order system.

Brigham Young's United Order : A Contextual Interpretation, Volume 1, Main Presentation

by John T. Jost

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2626 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	589 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE