Working Toward Zion: Principles of the United Order for the Modern World

by James W. Lucas, Warner P. Woodworth, Hugh Nibley (Foreword)

Saints both ancient and modern have found Enoch's Zion compelling - a society where there "were no poor among them." In Working Toward Zion, authors Lucas and Woodworth point the way for Latter-day Saints to apply the economic principles of the restored gospel to meet the challenges of societies distraught by economic and social turmoil - today and in the future - demonstrating how Latter-day Saints can combine stewardship, consecration, and entrepreneurship to generate righteous prosperity for all who seek Zion.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Mormonism, Lds, Religion, Politics

496 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book--Lucas and Woodworth explore the law of consecration and its economy, the united order, as well as the history of efforts to implement its principles inside and outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then, they show how businesses could be organized and managed now to implement the principles of the united order today.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Working Toward Zion is an excellent follow-up, with practical application of the concepts and principles championed by Hugh Nibley in Approaching Zion In parts one and two, the authors examine the principles of the united order as given to modern prophets by revelation, and the development of, and problems with, both capitalism and socialism from the time of the Industrial Revolution to today, with special focus on the revolutionary ideas of Adam Smith. While free markets are to be preferred to those based on state power, modern capitalism certainly is not ideal. “Joseph Smith, like Adam Smith, saw private economic activity as justified by its service to the prosperity of the entire community, not individual enrichment. In Nauvoo, Joseph denounced speculative ventures by the more prosperous in the community and taught them that the correct use of their wealth was to build up the poor and foster community-based enterprises.”

Part three addresses ways we can live by these principles today, in our modern world. Chapters are dedicated to working toward Zion 1) as individuals and families, 2) through local groups, 3) through international groups, and 4) through the Church. Each chapter gives clear examples and provides lists of projects and concepts that follow the principles of the united order and work well in our society. This is an excellent section, and after wading through the philosophy and history of the first section, the principles demonstrated and suggested in this section become clear and workable as gospel principles in a secular world. It is this section that I found most useful to my circumstances – as a stay-at-home mom who manages a small apartment complex and is active in church and community volunteer work.

Part four looks to the future. Strengths and weaknesses of models such as the Mondragon Cooperative are examined with the purpose of adapting these as a foundation for entire communities in the future. With modifications to suit local needs and cultural differences, worker-owned cooperatives may be a feasible foundation for future business models. Micro-loans to launch small-businesses, especially in third world countries are highly recommended – a formula suggested prior to, but highly resembling the the LDS Church’s Perpetual Education fund.

The authors emphasize that we are not to sit around and wait for the United Order to be given back to us all laid out in a perfect handbook. “Many of the most successful aspects of the Church, from Sunday School, Primary, and the Relief Society to the Church Welfare Program itself, started as local experiments” (p.355) Problems were worked out, ideas were shared, and a system that other local communities could profit by was propounded. Even today, different wards and branches across the world take the principles of Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society, and Welfare, and adapt the details, under inspired leadership, to their varying circumstances and local needs. Action can and should be taken by each of us, right now, to reach out and bless our families, neighborhoods, communities and the world.

Zion and the united order will not be created by cowering in the mountains or deserts waiting for Armageddon. Zion is now outbound, engaging every nook and corner of this world. Using wisdom and order, we Saints can work toward the prophets’ vision – the worldwide Zion, the united order, the holy city the ideal society, the perfect prescription, the brotherhood and sisterhood of all humankind. (p.343)

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book about the principles of consecration, including the United Order. The authors discuss (using lots of examples) ways in which we can incorporate these principles into our temporal and spiritual lives NOW. The only reason I didn't give the book five stars was because it is a bit dated (written before the Perpetual Education Fund was started, for instance). I would love to read an updated version. Highly recommended.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A review of the principles behind the United Order and how it might be implemented in our modern world. The book had many interesting concept and examples, but was also highly redundant.

The co-author Warner Woodworth was a professor of mine. I can still remember some of the debates and discussion we had. This book helped me better understand his perspective.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with enthusiasm after my first encounter with Nibley's Approaching Zion. Not great writing or production value. But I appreciate the attempt to think seriously about what it means to attempt to build Zion in the present fallen world.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

if I were forced to serve another mission, I would carry this book around. and maybe a Book of Mormon.

[Kirtis]

This is an interesting view of what the united orders were and how we can live a concecrated united order life in our day.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for everyone striving to follow Christ.

[Ethan Unklesbay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just read a whole text book.
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