Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism
Lesson No. Eighteen

Socialism is a Threat to Freedom

Introduction – At the request of the First Presidency Elder Marion G. Romney of the Twelve in April 1966 conference gave a sermon entitled “Socialism and the United Order Compared.”  He spoke specifically about the United Order but the same principles apply to the gospel generally.  The First Presidency's concern was the growing problem of socialism in the United States.

Socialism takes and is founded on force - Elder Romney defined socialism:  “Socialism, reduced to its simplest legal and practical expression, means the complete disregarding of the institution of private property by transforming it into public property and the division of the resultant income equally and indiscriminately among the entire population.”

“The [gospel] preserves to men their God given agency, while socialism deprives them of it…The spirit of socialism:  We’re going to take.  The spirit of the [gospel]:  We’re going to give….Socialism is founded, in theory and in practice, on force, the principle of the evil one.... Communism is indeed only socialism pursued by revolutionary means...."  Socialism is more government at the expense of individual agency and accountability.   

Socialists endeavor “to turn an existing state into a welfare state by permeating existing parties with socialistic ideas rather than at creating a definite socialistic party.  They appeal to the electorate not as revolutionaries but as constitutional reformers seeking a peaceful transformation of the system.”  He was speaking of the "New Deal" of the 1930s and the "Great Society" of the 1960s. He could just as well be speaking about the Obama administration's push for socialism.  Of great concern is that an avowed socialist received considerable support from many young Americans in the 2016 presidential election.   

The Book of Mormon warns against socialism - Freedom is threatened if those in government are "seeking for power" and to be "rulers over the people" (Alma 46:4-5). In the Book of Mormon those who supported such leaders "were called king-men, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land....Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people" (Alma 51:5).  

A king, in a broad generic sense, is any government official who seeks power over others. Like the in the Book of Mormon modern king-men who seek power over others are elitists full of haughtiness and pride. (See foot note a to Alma 51:8)  This is accurately describes many leaders and government officials of nations throughout the world who are increasingly socialistic.

Alma warned his people to "trust no man to be a king over you.”  Mosiah established a new constitution to eliminate the threat to freedom from kings or other rulers who sought for power over the people.  (See Mosiah 23:12-13; 29:16-24)

These who seek to destroy freedom also seek to destroy the Church of God.  Amlici, who desired to be king, "would deprive [the people] of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his intent to destroy the church of God" (Alma 2:4).  Amalickiah also desired to be king and sought "to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty…" (Alma 46:10).   

Socialistic and authoritarian leaders in the world today in one way or another oppose our Church.   

Socialism expands government and requires entrenched bureaucracies - One of the ways government expands is through bureaucracies.  A bureaucrat is an unelected official who has power and authority in a particular governmental function.  These bureaucrats become entrenched and difficult to remove.  Ostensibly, one of the aims of socialism is greater equality but in reality those who control a socialist government are intellectuals, elitists and/or bureaucrats who think know better than others.  They are authoritarians who are uncomfortable with government by the voice of the people.  They seek government positions to advance their ideas.  In our country today people with socialistic ideas do not usually identify themselves as socialist but rather as reformers seeking to improve society based on the philosophies of men. 

"In perhaps the best book ever written about American democracy, Alexis De Toqueville warned that if this nation was ever to succumb to despotism, it would not be the familiar variety of a ruthless dictator.  Rather, he warned of a steadily creeping 'soft despotism' where a large, sprawling and seemingly 'gentle' system of bureaucrats comes into existence to provide, in great detail, for every physical and social need, thus relieving the individual citizen of needing to think for themselves at all.

"As Toqueville puts it, such a system 'gladly works for (its citizens') happiness but wants to be the sole agent and judge of it.  It provides for their security, foresees and supplies their necessitates, facilitates their pleasures, manages their principle concerns, (and) directs their industry....Why should it not entirely relieve them from the trouble of thinking and all the cares of living" (Matthew S. Holland, Deseret News, Viewpoint, February 22, 2011, p. 61).

Individual rights and limited government are basic constitutional principles which are contrary to socialistic ideas.  The Bill of Rights constitute the first ten amendments to the Constitution.  These amendments were intended to limit government.  The Tenth Amendment specifically provides that powers not delegated to government are reserved to the people.

Socialism and the growth of government weakens the family - Elder Dallin H. Oaks at Chapman University quoted from an essay on the development of family law in America:

"The broad trend has been from a view of marriage as a social institution with binding claims of its own and with prescribed rules for men and women into a free association, easily entered and easily broken, with a focus on the needs of individuals.  However, the ironic result of so expanding the 'freedom to marry has been to enhance the authority and sway of government.

"As the American founders understood, marriage and the autonomous family were the true bulwarks of liberty, for they were the principal rivals to the state....And surely, as the American judiciary has deconstructed marriage and the family over the last 40 years, the result has been the growth of Government" (Preserving Religious Freedom, February 4, 2011).
         
The gospel is the solution - The First Presidency was concerned about the spread of socialism in 1966 when Elder Romney spoke.  The problem has become considerable worse since then.  There is increased effort to move responsibility from individuals and the family and give it to government.  People look to the government for their well being.  These programs require the government to take from some, which makes them resentful, and give to others which makes them dependent.  This is seductive as more people seem willing to exchange their freedom for what they believe is greater security.  This results in the loss of both freedom and security.

On the other hand, the gospel requires that we give freely of our time and resources to those in need.  This blesses those who receive and they are thankful.  Those who give are more blessed as they begin to live the doctrine of consecration and stewardship.    

A Prayer – I pray that individually, as families, and as a nation the Lord will increase our understanding of the threat of socialism and give us the faith and courage not to be seduced by its enticements; that we will be self-reliant and willing to be accountable; that we will follow the example of the Lord and have "charity which is the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47) towards those who stand in need.  In doing these things the Lord will make us truly free.