The ideal Christian community is neither dependent nor independent; it is interdependent. It is built and perfected by self-reliant individuals who voluntarily give their time, energy, knowledge, talents, and material blessings to lift and bless others.
It is one in which “they [have] all things common among them; therefore there [are] not rich and poor, bond and free, but they [are] all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift” (4 Nephi 1: 3).
It is comprised of individuals who heed Jacob’s exhortation to “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you” (Jacob 2: 17).
We weren’t placed on this earth and told, “You’re on your own.” We’ve been given specific and repeated counsel to seek the interest of our neighbor (see Doctrine & Covenants 82: 19) in all our affairs. We’re all in this test together — and at the heart of our mortal test is whether or not we will lose our lives in the service of others.
The principle of voluntarism is a critical component of this ideal. Too often, Christian service is politicized and corrupted by instituting it through forceful means and venues, particularly government. Forced taxation in the name of helping the poor — in other words, socialism — is not Christ-like charity; it is Luciferic deception.
Contrary to naive and misguided belief, the United Order and socialism are precise opposites in principle and application. As Marion G. Romney explained,
“The United Order is implemented by the voluntary free-will actions of men, evidenced by a consecration of all their property to the Church of God…On the other hand, socialism is implemented by external force, the power of the state…in both implementation and ownership and management of property, the United Order preserves to men their God-given agency, while socialism deprives them of it.
“The United Order exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process both are sanctified. The poor, released from the bondage and humiliating limitations of poverty, are enabled as free men to rise to their full potential, both temporally and spiritually. The rich, by consecration and by imparting of their surplus for the benefit of the poor, not by constraint but willingly as an act of free will, evidence that charity for their fellowmen characterized by Mormon as ‘the pure love of Christ.’” [Emphases added.]
While we currently do not live a formal, institutionalized version of the United Order, the law of consecration is still in full force, as evidenced by temple covenants.
The beauty of consecration is that it eliminates both selfishness in the rich and idleness in the poor. While forced welfare tends toward mediocrity, voluntary consecration tends toward excellence. Consecration is not intended to subsidize indolence, but rather to promote productivity.
“Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.” -Doctrine & Covenants 42: 42
True charity generates humility in the giver and self-reliance in the receiver. Forced philanthropy generates resentment in the giver and dependence in the receiver.
“Many programs have been set up by well-meaning individuals to aid those who are in need. However, many of these programs are designed with the shortsighted objective of ‘helping people,’ as opposed to ‘helping people help themselves.’ Our efforts must always be directed toward making able-bodied people self-reliant.” -Marion G. Romney
In our charitable efforts, we are commanded specifically to deal mercifully with the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
“And remember in all things the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.” -Doctrine & Covenants 52: 40
“For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare…if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.” -Doctrine & Covenants 104: 12-18
Tithing is obviously one of the primary ways that members of the Church fulfill our duties to love our neighbors and to build the kingdom of God. As Gordon B. Hinckley pointed out, “There has been laid upon the Church a tremendous responsibility. Tithing is the source of income for the Church to carry forward its mandated activities. The need is always greater than the availability.”
However, tithing should never replace the face-to-face, hand-to-hand charity so poignantly and consistently exemplified by the Savior. As Neal A. Maxwell observed, “We so often depersonalize our assistance to others that we might be called ‘checkbook Christians.’ We pay our taxes and offerings and unintentionally move away from the personal acts of brotherhood.”
Charity isn’t only manifest by specific acts of service, such as taking dinner to a family dealing with illness, or helping an elderly couple with grocery shopping. Charity should permeate every act in every aspect of the lives of faithful Latter-Day Saints.
For example, we’re cautioned to be charitable in our economic transactions. We’re taught to never take advantage of the vulnerable, the naive, the unsuspecting. As Dallin H. Oaks instructed,
“Christian standards should also apply to those who earn a living by selling or advertising products in the marketplace. The marketplace for products and services has many potential buyers who are vulnerable because they are poorly informed or excessively trusting…Can a seller ever justify obtaining personal profit by persuading someone to assume a financial burden he cannot wisely bear in order to acquire something he does not really need?”
Can we, in good conscience, do our home or visiting teaching one day, then take advantage of a naive buyer in the marketplace the next? Can we rationalize unfair business practices by paying tithing?
Clearly, loving our neighbor as ourselves means to both serve outside of economic exchanges, as well as to be honest, thoughtful, and charitable in all our business dealings.
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