[The lesser of two evils . . . is still evil]

Can anyone please help me find the full text of the First Presidency letter written to an under-secretary of the US Treasury, dated 30 SEP 1941?

I have seen an abbreviated version of it in the appendix of the re-published "The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil" (H. Verlan Anderson).

It is simply the most terrific letter I have yet read.

Thanks

[LDS Socialism]

Please do not confuse voluntary participation in the United Order, or any other voluntary plan, with socialism.

Church leaders apparently made the statements you quote, however, the Gospel has always emphasized the agency of the children of men.

No one is ever righteous in compelling another to participate in charity against their will, and, as such compulsion is a basic tenet of socialism and communism, it is, therefore, evil.

Redistributionist schemes by government have been criticized by President Benson, and socialism has been criticized by every President of the Church before he served in that same office.

The church has NEVER advocated compulsory redistribution of wealth.

The Lord has always encouraged those with means to share with their less fortunate neighbors.

OK, I believe there is are serious discrepancies in what LDS doctrine teaches and the political stance of the majority of members of the church. I understand that for the most part the church proclaims it does not get involved in politics, but I see serious conflicts in what is taught in the church compared to the dominant political ideology of the Mormon people.

For example: The Mormon doctrine called the "law of consecration" administered under the United Order is taught by the LDS church to be the higher law, and "tithing" is the lower law. Comparable to Old Testament vs. New Testament. The law of consecration basically explains that everyone must give all their money to be equally distributed throughout the society.

In 1875, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued a Proclamation on the Economy; here is an exert:

Shouldn't the fundamental idea of the members of the church be to work towards redistributing their wealth throughout society. I have read through other threads on this board and have found very scathing attacks against socialism.

In 1901 Utah had 100 socialists occupying political offices throughout Utah. In 1917 LDS apostle David O McKay stated in a conference that "It looks as if Russia will have a government 'by the people, of the people, and for the people." (April 7, 1917 Conference Report).

So basically I am confused as to why such a dramatic difference in official church doctrine and the ideology of right wing, ultra-conservative beliefs of the majority of the LDS members. I guess this can be transferred to the Christian right as a whole, but it seems more predominant here in Utah. Shouldn't a true Christian believe in universal health care, and true economic equality for all. Didn't Jesus teach that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it would be for a rich person to enter heaven, and the first thing Jesus told his apostles was to redistribute their wealth to the poor and serve them? I don't recall any conditions on these doctrines, like saying "The poor people are lazy, or people will take advantage of a system that provides equally to all."

"You would have classes established here, some very poor and some very rich. Now, the Lord is not going to have anything of that kind. There has to be an equality; and we have to observe these principles that are designed to give every one the privilege of gathering around him the comforts and conveniences of life.” Lorenzo Snow (Journal of Discourses 19:349)

"It is not given that one man should possess that which is above another" (Doctrine and Covenants 49:20).

"Appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs" (Doctrine and Covenants 51:3).

"That now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality" (2 Corinthians 8:14).

"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift" (4 Nephi 1:3).