…I do feel to urge on those brethren who have the means and are in circumstances, to search out the mind and will of God in regard to these matters, and let us try to build up Zion. Zion is the pure in heart. Zion cannot be built up except on the principles of union […]
Co-ops are a Stepping Stone
As mentioned over on the Economic Unity category page, our church leaders during the mid-1800s saw cooperatives as a means to achieve that unity.
Stepping Stone to the United Order
These quotes shown below demonstrate the frequent use of the concept of cooperatives being “a stepping stone to the Order of Enoch”. When read in context, it’s easy to see they meant the widespread implementation of co-ops in the Utah Territory was intended to prepare the Saints to enter into the United Order. Sadly the United Orders were apparently rushed a tad. Within one or two years of being organized, the orders nearly all failed, with precious few exceptions.
Other Comments about Co-ops
Besides describing cooperatives as stepping stones, the Brethren also taught these ideas about them:
- Cooperation is desirable
- Co-ops are a blessing
- Co-ops help preserve the Saints from their enemies
- Co-ops prevent division into classes
- They help us become self-sustaining
- They bring prosperity
- They help us build Zion, and
- It was God’s will that the Saints “sustain cooperation”.
Quotes showing all these ideas are found in my book, “Champions for Zion“.
463. Co-ops are a stepping stone – George Q. Cannon quote, 1869
As a people we are expecting the day to come when Jesus will descend in the clouds of Heaven; but before this day comes we must be prepared to receive him. The organization of society that exists in the heavens must exist on the earth; the same condition of society, so far as it is […]
453. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – Wilford Woodruff quote, 1873
We must give our earnest support to cooperation, for it is a step in advance towards establishing the Order of Enoch and the building up of the Zion of God. (mic drop) – Wilford Woodruff, 10/8/1873
438. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – John Taylor quote, 1879
We will strive to be one; and if we cannot go so far as to sustain cooperation in regard to these things, how in the name of common sense are we ever going into the United Order? But we will begin with this, and then cooperate in all the different Stakes, not only in your […]
343. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – John Taylor quote, 1878
What was the principle of cooperation intended for? Simply as a stepping stone for the United Order, that is all, that we might be united and operate together in the interest of building up Zion. – John Taylor, 9/21/1878
453. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – Wilford Woodruff quote, 1873
We must give our earnest support to cooperation, for it is a step in advance towards establishing the Order of Enoch and the building up of the Zion of God – Wilford Woodruff, October 1873 General Conference
343. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – John Taylor Quote, 1878
What was the principle of cooperation intended for? Simply as a stepping stone for the United Order, that is all, that we might be united and operate together in the interest of building up Zion. – John Taylor, 9/21/1878
438. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – John Taylor quote, 1879
We will strive to be one; and if we cannot go so far as to sustain cooperation in regard to these things, how in the name of common sense are we ever going into the United Order? But we will begin with this, and then cooperate in all the different Stakes, not only in your […]
286. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone – Wilford Woodruff quote, 1873
We must give our earnest support to cooperation, for it is a step in advance towards establishing the Order of Enoch and the building up of the Zion of God – Wilford Woodruff, Oct 1873 General Conference
164. Co-ops are a Stepping Stone, Brigham Young quote, 1869
This cooperative movement is only a stepping stone to what is called the Order of Enoch, but which is in reality the Order of Heaven. – Brigham Young, 4/7/1869
#511 – Co-ops are a stepping stone – Lorenzo Snow – 1873
“I view cooperation, when properly understood and practiced, as being a steppingstone to the Order of Enoch, and will enable the Saints who receive it in a proper spirit, to gradually prepare themselves to enter, in due time, more fully into the practice of principles necessary to accomplish the building up of the kingdom of […]
#512 – Co-ops are a stepping stone – John Taylor – 1878
“Well, the time is passing, but before closing, I wish to say a word or two in regard to this cooperation in temporal things. They are very little things, but they form a kind of stepping stone towards other and more important events. A closer union which we shall expect to inaugurate by-and-by, but which […]
389. Co-ops are a stepping stone – Brigham Young – 1873
“Brethren, if you will start here and operate together in farming, in making cheese, in herding sheep and cattle and every other kind of work, and get a factory here and a cooperative store… and operate together in sheep raising, storekeeping, manufacturing and everything else, no matter what it is, by and by, when we […]