It greatly disturbs me when a politician (like Obama or Tom Udall) talk about “sharing the wealth.” I don’t believe that it is government’s place to take money from the wealthy and redistribute to the poor. While, there are some exceptions most people with great wealth worked very hard to get it. I am certain that I could be making more money than I am currently if I chose a profession that paid better. I could do it if I wanted to work that hard. I choose not to. I would rather be happy than rich, and that’s why I’m not rich. I am also very sure that many (not all) of the impoverished in this country could better their situation if they set their minds to it. Government’s role should be to aid those in need to help them rise out of their position, not to take from the rich to support their poor in their current position.

I heard a gentleman on the radio this week talking about the social responsibility we all have to share our wealth. He believes that knowledge belongs to society as a whole and since wealth comes from knowledge, if you use any knowledge that isn’t original you should give your earnings back to society. He did, however, refuse to send a caller a free copy of his book since the knowledge belonged to society.

The question needs to be asked, “should I be disturbed?” Helping out others and sharing your goods are compatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Mormon after the arrival of Jesus Christ the inhabitants of America we read that “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 In the early days of the restored church they established the United Order and were given the commandment that “if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the blaw of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment.”Doctrine and Covenants 104:18 So, if it is the Lord’s plan for us to share all equally according to our need, why am I opposed to “socialism.”

I feel like there is a big difference from government run socialism and “socialism” run by the Lord. First, the Lord knows what he is doing. Second, all participants in the United Order were there by choice. Nobody was forced to participate, the vote was unanimous. Third, the participants were united by a faith in Jesus Christ and had a strong testimony that the administrators of their funds were inspired and would not misuse their funds. Lastly, there were no, zero, nada, zip, nil administration costs. I will give of my excess voluntarily to those that need it through organizations I can trust in and rely on to deliver the funds to those truly in need.