All things Common Among Them

I've been reading Legends, Traditions, and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians, by Elias Johnson. It has been a fascinating read so far, written by a Tuscarora man in 1881 about his tribe and from their perspective. I've particularly found his comparison to Catholic barbarism and that attributed to the Native Americans as enlightening. I recently also came across this passage:

"They knew nothing of the desire of gain, and therefore were not made selfish by the love of hoarding; and there was no temptation to steal, where they had everything in common, and their reverence for truth and fidelity to promises, may well put all the nations of christendom to shame." p.11

The current culture of America is based on possession, on having and getting things. More. Fancier. Bigger. Better. And this has toxic results. It leads to covetousness, jealousy, greed, pride, and inequality.

As the author points out, this is not the way true Christian ought to live. This does put us to shame because the principles Christ taught support this characteristic of the natives rather than our way of life. (Granted this is a generalization.)

Likewise, the Covenant of Christ describes a time of enlightenment when the people lived a similar principle as Elias Johnson describes among the Native American tribes:

And Jesus’ disciples began from then on to baptize and teach anyone who came to them. Those who were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost. Many of them saw and heard unspeakable things that aren’t lawful to be written. They taught and ministered to each other; and they had all things common among them, everyone dealing fairly with each other. And they did everything just as Jesus had commanded them. Those who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the congregation of Christ. 3 Nephi 12, paragraph 3
and again here:

The 34th year came to an end and the 35th year as well, and Jesus’ disciples had formed a congregation of Christ in every surrounding land. Those who came to them and truly repented of their sins were baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Ghost. In the 36th year, the people were all converted to the Lord throughout the land, both Nephites and Lamanites. There were no conflicts or disputes among them. Everyone dealt fairly and honestly with each other. They had all things in common, so there weren’t any rich or poor people, enslaved or free people, but they were all given their freedom and allowed to share in the heavenly gift. 4 Nephi 1, paragraph 1

The scriptures tell us Enoch's city of Zion dwelt likewise:

And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them, but the Lord came and dwelt with His people and they dwelt in righteousness. And the fear of the Lord was upon all nations, so great was the glory of the Lord which was upon His people. And the Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish. And the Lord called His people Zion because they were of one heart, and of one mind, and dwelt in righteousness, and there were no poor among them. And Enoch continued his preaching in righteousness unto the people of God. And it came to pass in his days that he built a city that was called the City of Holiness, even Zion. Genesis 4, paragraph 14

It appears to be a way of living that must be reclaimed for Zion to return to earth again.

This way, I believe, stands apart from socialism and communism (which come by force and make slaves of men) because it relies on having a pure heart and willingness to take into account the welfare of others as we would for ourselves.

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