As a socialist and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), I read the article “Socialists in the Kingdom of God” by Gus Breslauer with great interest.

The article is very astute in its assessment of the LDS Church’s early history and in observing that its egalitarianism rivaled anything accomplished through political ideology during that era or since. Sadly, however, like so many historians and observers, he draws the conclusion that the conservatism of leaders such as Ezra Taft Benson signifies a shift in the Church’s doctrines away from the spiritual foundations of the pioneer era and toward the enshrining of private property and capitalism. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.