Capitalism, Socialism, the Plan of Salvation, and Satan's plan

My apologies for not writing in a long while. I'm a slacker, as you all now know.

I started reading the first of Chris Stewart’s “The Great and Terrible” series of books, and a thought came to my mind that I felt compelled to share: I think capitalism is the economic equivalent of the Plan of Salvation and socialism / communism / collectivism / Marxism / Obamaism / “spread the wealth around” is the economic equivalent of Satan’s plan. I’m serious too.

The key difference between the Plan of Salvation and Satan’s plan was agency. Under the Plan of Salvation, we would all be free to do as we choose. Some of us would make good choices and succeed, others would make poor choices and fail. That was a necessary and important piece of the plan, a critical key to our progress. And it happens to be exactly the way free-market capitalism works.

The opposite of that is Satan’s plan, where we would be deprived of our agency, forced to do what is “right,” having no opportunity to learn or grow on our own. That’s the way socialism works: no agency, no chance to fail (or succeed), “spread the wealth around” until we’re all equal and no one is better off or worse off than anyone else, regardless of the personal decisions of the individuals.

Free-market capitalism appears cruel and harsh to it’s detractors and opponents, just like the Plan of Salvation must have seemed cruel and harsh to the third of our spirit siblings who chose Satan’s plan. That plan and communism offer the appearance of comfort and security: “don’t worry, no one will be left behind” and “we’ll save everyone.” The problem is that it’s a lie, and a damning one at that.

I could probably dig up some quotes by Church leaders if I thought it was necessary, but I think anyone who understands the Gospel will recognize the principles of the Gospel contained in free-market capitalism, and anyone who would deny it wouldn’t likely be persuaded by a few quotes from Church leaders, so I won’t bother.