What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Inequality? Series
The Book of Mormon contains some surprising insights concerning economic inequality. This series explores several topics addressed by the LDS scripture and its insights for today.Table of Contents
Understanding Inequality in the Book of Mormon
Before we begin our discussion about the inequality content of the Book of Mormon, I believe it would be beneficial to introduce some differences between how the book describes social problems and how we do today. This post will focus on the difference between using academic terms to describe inequality vs. using religious Book of Mormon terms, and also to point out that academic literature communicates information differently than scripture does.
Book of Mormon Inequality
First of all, it is important to emphasize that the Book of Mormon is a religious record. The characters in the book have no concept of a separation between religious and secular concepts, to them everything is religion, and the history recorded therein reflects this. Therefore, when social problems arise they are described in religious terms - including words like 'sin', 'wickedness', 'iniquity', 'abomination', etc.
Today, although inequality is a moral problem, we most often discuss economic inequality in academic terms, using very different terminology than the words used in religious discourse. For this reason, it can be very easy to overlook the economic commentary in the Book of Mormon.
In the history portion of the Book of Mormon, although the people are frequently unequal, the word 'inequality' is seldom used, and not usually in the same connotation that is commonly used today. Instead, other words are used - like 'wickedness', 'pride', 'persecutions', and 'crime', but when you look at the context what is really being referred to is inequality.
The most common word which describes wickedness in the context of inequality is 'iniquity'.
The Book of Mormon uses the word 'iniquity' 213 times. Of all the terms used to describe wickedness, 'iniquity' is the most commonly used.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes iniquity as a gross injustice, something that is unfair or evil, or the quality of being unfair or unequal. As an example, in Joseph Smith's day, when the Book of Mormon was translated, the word iniquity was often used to describe the institution of slavery in the U.S.
In the Book of Mormon, 'iniquity' is almost always used to describe social sin, often committed by entire societies. If it is used to describe an individual's actions they are actions which lead to large-scale problems - like robbing from the poor, and therefore worsening poverty and inequality.
As you will see in this series, the eventual consequence of iniquity is inequality between the rich and poor, the persecution of or withholding resources from the poor, stealing and robbing, strife, envy, malice, and any act that supports priestcrafts and secret combinations.
Later in this series we will look closely at each of the above problems as it is addressed in the historical narrative of the book.
Examples of Iniquity and Inequality in the Book of Mormon
Here are a few examples of how the words 'iniquity' and 'inequality' are used in the Book of Mormon. All italics area added.
Alma 4 - There is a great division between the rich and the poor. Rich members of the church become prideful because of their riches and begin to persecute the poor, and no longer share their resources:
11 .... and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked...3 Nephi 6, another example - The people become wealthy, and wealth begins to divide them:
12 And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
13 Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions...
14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up...
15 Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this - Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority and riches, and the vain things of the world.Mosiah 29 - King Mosiah has just reviewed the record of the Jaredite civilization, and their long history of selfish Kings; as well as the history of King Noah who heavily taxed his people in order to pay for his lavish palaces:
17 For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
18 Yea, remember king Noah, and his wickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage. ...
21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood. ...
31 For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been caused by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered upon the heads of their kings.
32 And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike...
As you can see, the Book of Mormon does point out inequality directly - but as I said it seldom does so (these three passages represent half of the usages of 'inequality' in the book).
Meaning is Not Always Explicit in the Scriptures
Rather than use the word 'inequality', most of the passages that we will look at in this series will either point out the economic division between the rich and poor, and the concomitant persecution of the poor; or they will simply say that the people commit "iniquities", without offering details about about what these iniquities are.
As in many cases in scripture, it is up to the reader to know the context of the word based on previous usages. Today in academics, we are accustomed to the author's point being explicitly pointed out for us. The scriptures require a lot more work, and because of this they resist simplistic interpretations.
And yet, we need to come to some simple interpretations to have a conversation on the topic of inequality. And so, I will define iniquity as so:
Book of Mormon Iniquity: a form of wickedness, often economic in nature, which creates social inequities. This includes, but is not limited to, robbing, lying, withholding resources from the poor, persecutions, and priestcrafts. It is the most common sin addressed by prophets in the book, and the most serious risk to society and prosperity the Nephites face.
In Book of Mormon vs. Mainstream Christian Sin we will explore how the Book of Mormon differs from mainstream Christianity in addressing inequality, and other social wickedness.
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Inequality - Table of Contents
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