Where the "Almost Pure in Heart" Gave it a Try

In the Sevier County area  four other United Orders started; Glenwood, Salina, Monroe, and Joseph were communities that formed similar organizations and seemed to start off well.  Richfield  reported that all but seven families in the community joined.  William Ogden Jr.'s biographer records that initially there were some early successes in the Order which attracted new comers; but not all that joined had the necessary work ethic and soon there arose a spirit of contention and fault finding over the administration of the affairs of the Order.

The Order was administrated by a board of directors who sometimes were required to meet nightly to decide on issues such as permission to leave to visit sick relatives, change of work assignments, or requests for permission to have houses built, as William had done.  The record keeping which included reports of labor performed and distribution of goods fell woefully behind, to the point where it was impossible to determine where members were in their accounts.  Dissention and confusion grew worse and the “almost pure” of the people became noticeably less so. One night an unknown arsonist, thought to be a disgruntled member, set fire to the Order’s stacks of hay, a threshing machine, and other equipment completely destroying the lot.

People who had once known prosperity as members sought to withdraw and take their assets with them.  “I am leaving the Order," said one disgruntled board member, "because there is no order in it."  Before long Apostle Erastus Snow arrived and advised the saints to proceed with dis-incorporate and return to the former way of life. There were few that objected.

The task of shutting down and the distribution of the land and goods of the Order was a difficult one and took many months to accomplish.  William received back his original ten acres plus an additional ten more and also some flour, wheat, and other smaller items.  He indicated that he was always glad he followed the counsel of Church leaders to join with the Order, but he welcomed the change which allowed him to work out his own standard of living along with his brothers and father.

The Richfield United Order of Enoch lasted from August of 1874 to September 1877 and most all the other Orders in the Territory had very similar life spans.  Orderville Utah was somewhat of an exception from the others, operating rather successfully until about 1886.