There had been an idea among the adherents to the Order that they were
fulfilling a Church commandment. They were disabused by Apostle Erastus
Snow, who suggested that each occupation be taken up by small companies,
each to run a different department. There was conference with the First
Presidency, but the Church declined responsibility sought to be thrown
upon it. So there were many defections, though for years thereafter there
was incorporation, to hold the mills and machinery, lands and livestock.
The United Order by no means was general. It was limited to certain
localities and certain settlements, each of which tried to work out its
own problems in its own way, entirely without connection with any other
community of the sort. In a few instances the plan proved successful, but
usually only where there was some directing leader of integrity and
business acumen, such as at Brigham City.
[Illustration: FOUNDERS OF THE COLORADO FERRIES
1--John L. Blythe 2--Harrison Pearce
3--Daniel Bonell 4--Anson Call]
[Illustration: Crossing the Colorado River at Scanlon's Ferry]
The United Order principle was used, with varying degrees of relative
success, in a number of northern Arizona settlements, especially in the
early camps on the lower Little Colorado, as noted elsewhere.
The Jones party, that founded Lehi, was organized for traveling and
working under the United Order, drawing from a common storehouse, but
each family, nevertheless, looked out for its own interest. The United
Order lasted until the end of Jones' control of the colony.
An attempt was made in the early part of 1880 at Mesa, to organize, under
the laws of Arizona, to carry out the principles of the United Order as
far as practicable. A corporation was formed, "The Mesa Union," by
President Alex. F. Macdonald, Geo. C. Dana, Timothy Mets, Hyrum Smith
Phelps and Chas. H. Mallory. About the only thing done by this
organization was to purchase some land, but this land later was taken by
members of the Church.