So just what is a utopia?

Way back in 1516 Englands Sir Thomas More used the word to describe a mythical island with ideal economic and social conditions where everyone was educated, wise, and prosperous. In other words, an ideally perfect political and social society.

In the modern world, Peter Drucker used the word or concept to describe an ideal Christian society.

So, who was Peter Drucker? Many will remember this American management sage, consultant, and educator. He was born in Austria and grew up in a liberal, Lutheran family, later becoming one of the most astute observers of organizational and managerial effectiveness. It was Drucker The Economist magazine described as the king of the management gurus. He was a leader in his field, and he focused on the enormous social benefits that can be achieved by what he referred to as uncompensated, volunteer efforts aimed at helping others.

We were surprised to learn that it was also Peter Drucker who, after his thorough study of its inner workings, boldly declared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the only utopia that ever worked. Powerful, statement to be sure.

When interviewed by a Harvard-educated writer, Drucker was asked if it might be best to pencil out the word ever, to avoid stating his case too strongly. The founder of modern management took his pen and wrote ever back into the quote.

Drucker was fascinated with what he saw as the fruits of Mormonism in the multitude of effective service and educational activities successfully performed every day by hundreds of thousands of volunteers in the Church that some have described as a well-oiled machine.

With no paid clergy, its well known that the Mormons do carry out an amazingly rich variety of well-organized and effective educational and humanitarian service programs. This is true for people of all ages throughout the world. Studied simply as a functioning organization, Drucker could not get over the literally billions of dollars that would otherwise go to personnel and administrative costs now handled instead by dedicated volunteers who work daily in the trenches, so to speak.

Starting with six members led by Joseph Smith, Jr. in New York State in 1830, the Church continues to roll on with over 15 million members in 150 countries.

As converts, we are always amazed at the functioning of the priesthood leadership existent in the church to which we now belong. In our lifetime we have seen the amazing functioning of the many thousands of missionaries and volunteers, young and old, respond to acts of God, such as floods and tornados. We have witnessed immense projects in other countries such as the providing of fresh drinking water to people in remote villages, wheelchairs donated by the thousands, amazing educational opportunities made available to those less fortunate, and so much more.

Meanwhile, we always find it interesting to read and listen to others regarding their thoughts about our organization and beliefs -- such as Peter Drucker. We feel these various perspectives can help us make the effort to share especially the positive things about our various religious backgrounds. This, we feel is true -- knowing that so many dedicated churches and organizations do so much wonderful work in the world. It has been our joy to partner with several of these entities both in Africa and Polynesia, so we know whereof we speak.

Dean and Nancy Hoch are local public affairs representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. dean.nancy@gmail.com.

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The only utopia that ever worked - Idaho State Journal