SOCIALISTS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD: Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is widely understood to be a right-wing force in US politics. But just over 100 years ago, Mormons were at the center of a religious socialist renaissance in Utah.

The article focuses on the historical involvement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in religious socialism during the 19th century, contrasting it with the church's current right-wing political stance in the U.S. Topics include the early Mormon community's egalitarian practices under Joseph Smith, their struggles with external threats, and their cooperative efforts to establish a self-reliant economy in Utah.