Alma 31

In our society today there seems to be a great deal of disputation regarding the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism compared to socialism. Socialism has a tendency to make economic benefits more equals while capitalism invites incentive and innovation but seems to create a greater divide between the poor and the rich.

The Lord's way seems to be a system of incentive and innovation with a "personal" responsibility (agency or choice) to care for the poor and needy. As I read of the Zoramites, they seemed like the prideful and selfish wealthy with no interest in charity of those in need for once a week they -

"...did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.
23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner." (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:22 - 23)

But what is interesting is that Alma observed that -

"...their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world.
28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish." (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:27 - 28)

And -

"...he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.
25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride." (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:24 - 25)



Basically, they were were focused on pride and materialism. I believe this is the concern many may have of those on "wall street" even though that may not necessarily be completely true.

What is even more revealing is the attitude of Alma concerning this people. He did not pray that the Lord would change their hearts but in turn looked inward praying -

"O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people." (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:31)

"Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people." (Book of Mormon | Alma 31:33)

What a great example of humility Alma was.