Washington County (Utah). Probate Court United Order incorporation records, 1874-1878.

In an effort to reinforce self-sufficiency among Church members, Brigham Young organized a number of united orders in the 1870s. The united order was a community system in which members contributed their possessions and labor and received in return according to their needs. The first of these united orders was organized in Saint George in 1874 and in accordance with territorial law (Laws of Utah, 1870, "Providing for Incorporating Associations, for Mining, Manufacturing, Commercial and other Industrial Pursuits," p. 136-137), articles of incorporation were acknowledged before the probate court judge in Washington County. This United Order Book includes articles of association and other records for the United Order of Saint George, as well as two subsequently organized orders, the United Order of Washington, and Saint George First Ward United Order.

This United Order Book includes articles of association and other records for the United Order of Saint George, as well as twosubsequently organized orders, the United Order of Washington, and Saint George First Ward United Order. The incorporation articles state the purpose for which each united order was organized, outline the order's rights and privileges, authorize a board of ten directors as well as a president and other officers, and name shareholders. An appendage to the incorporation articles lists the real property contributed by each individual who joined the order. Following each set of articles, the United Order Book contains bonds and oaths of office for each of the directors and other officers as sworn before the probate court. The United Order Book contains copies of certificates of incorporation issued by the Washington County probate court judge affirming that all the terms of incorporation had been met.