The Davis County Cooperative Society (DCCS) is a socio-economic cooperative based on the belief in God, Country, Stewardship, Cooperation, Self-Sufficiency and Hard work. It was founded in 1935, during the heart of the Great Depression where its founders sought to establish the long looked-for ideal condition known as the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have others do unto you).
The Davis County Cooperative Society was founded on January 1st, 1935 in Bountiful, Utah by C. Elden Kingston and was incorporated with the State of Utah in 1941.
Members at times use "the Order" as a term of endearment to refer to a belief in the Cooperative idea of a United Order.
Unfortunately, many media sources, including news outlets, either explicitly or implicitly promote tactics that further suppress and isolate plural families. One common tactic furthers bias by labeling. When a news outlet runs a story about an individual charged with a crime, the headline may often read "Utahn charged with a crime." When the same outlet runs a story about someone from a plural community, the headline often reads "Polygamist charged with a crime" as though plural individuals are not Utahns, or citizens for that matter. This labeling occurs even when reported crimes are unrelated to the plural lifestyle.
There is a wealth of data showing that labeling individuals does one of two things, it either encourages individuals to live more consistent with their labeling, or it alienates them; further excluding and isolating them from society. Data also shows, at least for urban and sub-urban populations, that crimes often stereotyped onto plural communities are no more prevalent in plural communities than they are in traditional monogamous families. In many cases they are less prevalent.
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Yes! Many powerful CEOs and board members in the DCCS are women. Both men and women graduate High School at a rate above the state and national average. At the Associates level in college, 1/3 of all women in the Co-op have college degrees. Many women continue on and have achieved Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees and are very skilled in their professions.
Our culture is also very family-centric. Although women in the DCCS have achieved very high levels of performance academically and professionally, we remind all family members to support their wives, sisters and mothers as we raise the next generation of families. The strength of our families is our future.
They didn’t split from the Wooley group. John Wooley, Lorin Woolley, Leslie Broadbent and the individuals known as the Council of Friends were specifically instructed not to organize a group. Although there was a loose association of individuals during this time period (1920s and 1930s), there was not a Woolley group to split from in 1935.
Charles W. Kingston and DCCS founder C. Elden Kingston were acquainted with a number of individuals in the early “Fundamentalist” movement and counted many of them as dear friends. However, they had not joined any group between the time they left or were ex-communicated from the LDS church and the founding of the Co-op.
No, the DCCS was inspired by a belief in God, but was created as a place where all people could come and work together as brothers and sisters regardless of their belief or background.
In 1974, many DCCS members expressed the desire to create a church in order to teach the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They did so by incorporating the Latter Day Church of Christ (LDCC) in 1977 based on a belief in Jesus Christ and the restoration of His Gospel in these Latter Days. Membership in the LDCC is not required to retain membership in the DCCS.
The Davis County Co-operative Society is a socio-economic Co-operative incorporated in the State of Utah and was established in 1935.
The Latter Day Church of Christ was established in 1977 and strives to adhere to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it was restored in these Latter Days.
No. The DCCS is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, mainstream LDS or Mormon Church. However, just as we have a right to exist and choose our course in life, we acknowledge their rights and each organization's right to do the same.
No. The DCCS was established separate from any specific religious denomination including the Mormon or Latter Day Saint movement, although many founding members had left or were excommunicated from the mainstream LDS church. Many DCCS founders and members count other "fundamentalists" as dear friends due to our shared heritage.
“We believe that all who choose to do so should have the opportunity to engage in productive enterprises suitable to their capacity and training, and likewise, to receive the benefits from the same.” DCCS Articles of Incorporation, August 23, 1941, Article 5A
Through encouragement and support of the DCCS, members today enjoy a high rate of high school and college graduation in the fields of their choice. These rates continue to surpass the graduation rates of the State of Utah and the United States.
No, many DCCS members are educated and work in the medical and nursing fields themselves. You may have received medical care from a DCCS member working as a doctor or nurse at local hospitals or clinics in your area.
Although not in all cases, some members seeking medical care have experienced discrimination and abuse at the hands of medical professionals who showed bias toward plural families. When these scenarios occur, it is quite traumatic for those experiencing them. These individuals often communicate their experience to friends and family, which may cause distrust for those individuals.
Through education and productive partnerships, we believe many of the barriers between members and medical professionals can be reduced for those in need of medical attention.
No. Members own businesses from a variety of industries and day-to-day interaction simply would not be possible. The DCCS instead issues guidelines and encourages business owners to conduct business in a fair and lawful manner through every facet of their activity. Individual owners, boards and executives have the autonomy to direct day-to-day operations for their businesses as they see fit.
"The private property of the members of [the DCCS] shall not be liable for the debts or operation of [the DCCS], and [the DCCS] shall not be liable for the personal debts of its members." (DCCS, Articles of Incorporation, 7A; 1941)
The DCCS has been speaking out publicly against fraud and abuse for decades. We re-affirm to our members that this type of behavior goes completely against our beliefs and principles and we cannot support anyone found to be engaged in this type of behavior. Any individual who is engaged in or becomes aware of any unlawful activity are encouraged to promptly correct any impropriety.
Without the typical support from law enforcement, our communities are often left more vulnerable to activists, con-men, or predators. When these bad actors abuse plural families, law abiding people from our community are victimized twice. First by the actual abuse, and a second time by the public as it rushes to re-enforce unfair and damaging stereotypes onto the whole community, making these practices even more frustrating and disappointing when it occurs among members
We encourage any individuals facing an abusive situation to seek help from an impartial source that is acting in the best interest of the victim or potential victim. We have diligently worked with State social services and the juvenile judicial system to create impartial relationships that are in the best interest of the people we serve.
We believe crimes of this nature are no more prevalent in plural families than the general population. Crime rates in the DCCS are significantly lower than surrounding populations in the State of Utah and the United States. Nevertheless, we believe when these crimes do occur, they should be pursued on their own merits without bias toward plural or non-plural families.
Absolutely not! This type of doctrine has NEVER been endorsed by the Davis County Cooperative Society (DCCS; Co-op) or Latter Day Church of Christ's (LDCC) leadership. It has been a long standing policy, that DCCS “members are self-sustaining by means of their own labors” if at all possible (DCCS, Articles of Incorporation, 5D; 1941)
DCCS members save or contribute more to the community per capita than the average citizen, and to "bleed" the government would be bleeding ourselves; this claim makes no sense.
The majority of members believe the U.S. Government and the Constitution to be inspired by God. We pride ourselves in the contribution we bring to the neighborhoods, cities, states and this great nation that we live in! Additionally, we fund our own private schools, saving the State of Utah over $13.1 Million dollars in FY 2020 alone, along with millions of dollars in taxes our members pay each year.
In 2005, the offices of Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard published ‘The Primer’ as a guideline for government agencies when dealing with individuals in the polygamous lifestyle living within the two states. The opening paragraph of the ‘Basic Guidelines’ section of the document reads “Every man, woman and child in polygamy who is seeking government help should be treated with dignity. However, each case should also be scrutinized to ensure the services are truly assisting the individuals in need.”
The Primer also contains a ‘Glossary’ section which introduces readers to the term “Bleeding the Beast” and clearly connects this term to fundamentalists who teach “…that ‘bleeding the beast’ will assist God in destroying the “evil” U.S. government and is considered a righteous endeavor.” The Primer goes on to connect this to the isolated communities based geographically on the Utah Arizona Border known as the FLDS. Fear of government and society as a whole had caused the FLDS to geographically segregate themselves from other communities for many years. This is NOT and has never been the case with the DCCS.
Starting in the late 1990s, many media outlets began using these as derogatory terms to attribute the negative acts of a small number of individuals and unfairly project them onto the entire DCCS population. The majority of our members are well integrated into society, highly educated and well-rounded individuals. To describe these high functioning individuals pejoratively as a ‘clan’ or a ‘cult’ is inaccurate and often used as derogatory slurs. Use of these terms shows bias against our community and serves to further isolate an already marginalized population.
Additionally, although some members believe in plural marriage, many adults in the Co-op are not in polygamous relationships, and the DCCS itself is centered around Cooperation, rather than polygamy.
No. The DCCS is not and has never been affiliated with the FLDS or Warren Jeffs.
Marriage is a lifelong personal decision and should not be coerced. An individual should be well informed to make a mature and thoughtful decision before entering into marriage. Marriages should also be conducted within the legal age of consent.
We believe marriage is a cornerstone of our social fabric and stable relationships bring stability to our society as a whole. We also believe personal relationships between consenting parties should not be regulated by the state so long as they are not coerced and are entered into by the free agency of both parties.
Some men and women in the Co-op have chosen to enter into lifelong relationships that include multiple women. The DCCS reaffirms their belief that relationships should be between consenting parties as a matter of personal choice and that both parties are free from coercion. Those obtaining licenses for marriage are encouraged to do so lawfully and within the guidelines given above. Plural marriages for individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted in the DCCS.
We believe that people of ALL races are God's creation. We believe regardless of their race or heritage, people have a right to take pride in their own heritage while maintaining a relationship of mutual respect for those who may be of a different race or culture.
The DCCS has not taken a stance on any claim of lineage by any one family, surname or group and reiterates to all members our foundational principle that all families can work in peace and harmony regardless of lineage or origin.
Early founders began the tradition of giving men “Numbers” as a unique and honorary title for them and their families in the community. These titles are generally reserved for men who have dedicated themselves to serving their community. They are typically held for life and go along with an expectation to live as an outstanding example of a high standard of moral conduct and service to others.
Being a “Numbered Man” does not give the individual additional authority or preference over the affairs of any other person, their businesses or any part of the operations of the DCCS. It does not designate any Priesthood or religious position, but is a designation within the Cooperative. Historically, men of different religions have been considered "Numbered Men" within the Co-op.
We do not look to some future calamity or “end of the world” as some may call it. Article 5A of our articles of incorporation states, in part, “We propose that the individual shall have every possible advantage and opportunity for community service, so as to merit and receive the loyalty, patronage and backing the community he is pledged to serve.”
We believe in supporting a stable, functioning and growing economy, with our members offering a financially tax positive population to the states which they reside and to the United States of America. We have been well integrated with our friends and neighbors in our communities for over 88 years and we look forward to success in serving them for many decades to come.
It is the purpose of the Davis County Cooperative Society to “establish peace, good-will and brotherly love between ALL men” (DCCS Articles of Incorporation, 5C). Additionally, our charter states the DCCS' purpose “to abolish war and bloodshed of all kinds. It is our absolute belief that Almighty God cannot, under any condition, be pleased with this type of action or with anyone engaged in the same; and that with the exception of unavoidable self-defense, it is better for the individual concerned to be killed rather than to kill."
The DCCS has not taken a position on the White Horse Prophecy.
Members strive to work in harmony and cooperation with one another and to extend help to all those who are in need whenever possible. However, members do not have free access to one another's finances.
We enjoy our free agency and are strongly encouraged to be educated and become skilled in the industry of our choice or inclination. Equal opportunity to choose often leads to different skill sets and financial outcomes. Members are encouraged to be frugal and productive, giving to the poor and saving for the future when possible, but ultimately this is a personal choice of the individual.
We believe that each person should be provided for according to their needs. For decades, the DCCS has been actively engaged in solutions for those experiencing poverty. By our latest survey there is no homelessness among our members. If any members are experiencing material or financial need or poverty, please contact us. There are resources available and we're happy to help.
Not typically. Employers who are DCCS members compensate their employees in compliance with all applicable laws and standards along with the necessary taxes withheld for all employees. Compensation is typically paid by check, direct deposit, 401k, Healthcare benefits or by other means requested by the employee if within all legal guidelines. Members who are extending credit, employee discounts or other similar benefits packages to their employees are encouraged to do so in compliance with all the applicable laws for their place of business.
Members who are business owners may from time to time extend credit to other members or to non-members within the regular course of business. However, this is separate from any banking function.
The DCCS maintains member accounts for record keeping and as a means for internal exchange. Members receive monthly statements of amounts due toward internal debtors and creditors.
Minors who setup internal credit accounts are typically required to have an adult co-signer who ultimately carries the responsibility of the account until the account holder reaches the age of majority.
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