DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Sections 9899, 102, 106, 108, 134

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

The political motto of the Church

The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God, and good will to man. All good and wholesome laws, virtue and truth above all things, and aristarchy, live for ever! But woe to tyrants, mobs, aristocracy, anarchy, and toryism, and all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious law suits, under the pretext and color of law, or office, either religious or political. Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty. Joseph Smith, March 1838 (History of the Church 3:9)
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The elephant in the room

Must a person belong to a specific political party in order to be a faithful Latter-day Saint? Do all political parties have platforms that support the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Do all political parties have at platforms that are contrary to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
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Political differences
Now, there is much that we can and must do in these perilous times. We can give our opinions on the merits of the [political] situation as we see it, but never let us become a party to words or works of evil concerning our brothers and sisters in various nations on one side or the other. Political differences never justify hatred or ill will. I hope that the Lords people may be at peace one with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties. President Gordon B. Hinckley, April 2003

First principles
58:2122. Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
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Civil law
As members of the Church and kingdom of God, what are our obligations as members of society living under civil authority? 98:47; 101:7680. The Lord on civil law and the Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of its liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. Joseph Smith, March 1839 (History of the Church 3:304)

The law and freedom

98:810. Freedom and wise government.
How does the Lord make us free? Moses 7:32. How does the law make us free? D&C 134:6.

Just vs. unjust laws.

Obedience to unjust laws

The Gospel in its fulness places those who obey it, under its influences, while at the same time it does not relieve them from other obligations of a terrestrial nature. It is said in the Doctrine and Covenants, that he that keepeth the laws of God, hath no need to break the laws of the land. It is further explained in section 98, what is meant in relation to this. That all laws which are constitutional must be obeyed, as follows: [quotes D&C 98:47] That is taking this nation as an example, all laws that are proper and correct, and all obligations entered into which are not violative of the constitution should be kept inviolate. But if they are violative of the constitution, then the compact between the rulers and the ruled is broken and the obligation ceases to be binding. President John Taylor, February 1884 (Journal of Discourses 26:350)

Obedience to unjust laws

Because the laws of man, by and large, do not raise moral issues, we are taught to honor, sustain, and obey the law, and that he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. When a moral issue does arise, it is the responsibility of the leaders of the Church to speak out. Gambling, for instance, certainly is a moral issue. Life is a moral issue. When morality is involved, we have both the right and the obligation to raise a warning voice. Elder Boyd K. Packer, April 1992

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War
98:1316. The Lords law of war.
Just war. What kind of people make war? D&C 38:29; 45:69; 63:33; 76:2930. Offensive vs. defensive.

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Joseph Smith on self-defense

While we will be the last to oppress, we will be the last to be driven from our postpeace, be still; bury the hatchet and the swordthe sound of war is dreadful in my ear. [But] any man who will not fight for his wife and children is a coward and a bastard. January 1843 (Words of Joseph Smith 162) It may be that the Saints will have to beat their ploughs into swords, for it will not do for men to sit down patiently and see their children destroyed. May 1844 (HC 6:365) There is one principle which is eternal; it is the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of the household, whenever necessity requires, and no power has a right to forbid it, should the last extreme arrive. June 1844 (HC 6:605)
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Self-defense
134:11. All men are justified in defending themselves. What of military service?

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Killing and military service

Those in the armed services are under obligation to their respective governments to execute the will of the sovereign. When they joined the military service, they entered into a contract by which they are presently bound and to which they have dutifully responded. . I believe that God will not hold men and women in uniform responsible as agents of their government in carrying forward that which they are legally obligated to do. It may even be that He will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression. President Gordon B. Hinckley, April 2003
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Killing and military service

The responsibility for the loss of life and desolations poured out through warfare will rest upon those who foment and cause the wars. It is true that individual soldiers may be held accountable for needless, brutal killings. War as such is not an open door to unrestricted slaughter. But the soldier who is required to take life and spread desolation will be guiltless before the throne of the Just Judge, whether that single individual fought for or against the Lords purposes. Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 827

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The Lords law of war

98:2338. Renounce war.
98:23. Bear it patiently and revile not, neither seek revenge. 98:2831. When are we justified in retaliating? 98:3238. Applied to nations, ancient and modern.

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Modern prophets on war

For years it has been held that peace comes only by preparation for war; the present conflict [World War I] should prove that peace comes only by preparing for peace, through training the people in righteousness and justice, and selecting rulers who respect the righteous will of the people. . There is only one thing that can bring peace into the world. It is the adoption of the gospel of Jesus Christ, rightly understood, obeyed and practiced by rulers and people alike. It is being preached in spirit to all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples of the world, by the Latter-day Saints, and the day is not far distant when its message of salvation shall sink deep into the hearts of the common people, who, in sincerity and earnestness, when the time comes, will not only surely register their judgment against a false Christianity, but against war and the makers of war as crimes against the human race. President Joseph F. Smith, September 1914
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Modern prophets on war

The divine law on the taking of human life was proclaimed at Sinai and in the Garden. This law, we declare, is equally binding upon men and upon nations. It embraces war. We further declare that God is grieved by war and that He will hold subject to the eternal punishments of His will those who wage it unrighteously. . We condemn all wars foul broodavarice, greed, misery, want, disease, cruelty, hate, inhumanity, savagery, death. We earnestly implore all members of the Church to love their brethren and sisters, and all peoples whoever and wherever they are; to banish hate from their lives, to fill their hearts with charity, patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness. The First Presidency, October 1939
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Modern prophets on war

In the face of the tragic condition among mankind [World War II], honest thinking men and women ask how is it possible to reconcile the teachings of Jesus with the participation of the Church in armed conflict. War is basically selfish. Its roots feed in the soil of envy, hatred, desire for domination. Its fruit, therefore, is always bitter. They who cultivate and propagate it spread death and destruction, and are enemies of the human race. .

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Modern prophets on war

War impels you to hate your enemies. The Prince of Peace says, Love your enemies. War says, Curse them that curse you. The Prince of Peace says, Pray for them that curse you. War says, Injure and kill them that hate you. The Risen Lord says, Do good to them that hate you. Thus we see that war is incompatible with Christs teachings. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of peace. War is its antithesis, and produces hate. It is vain to attempt to reconcile war with true Christianity. .
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Modern prophets on war

There are, however, two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to entermind you, I say enter, not begin a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and, (2) Loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one. President David O. McKay, April 1942

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Modern prophets on war

The whole world is in the midst of a war that seems the worst of all time. This Church is a worldwide Church. Its devoted members are in both camps. They are the innocent war instrumentalities of their warring sovereignties. On each side they believe they are fighting for home, and country, and freedom. On each side, our brethren pray to the same God, in the same name, for victory. Both sides cannot be wholly right; perhaps neither is without wrong. God will work out in His own due time and in His own sovereign way the justice and right of the conflict, but He will not hold the innocent instrumentalities of the war, our brethren in arms, responsible for the conflict. This is a major crisis in the world-life of man. God is at the helm. .
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Modern prophets on war

To our young men who go into the service, no matter whom they serve or where, we say live clean, keep the commandments of the Lord, pray to Him constantly to preserve you in truth and righteousness, live as you pray, and then whatever betides you the Lord will be with you and nothing will happen to you that will not be to the honor and glory of God and to your salvation and exaltation. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., April 1942

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Modern prophets on war

Then as the crowning savagery of [World War II], we Americans wiped out hundreds of thousands of civilian population with the atom bomb in Japan, few if any of the ordinary civilians being any more responsible for the war than were we, and perhaps most of them no more aiding Japan in the war than we were aiding America. Military men are now saying that the atom bomb was a mistake. It was more than that: it was a world tragedy. And the worst of this atomic bomb tragedy is not that not only did the people of the United States not rise up in protest against this savagery, not only did it not shock us to read of this wholesale destruction of men, women, and children, and cripples, but that it actually drew from the nation at large a general approval of this fiendish butchery. . Thus we in America are now deliberately searching out and developing the most savage, murderous means of exterminating peoples that Satan can plant in our minds. We do it not only shamelessly, but with a boast. God will not forgive us for this. President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., October 1946
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Modern prophets on war

In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern, and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever hadin spite of these things, we are, on the whole, an idolatrous peoplea condition most repugnant to the Lord. We are a warlike people, easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and steelships, planes, missiles, fortificationsand depend on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we become antienemy instead of pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satans counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Saviors teaching:

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Modern prophets on war

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. . What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the Lord at his word and exercise a particle of faith in him? Our assignment is affirmative: to forsake the things of the world as ends in themselves; to leave off idolatry and press forward in faith; to carry the gospel to our enemies, that they might no longer be our enemies. President Spencer W. Kimball, June 1976

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Modern prophets on war

Because of the long history of hostility upon the earth, many feel that peace is beyond hope. I disagree. Peace is possible. We can learn to love our fellow human beings throughout the world. Whether they be Jewish, Islamic, or fellow Christians, whether Hindu, Buddhist, or other, we can live together with mutual admiration and respect, without forsaking our religious convictions. Things we have in common are greater than are our differences. Peace is a prime priority that pleads for our pursuit. Elder Russell M. Nelson, October 2002

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The Lords law of war

98:3948. How often should we forgive our enemies?

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Laws and governments

Section 134 (August 1835).
Declaration, not revelation.

134:1. Governments were instituted of God.

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Government ordained of God

Even the monopoly of the one-man-power as in Russia, or the monopoly of the aristocracy as in other parts of Europe, or the imbecility and sometimes stupidity of a republic like our own, is far better than no government at all. And for this reason, says the Apostle Paul, The powers are ordained of God, not that they are always the best forms of government for the people, or that they afford liberty and freedom to mankind, but that any and all forms of government are better than none at all, having a tendency as they do to restrain the passions of human nature and to curb them, and to establish and maintain order to a greater or less degree. One monopoly is better than many; and the oppression of a king is tolerable, but the oppression of a mob, where every man is a law to himself and his own right arm, is his power to enforce his own will, is the worst form of government. Elder Erastus Snow, April 1881 (JD 22:151) 30

Laws and governments

134:2. The purpose of law.
John Locke: life, health, liberty, or possessions. The Founding Fathers: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Fundamental rights
It is not the right of property which is protected, but the right to property. Property, per se, has no rights; but the individualthe manhas three great rights, equally sacred from arbitrary interference: the right to his life, the right to his liberty, and the right to his property. The three rights are so bound together as to be essentially one right. To give a man his life, but deny him his liberty, is to take from him all that makes life worth living. To give him liberty, but take from him the property which is the fruit and badge of his liberty, is to still leave him a slave. President David O. McKay, October 1962

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Laws and governments

134:4, 9. The relationship of the state to religion, and religion to the state.

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Separation of church and state

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds to the doctrine of the separation of church and state; the noninterference of church authority in political matters; and the absolute freedom and independence of the individual in the performance of his political duties. If at any time there has been conduct at variance with this doctrine, it has been in violation of the well-settled principles and policy of the Church. We declare that from principle and policy, we favor: The absolute separation of church and state; No domination of the state by the church; No church interference with the functions of the state; No state interference with the functions of the church, or with the free exercise of religion; The absolute freedom of the individual from the domination of ecclesiastical authority in political affairs; The equality of all churches before the law. The First Presidency, March 1907
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DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Next week: Sections 111112, 114115, 117120

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class