“That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.”
- Heading to Section 134 of “The Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (written 1835)
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which influences how I see the world …
Since the presidential elections of 2012, Latter-Day Saint candidates have featured prominently in the United States. People who normally have no interest in hearing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints would sometimes make exceptions for hearing about Latter-Day Saint candidate Mitt Romney, because of his being the Republican presidential nominee. Ironically, the church has long made it clear that it “does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms,” and that it does not “attempt to direct its members as to which candidate or party they should give their votes to.” (Source: The Mormon Newsroom). However, it does speak out on some political issues at times, and its scriptures include some prominent beliefs about governments and laws. Thus, I thought I would go over these beliefs about governments and laws here, and allow people outside the church to hear them (if they so choose) from a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
American flag
Governments are instituted of God, who will hold men “accountable” for their actions in them
The heading to this section clarifies that it is “A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws in general, adopted by unanimous vote at a general assembly of the Church held at Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835 … Many Saints gathered together to consider the proposed contents of the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.” (Source: Heading to Doctrine & Covenants 134) The heading also clarified that “At that time, this declaration was given the following preamble: 'That our belief with regard to earthly governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.' ” (Source: Heading to Doctrine & Covenants 134) And the first verse of this section clarified that “We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:1)
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States
Without the rule of law, peace and harmony would be supplanted by “anarchy and terror”
As far as the rule of law goes, one of the verses said that “We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:6) On this same theme, another verse said that “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:2)
Constitution of the United States
People should sustain and uphold their governments, while “inalienable rights” are protected
As far as obedience to laws goes, another verse said that “We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:5) The phrase “while protected” is significant, because it confines one's duty to obey laws to times where one's rights are protected (at least somewhat). People who are enslaved or oppressed thus do not owe allegiance to those laws that oppress them.
John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence
Laws must be enforced, and crimes should be punished according to “the nature of the offense”
As far as law enforcement goes, one verse said that “We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:3) With regards to criminal punishment, another verse said that “We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:8)
United States Supreme Court building
People are justified in defending themselves in “times of exigency” (a. k. a. emergency)
One verse said that “We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:11). Nonetheless, the verse continued, “we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:11)
United States Bill of Rights
There should be religious freedom, except where it might infringe on “rights and liberties” of others
Regarding religious freedom (an important topic for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), one verse said that “We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:4) Another verse said that “We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:7)
Salt Lake Temple, a famous Latter-Day Saint temple in Utah
We should not “mingle religious influence with civil government” (i.e. church with state)
Some other verses commented on separation of church and state. For example, one verse said that “We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:9) Another verse said that “We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world’s goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship.” (Source: Doctrine & Covenants 134:10)
Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah
Conclusion: My faith has influenced my beliefs about government in more than one way
My faith has thus influenced my beliefs in a number of ways. When I take part in the political process, I often think back to our scriptures about earthly governments. I hope that this post may clarify our beliefs somewhat, for our neighbors outside the church.
“We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
- Twelfth Article of Faith, from “The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” (1842)
Look me up at ComeUntoChrist.org
If you liked this post, you might also like:
Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Specific Latter-Day Saint scriptures about the Constitution and Founding Fathers
The First Amendment: Protecting religion from government
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