God and Government - Joseph F. Smith (LDS Caucus)

various | Joseph F. Smith

[Ripliancum]

Teachings from the leaders of the Mormon (LDS) Church on the blessings of our Constitution and the freedoms we must defend.

President Joseph F. Smith statements:

It was part of the design of the Almighty when He influenced the fathers to leave the old world and come to this continent; He had a hand in the establishment of this government; He inspired the framers of the Constitution and the fathers of this nation to contend for their liberty. (”The Constitution Is an Inspired Document” 644)

The Lord declared that he had established the Constitution of the United States through “wise men raised up unto this very purpose” [D&C 101:80]. It is also our belief that God has blessed and prospered this nation, and given unto it power to enforce the divine decrees concerning the land... (”An Address” 489; also in MFP 4:150)

Joseph Smith, the prophet, was inspired to affirm and ratify this truth, and he further predicted that the time would come, when the Constitution of our country would hang as it were by a thread, and that the Latter-day Saints above all other people in the world would come to the rescue of that great and glorious palladium of our liberty. We cannot brook the thought of it being torn into shreds, or destroyed, or trampled under foot and ignored by men. We cannot tolerate the sentiment, at one time expressed, by a man, high in authority in the nation. He said: “The Constitution be damned; the popular sentiment of the people is the Constitution!” That is the sentiment of anarchism that has spread to a certain extent, and is spreading over “the land of liberty and home of the brave.” We do not tolerate it. Latter-day Saints cannot tolerate such a spirit as this. It is anarchy. It means destruction... ... We should stand with a front like flint against every spirit or species of contempt or disrespect for the Constitution of our country and the constitutional laws of our land. (”The Mexican Trouble—Loyalty to the Constitution” 101-02)

I wish to say this, there isn’t a feeling in my soul, nor in any fibre of my being that is disloyal to the government of the United States or to the desire that we have in our souls to maintain the principles of individual and National liberty, justice and freedom that have been established in the Constitution of our country. I believe in the Constitution of the United States. I believe in the principles which that instrument promulgates—the freedom of mankind to do right, to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, freedom to pursue their way in peace and to observe and maintain their rights, their freedom, their liberties, and justly recognize and equally preserve and defend their rights, freedom and liberty of their neighbors and of their fellow beings—and of all God’s creatures. I believe that the Constitution of the United States was and still is an inspired instrument. The Lord God Almighty inspired the minds that framed it, and I believe it ought to be most sacredly preserved. It is worthy of the defense and should be upheld by all the people of our land. (”Thrift and Economy” 634-35)

[Ripliancum]

LDS Caucus thread. Please respect the designation. Today's post explores statements by Joseph F. Smith, 6th President the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If you are a member of the LDS Caucus, please add statements pertaining to Pres. Smiths administration as you see fit that add to the discussion.

Thanks, Ripliancum.

[Ripliancum]

freedom ping

[yellowroses]

“the freedom of mankind to do right, to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience, freedom to pursue their way in peace and to observe and maintain their rights, their freedom, their liberties, and justly recognize and equally preserve and defend their rights, freedom and liberty of their neighbors and of their fellow beings—and of all God’s creatures.”

Freedom to pursue their way in peace is a quite significant phrase today. The mosk in NYC troubles me greatly. The religion of Islam should be allowed to exist here in the US “IF” it is taught by Imans who respect our laws and our liberties. If they preach the destruction of this Nation and our values, they they should be held accountable. Sedition is a terrible reality.

How this might be accomplished is the problem. I hesitate to suggest that their meetings be infiltrated, recorded or treated with dis-respect, because of the sacred nature of what takes place in our temples.

If a majority of citizens do not want us to build in their neighborhood, and we then give up, and build elsewhere; should not the same standards be applied in NYC. Actually when many citizens throughout the US express disapproval of this edifice to be build, then I think permission should be denied for this particular place, and they build it somewhere else.

Just saying......

[Ripliancum]

There is a difference between freedom of religion and shoving your beliefs down the throats of your fellow Americans in spite of shared concerns. Sometimes when we build temples, we change the location due to overt and legitimate concerns of the community. This doesn't take anything away from our religion. A structure is still built, just in a better local for all parties concerned.

The mosque situation is not about freedom, it's about a shrine to the ideologies that led to the events that happened in that location.

God told Hagar and Abraham both that Ishmael would be a “great nation.” That doesn't mean they always would remain so. They didn't, but they are still God's children, and yes, they have freedom of religion also. What they DO NOT have is the freedom to throw it in the faces if all Americans.

I'm just saying...

[yellowroses]

“The mosque situation is not about freedom, it’s about a shrine to the ideologies that led to the events that happened in that location.”

I agree with you 100% and you say it much better than I.

[Ripliancum]

Thank you, especially for your service to this Country! Your about page is an inspiration.