God and Government - Spencer W. Kimball (LDS Caucus)

various | Spencer W. Kimball

[Ripliancum]

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

President Spencer W. Kimball statements:

President Ronald Reagan has proclaimed the week beginning Sept. 17 (the 195th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of Sept. 17, 1787) as Constitution Week and has urged all Americans to observe that week by stressing the importance of the Constitution to our individual freedoms and form of government. In view of this proclamation and because of the high esteem in which the Constitution has been held by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, we encourage leaders and members of the Church in the United States to heed President Reagan’s proclamation and during this week to remember with appreciation before the Lord the great blessings of liberty and opportunity which are guaranteed to the citizens of the United States. The First Presidency. (”First Presidency Urges Support of Constitution Week” 4)

Every Latter-day Saint should sustain, honor, and obey the constitutional law of the land in which he lives. (”Guidelines to Carry Forth the Work of God in Holiness” 4-5)

The only way we can keep our freedom is to work at it. Not some of us. All of us. Not some of the time, but all of the time. So if you value your citizenship and you want to keep it for yourself and your children and their children, give it your faith, your belief, and give it your active support in civic affairs. (TSWK 405; from an address given at the Rotary Club, Salt Lake City, UT, 8 Jun 1976)

The Mormon people who are citizens of [the United States of] America today are intensely loyal to its Constitution and desire in every way to promote the God-given freedoms it was designed to protect. They have had experience with the tragedy that results when those freedoms are not protected, but this only feeds their determination to do all within their power to protect these freedoms, both for themselves and others, everywhere. (TSWK 405; from an address given at the rededication of the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge, Omaha, NE, 21 Apr 1979)

We encourage all members, as citizens of the nation, to be actively involved in the political process, and to support those measures which will strengthen the community, state, and nation—morally, economically, and culturally. (Quoted in Benson, “A Witness and a Warning” 33; from a letter from the First Presidency, 29 Jun 1979)

Early in this dispensation the Lord made clear the position his restored church should take with respect to civil government. In the revelation he gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he said: “And now, verily I say unto you concerning the . . . law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, [that it] belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you . . . in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land.” (D&C 98:4–6.)

[Ripliancum]

LDS Caucus thread. Please respect the designation. Today's post explores statements by Spencer W. Kimball, 12th 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. Kimball's administration as you see fit that add to the discussion.

Thanks, Ripliancum.

[Ripliancum]

freedom ping