God and Government - Ezra Taft Benson

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

Now it is not so much a case of a man giving up all his other duties to fight for freedom, as it is a case of a man getting his life in balance so he can discharge all of his God-given responsibilities. And of all these responsibilities President McKay has said that we have “no greater immediate responsibility” than “to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.” There is no excuse that can compensate for the loss of liberty . . . (”Our Immediate Responsibility” 10-11; also in Enemy 313-15)

Here in America, ... we of the priesthood, members of His restored Church, might well provide the balance of power to save our freedom. Indeed we might, if we go forward as Moroni of old, and raise the standard of liberty throughout the land [Alma 62:4]. My brethren, we can do the job that must be done. We can, as a priesthood, provide the balance of power to preserve our freedom and save this nation from bondage.

The Prophet Joseph Smith is reported to have prophesied the role the priesthood might play to save our inspired Constitution. Now is the time to move forward courageously—to become alerted, informed, and active...

We know, as do no other people, that the Constitution of the United States is inspired—established by men whom the Lord raised up for that very purpose [D&C 101:80]. We cannot—we must not—shirk our sacred responsibility to rise up in defense of our God-given freedom. (”Our Immediate Responsibility” 17; compare Enemy 321; TETB 620)

Another standard I use in determining what law is good and what is bad is the Constitution of the United States. I regard this inspired document as a solemn agreement between the citizens of this nation which every officer of government is under a sacred duty to obey. (Enemy 133; also in GFC 288-89; compare TETB 615; from an address delivered at the Utah Forum for the American Idea, Salt Lake City, UT, 29 Feb 1968)

I believe that God has endowed men with certain inalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property, and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression.

I believe that the Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by men acting under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact between the peoples of the states of this nation that all officers of government are under duty to obey; that the eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish. . . .

I am hereby resolved that under no circumstances shall the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights be infringed. In particular I am opposed to any attempt on the part of the federal government to deny the people their right to bear arms, to worship, and to pray when and where they choose, or to own and control private property. (Enemy 143-44; also in GFC 299-300; revised in TETB 617; from an address given at the Utah Forum for the American Idea, Salt Lake City, UT, 29 Feb 1968)

Do we dare ask ourselves if the United States, though cast in the role of a leader to preserve and strengthen world civilization, isn’t itself tottering internally because too many of its citizens have abandoned the virtues that comprised the basic format of its own civilization? For instance, if spiritual faith, courage, and the willingness of our forbears to work hard were the sustaining virtues, and if, solely because of them, they were able to create our own civilization, can we now in the United States substitute for these virtues the human weaknesses of selfishness, complacency, apathy, and fear—and still hope to survive as a civilized nation? (Enemy 118; from an address given at the Annual Boy Scouts Banquet, Commerce, TX, 13 May 1968)

It is my conviction that the Constitution of the United States was established by the hands of wise men whom the Lord raised up unto this very purpose.

The Lord expects us to safeguard this sacred and inspired document for the blessing of all of us and our posterity. If we fail so to do we will not only lose our priceless freedom but jeopardize the cause of truth throughout the entire world. (Enemy 268)

With independence won, another body of men assembled; and under the inspiration of heaven, they too drafted a document, probably the greatest instrument ever struck off at a given time by the mind of man: the Constitution of the United States. (GFC 371; from an address given at the New England Rally for God, Family, and Country; Boston, MA, 4 Jul 1970)

I support the doctrine of separation of church and state as traditionally interpreted to prohibit the establishment of an official national religion. But this does not mean that we should divorce government from any formal recognition of God. To do so strikes a potentially fatal blow at the concept of the divine origin of our rights, and unlocks the door for an easy entry of future tyranny. If Americans should ever come to believe that their rights and freedoms are instituted among men by politicians and bureaucrats, they will no longer carry the proud inheritance of their forefathers, but will grovel before their masters seeking favors and dispensations—a throwback to the feudal system of the Dark Ages. (TETB 609; from an address given at the LDS Business and Professional Men’s Association, Glendale, CA, 10 Nov 1970)

We honor these partners [friends outside the Church] because their devotion to correct principles overshadowed their devotion to popularity, party, or personalities.

We honor our founding fathers of this republic for the same reason. God raised up these patriotic partners to perform their mission, and he called them “wise men.” (see D&C 101:80.) The First Presidency acknowledged that wisdom when they gave us the guideline a few years ago of supporting political candidates “who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our Founding Fathers.” (Deseret News, November 2, 1964.) . . .

Our wise founders seemed to understand, better than most of us, our own scripture, which states that “it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority . . . they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.” (D&C 121:39.)

To help prevent this, the founders knew that our elected leaders should be bound by certain fixed principles. Said Thomas Jefferson: “In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

These wise founders, our patriotic partners, seemed to appreciate more than most of us the blessings of the boundaries that the Lord set within the Constitution, for he said, “And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.” (D&C 98:7.)

In God the founders trusted, and in his Constitution—not in the arm of flesh. “O Lord,” said Nephi, “I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; . . . cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.” (2 Nephi 4:34.) (”Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints” 59-60)

It is a part of my religious belief that America is a land choice above all others, that we are not just another of the family of nations, but that we have been singled out to perform a divine mission for liberty-loving people everywhere. Those who founded this republic were wise men raised up by our Father in heaven to perform that very task, and the Constitution of this land was inspired by God. We have a divine duty—even a destiny—to preserve that Constitution from destruction and hold it aloft to the world. (GFC 405; from an address given at the New England Rally for God, Family, and Country honor banquet; Boston, MA, 4 Jul 1972)

LDS Caucus thread. Please respect the designation.

Today's post further explores statements by Ezra Taft Benson, 13th President the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President Benson, who served in Eisenhower's cabinet for the full 8 years, (the only cabinet member to do so), simultaneous to his service as an Apostle for the Church, was there in a pivotal time for our country. President Benson was an outspoken critic of Communism and Socialism. He was both a prophet and a statesman, and IMO was there by no coincidence.

2 posted on 09/10/2010 5:41:41 PM PDT by Ripliancum ("As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free")

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