Topic: Politics, Matches 42 quotes.

Value Of Opposition

Perhaps no greater truth was ever expressed than that revealed through the prophet Lehi: “It must needs be that there is an opposition in all things.” As it is we sometimes have trouble in getting any considerable part of our citizens to the polls, and how many do you think would go if we had only one party and one ticket in the field? There must needs be opposition. Let it be honorable opposition. Let differences of opinion be held in honesty. Oh, let us be men, remembering our divine origin, and conducting ourselves accordingly.

Source: Elder James E. Talmage
General Conference, October 1932

Topics: Politics

A Blessing For Government Officials

I pray God to bless his Saints all over the wide world, and I bless them by the authority of the priesthood which I hold. I pray for our country and ask the Lord to bless those who preside in the nation, in the states, in the cities and in the counties. I pray God to inspire the people that they will obey his commands, and elect good men to office; that they will bury their political differences and seek for good men to hold office, and not men who connive with those who are breaking the laws of our country. It is one of the articles of our faith to obey and uphold the laws of the land. May God help us to do it. . . . [A]nd I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Source: President Heber J. Grant
General Conference, April 1928

Topics: Heavenly Interest in Human Events; Politics

Nation’s Salvation Rests With Its Citizens

We leave this question with you. We want you to understand that the salvation of this nation rests in the hands of its citizens not in the hands of those who control its civil affairs at present, but those who hold the franchise, and are to exercise it in the future. It appears to me that if the importance of this were understood, greater care would be exercised in the selection of men for public office.

There are enough of such men, and to spare, to administer our public affairs. There are good men, honest men, in all political parties, and associated with all churches and many who are allied with neither party or church. I do not appeal to any particular group of people, but to Christian people the world over.

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, October 1927

Topics: Politics

In time of war we know no party; all come to the defense of the country. In this hour, when Constitution and laws are being ridiculed, there ought to be no Democrats and no Republicans, no Prohibitionists and no Socialists, but only the one great party—the party of those who stand for law and order, for the Constitution of our country and the liberties for which we have paid so great a price.

Source: Elder Richard R. Lyman
General Conference, October 1927

Topics: Politics

The mission of Orson Hyde is well known to the Latter-day Saints; how, under very great difficulties, trials and hardships, he made his way to Jerusalem, went to the summit of the Mount of Olives,and there wrote out a prayer that God put into his heart, dedicating the land of Palestine for the return of the Jews, and for the renewal of their national existence. That prayer—and it is a most wonderful prayer—has been published many times in our periodicals. It is published also in the History of the Church, which is derived chiefly from the office journal of the Prophet Joseph. Orson Hyde, returning from his mission when in Alexandria, also wrote to the Millennial Star of the then current date and there made a rather wonderful prediction. He said in substance that it was by political power that Judah had been broken and scattered abroad, and that it would be by the exercise of political power that Judah would be restored; and furthermore he declared that England would be the leading national power that would befriend Judah, and aid him in the re-establishment of his people in the land of Palestine. This was published in the Millennial Star of 1842, and may be found by those curious enough to seek for he source of this information.

Source: Elder Brigham H. Roberts
General Conference, April 1927

Topics: Politics

Summary And Application

So, my brethren and sisters, I reach this conclusion: That it is the duty of each member of the Church to honor and obey the law of the land, and sustain the men who are chosen to administer it, in so far as they do so in righteousness and justice. That the Priesthood is conferred upon us for the development and control of the Church of Christ, and that it cannot be legitimately used for any other purpose. That whenever we use it for the promotion of personal interests, to gratify personal pride, or ambition, or apply it by compulsion or restraint, we are upon dangerous ground, and not in harmony with the word of the Lord. My conception is that the exercise of the Priesthood can only be legitimately used where the purpose is to provide equal opportunity for all, in the sphere occupied by each member of the Church, and special privileges to none, except as men may have merited honor and distinction through devotion to the work of the Lord.

Do not understand me to infer that men holding the Priesthood are not entitled to participate in all of the activities of the state, and enjoy any and all of the emoluments to which citizenship entitles them, but this participation, and the honors which may come to them should be the reward of merit; and the influence of the Priesthood, as such, should not be used to accomplish their personal desires.

Neither do I wish to infer that the Priesthood should not be exercised in the promotion and development of the temporal interests of the people. It is a poor system of religion, indeed, which treats only with the salvation of the souls of men, while it leaves their bodies to perish.

What a simple thing it is, and yet how vitally important. If the people of the world could only be taught obedience to this doctrine, to willingly honor and obey the law of the land in the control of civil affairs, leaving all men to answer to the Lord in matters of faith and worship, each having decent respect for rights and opinions of his neighbor, thus rendering to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, and to God that which pertains to his Kingdom, peace would soon prevail throughout the earth, Christ’s Kingdom would be established, and the will of the Lord would be done of earth, as it is done in heaven.

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, April 1923

Topics: Law; Politics

Best Men Should Be Chosen Regardless Of Politics

Politics reminds me very much of the measles. The measles don’t hurt much if you will take a little saffron tea or something else to keep them on the surface, but if they once set in on you, they turn your hide yellow and sometimes make you cross-eyed. So do not let politics set in on you. I believe absolutely in the best men for office. I believe in honest, upright, good men being chose to occupy places and positions in the state and in the Church.

Source: President Heber J. Grant
General Conference, October 1922

Topics: Politics

A Duty In Selecting Loyal Officers and Sustaining Them

It is God’s government; he has given us an inspiration in regard to government, and it is an example to all the world. I see no reason why a senator of the United States, a governor of a state, a legislative assembly, the judges upon the bench, or other officers should not be so true, loyal, and righteous that God would give to them inspiration to guide them in their work; and if they are men of this character we will support and sustain them; and the institutions of our country, and the liberties and freedom of the people will be preserved and protected.

We have a duty in the electing of these officers, and then when they are elected, we have a duty to support and sustain them. It matters not, when the President of these United States is elected and takes the oath of office, and bears the responsibility of his administration, whether he is a Republican or a Democrat, all are bound to support him in his position. If he does not magnify his calling according to his oath of office, I suppose he may be impeached, but until he is, he is our president and we should speak well of him at home and abroad; likewise with the minor officers—the governors of states, the mayors of our municipalities, etc.

Source: Elder George F. Richards
General Conference, October 1922

Topics: Politics; Voting

Let Us Possess Ourselves In Patience

Now, let us take to heart the lessons of this morning, brethren and sisters. Do not, during this coming campaign,—I allude to it just simply in that way; I do not want to talk politics, or to have it said I have been talking politics—but in this coming campaign possess yourselves in patience, and do not abuse or misrepresent any other person or party. You have no right to do it. I do not care how strong a partisan you may be on your own side, you have no right to misrepresent the other. You have no right to lie about it or about them. You have no right to commit any kind of injustice. Tell the truth as you understand it before the Lord, but not the whole truth, if that truth includes abusing the other party. Do not misrepresent what other people believe, and say a certain party believes this. Do not do that. Tell them what you believe, if you want to tell them what you understand; make clear and plain the truth as it appears to you, and do not find fault with and abuse or misrepresent others, either parties or persons. Is that politics? Call it what you like, it is the truth, it is the gospel.

Source: President Charles W. Penrose
General Conference, October 1920

Topics: Politics

•  ⟨⟨ 
•  ⟨ 
•   |  
•  ⟩ 
•  ⟩⟩