Topic: Responsibility, Matches 82 quotes.

Individual self-government lies at the root of all true and effective government, whether in heaven or on earth. Those who govern should be wiser and better than the governed, that the lesser may be blessed of the greater. Were this so, then the people would willingly repose their dearest interests to the trusts of their rulers or leaders, and with a feeling of pleasure bow to and carry out to the letter their instructions and conclusions on all matters that pertained to the general good. This will apply to great kingdoms and mighty nations, to small companies of immigrants crossing the plains, or to the home circle. A republican government in the hands of a wicked people must terminate in woe to that people, but in the bands of the righteous it is everlasting, while its power reaches to heaven.

Source: Brigham Young
JD 10:19.

Topics: Responsibility

Security never granted

To “subdue the earth,” a person must look mainly to himself and not to others, except as others might offer good counsel or set a good example Most persons are striving to find what they consider security. It has been pointed out:

“People who look to government for ‘security’ are seeking that which has never been granted to human kind. Man was promised his living by the sweat of his brow, and where he wastes his substance he will want in spite of all human devices to render it otherwise. Nowhere in her system does nature offer security to anyone or anything. Nature’s way is the law of change and succession, or replacement and fulfillment; but never the unalterable, the fixed or the guaranteed. It is defeatism in the individuals to seek security in living, a misunderstanding of the function of life itself. It was not so that the pioneers of this land lived, when there were few governments to do things for them. They met the wilderness on its own terms, and pushed it back. Men and women worked together to found their homes, raise their children, and wrest a competence from what the land had to offer them. They helped one another. They had time for worship, and they knew that over man there was God. Our age is a pioneering one, and to eac are offered widening chances of development. It is a neglect of self-improvement to seek security without having earned it, to attempt to reap without having sown. No government can produce what people don’t in themselves create.” (“Security—A Mirage!” Life Line, October 31, 1964.)

A prominent American, in contemplating the subject, gave this advice to young people: “Don’t dream about security; make it for yourself, out of yourself.” He then concluded his thoughts on self-reliance with these words: “Dare to believe in yourself . . . and act accordingly. If you do, both your present and your future are secure.”

Source: Elder Henry D. Taylor
General Conference, April 1968

Topics: Responsibility; Security; Self-Reliance

Cherish constitution in the home

It is the obligation of parents to acquaint their children with this great document:

1. That they may have understanding of and appreciation for the principles that make their liberty and freedom possible.

2. They should be taught as well what their personal obligations will be when they become mature citizens of the United States.

3. We must see to it that they learn the factual history of our country.

4. They must be made to recognize and resist the constantly fomented ideologies that threaten the very life of our republic, the individual liberties of our people, and the God-given heritage of freedom. One of the greatest contributions of a free people is to transmit that freedom to their children.

We must remember that reverence for and obedience to law should begin in the home. President David O. McKay has warned that “no greater immediate responsibility rests upon the members of the Church, upon all citizens of this Republic, and of neighboring Republics, than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.” (The Improvement Era, May 1950, p. 378.)

In the face of the conditions as they are today, it seems imperative that individuals develop loyalty to their country and responsibility for their own behavior. Such attributes are ideally based on knowledge, which requires deliberate effort to obtain. Thomas Paine, one of the early patriots, reminded us that “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”

Source: Elder ElRay L. Christiansen
General Conference, October 1967

Topics: Education; Responsibility; US Constitution

Pledge our sacred honor

Like the patriots of old who, under extreme difficulties and discouragements, hammered out our constitution, may we say of that inspired document:

“And for the support of this with a firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our, fortunes, and our sacred honor. (Declaration of Independence.)

Source: Elder ElRay L. Christiansen
General Conference, October 1967

Topics: America, Heritage; Responsibility

It was never intended that our life on earth would be one of ease, since this life is but an interlude between two eternities.

Is there a need in American schools to teach our young men what America should really mean to them? And what about the young men of America who are not in our schools? Who will alert them? Because these secret youth organizations will be aimed directly at America’s young people, leaders of state and city governments should investigate every new youth organization seeking to become established within their respective jurisdictions. Our danger is greatest from within. If America is to be destroyed, the enemy knows full well it will have to be weakened from within.

Young men of America, stand by the traditions of your founding fathers. Make no compromise with the enemies of your freedom. Stand for your rights. Be true to your government. Be known and remembered for your patriotism, for your contribution to the freedom with which you would bless your posterity as you have been blessed by those who have paid the price and gone before.

Young men of America! Do you labor under the illusion that you can fight only behind a gun to defend your priceless heritage? Be not deceived! We are at war right now—not a shooting war but a contention as real and deadly as any shooting war ever fought in the history of man. Think of the uncounted millions already enslaved by the enemy without the horrors of a shooting war.

Each one of us should resolve to do everything he can for his country, which has done so much for him; assist in helping the rest of the world realize what freedom is and to keep aglow the fire which can truly light the world. You share in the noblest privilege of man, which is to make God’s work your own. “Men must choose to be governed by God or they condemn themselves to be ruled by tyrants,” was the way William Penn pronounced our death sentence as a nation or expressed our hope for survival.

Source: Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson
General Conference, April 1961

Topics: Citizenship; Duty; Responsibility

The present-day turmoil and bitter strivings threaten to undermine basic foundations of Christian relationship. Liberty, freedom of speech, self-government, faith in God, and particularly faith in the efficacy of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, are facing a bombardment from the ranks of error such as the world has seldom if ever witnessed.

Too many men quail under the impending onslaught, and cry vainly, “What can we do?” To members of the Church, to men everywhere, the Church answers, “Keep the commandments of God,” as named specifically, for example, by the Prophet Nephi:

”...God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing....

“And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.” (2 Nephi 26:30, 32.)

I commend this chapter to you.

Source: President David O. McKay
General Conference, April 1957

Topics: Responsibility

But that does not mean, because we have within our hearts a deep-seated religious conviction, that we are at the same time not qualified to participate in government. Unless we have faith in God and fear him and keep his commandments, we can hardly be worthy to hold high positions in government. The Prophet Joseph has told us in this statement through the inspiration of the Lord that we must have righteous men in order to have righteous government. If we are to be a God-fearing nation and enjoy the blessings of peace, then each one of us who has a faith in God must do our duty, take our part to accomplish our purpose in government. We should become intimately familiar with those who are active politically; we ought to be part and parcel of them. They should not be strangers to us. We should see to it that those men who have true qualities of leadership are placed in positions of trust and responsibility in the government; these fundamental principles of truth apply to every political party alike. There is no hope and can be no hope for our government, or any government, to which this principle does not apply.

Source: Elder Henry D. Moyle
General Conference, April 1952

Topics: Citizenship; Responsibility

It would be well if we could all be aroused by circumstances brought to our attention into a state of alertness to the dangers and the situations confronting us. I believe, my brethren, that it is well for every one of us to consider that he has a definite personal responsibility to do his full duty in the Church, in the government to which we belong, in order to forestall some of these calamities that look to be in the offing.

Source: President Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, April 1952

Topics: Citizenship; Responsibility

Preservation of Freedom

In conclusion, I repeat that no greater immediate responsibility rests upon members of the Church, upon all citizens of this Republic and of neighboring Republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.

Let us, by exercising our privileges under the Constitution–

(1) Preserve our right to worship God according to the dictates of our conscience,

(2) Preserve the right to work when and where we choose. No free man should be compelled to pay tribute in order to realize this God-given privilege. Read in the Doctrine and Covenants this statement:

. . . it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. (D&C 101:79.)

(3) Feel free to plan and to reap without the handicap of bureaucratic interference.

(4) Devote our time, means, and life if necessary, to hold inviolate those laws which will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

To sum up this whole question: In these days of uncertainty and unrest, liberty-loving people’s greatest responsibility and paramount duty is to preserve and proclaim the freedom of the individual, his relationship to Deity, and, (repeating the message of our President, to which I subscribe with all my soul) the necessity of obedience to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ — only thus will mankind find peace and happiness:

. . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32.)

Source: President David O. McKay
General Conference, April 1950

Topics: Responsibility

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