Topic: Law, Matches 48 quotes.

The Civil Law Compulsory, The Church Law Voluntary

The purpose of this review, brief and very imperfect as it is, is to call your attention to the fact that the civil law is given for the protection and control of our temporal affairs, while the Priesthood is conferred upon us for the control and development of the Church: that the former differs from the latter in that one is compulsory, the other entirely voluntary. To the civil law all men must submit, regardless of race, creed or condition, while to the priesthood man may submit or not, as he may choose.

When arraigned before Pilate one of the charges brought against the Redeemer was that he was guilty of sedition, in that he had declared himself to be a king. Yes he answered, but my kingdom is not of this world. It was not a menace to the kingdom of Herod, or the empire of Rome. His was the kingdom of heaven, and had nothing to do with the kingdoms of this world, except that he taught his followers to be obedient to them, but the people, failing to distinguish between the temporal and spiritual could not comprehend.

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

Topics: Government, Vertical Separation; Law

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

Obedience To Law

Now, this matter of obedience to law: The Lord has revealed to the Latter-day Saints that he, himself, raised up wise men who prepared the constitution of the United States. We believe it to be a divinely inspired document. Will it endure? Will this country of ours last indefinitely?

I heard a great historian once say that he has studied ancient history with very great care in an effort to determine whether or not the United States of America, as a republic, will endure indefinitely. He said: “The republics of the past have failed. This republic can only endure, if in it there is some element not to be found in the republics of the past.” This historian (Andrew D. White) explained further that a careful investigation shows that we have in this republic one thing only, not to be found in other republics, and that is our great educational system. If after being trained in our schools, men have the Christian spirit, if there is in their hearts some unselfishness, if they are willing to make sacrifices for the good of others, then this republic may endure.

Source: Elder Richard R. Lyman
General Conference, October 1922

Topics: Education; Law; Virtue

One of the articles of faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says: “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.” Being subject to kings and presidents? Yes. Rulers and magistrates? Yes. By reason of the franchise which is given us as citizens of these United States, we have a responsibility and a privilege; we have the electing, either directly or indirectly, of those who preside over us, who are our officers and our servants, and it is the duty of every citizen of the United States to use his franchise and his opportunities, to have men elected to office in the city, in the county, in the state, and in the nation, who will fairly represent the people. They should, themselves, be law-abiding citizens. They should have the common good of the people at heart. They should be philanthropic, unselfish, having a desire to use their talents, and if need be, their means, at least to do their part in the support of the govenment, and working for the common good of all. They should be righteous men, so that they may receive help from God, and he delights to help those who are righteous and who are engaged in a righteous cause. He has declared by his own voice that he redeemed this land by the shedding of blood, and therefore it should be regarded as a sacred and hallowed land. By men who were raised up of the Lord and inspired by him, the constitution of these United States was given to us, and all the laws enacted should be in conformity therewith.

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

Topics: Law; Voting

No member of the Church can be accepted as in good standing whose way of life is one of rebellion against the established order of decency and obedience to law. We cannot be in rebellion against the law and be in harmony with the Lord, for he has commanded us to `be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign.... (D&C 58:22.) And one of these days he is going to come.

Source: President Joseph Fielding
General Conference, April 1971

Topics: Law

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