Topic: Law, Respect For, Matches 15 quotes.

Respect For Law

Respect for the law is an old theme. It is commonly brought to our attention these days. I think that there are two classes of people who are chiefly responsible for the lack of respect which exists for the law and for established institutions of government. One class is those who hold office and the other class is those who do not. I don’t mean by that to say that all men who hold office are responsible for the condition which exists; not by any means; nor are all citizen. I have always felt that one of the essential things to breed a wholesome respect and regard for the law of the land and the established institutions of government is the honorable, worthy conduct of the men who are elected to office, and whenever any man who is entrusted with a public duty and public authority abuses his office and attempts to reward himself at the expense of his government and the citizenry, and does not conduct himself with that dignity and propriety which is becoming one invested with his authority, he does more to teardown respect for law and authority than dozens of good men can do to build it up. I want to tell you that the youth of the land are wise in their day and generation. They are sophisticated, they are observant, and when they see men plead in fiery oratorical fashion for the support of the Constitution and in their grandiloquence wildly protest allegiance to the flag of the country, and then come to know that those same men are grafters, corrupt in office, they at once lose regard for the institutions of government and for the officials who stand at the head of government. And too on the part of the citizenry: Men who support such men, men who go around campaigning for them and men who become the beneficiaries of their dishonest practices, are likewise doing more to tear down that attitude which is essential to the preservation of good government than thousands of good people can do to sustain it. It takes honor, real genuine integrity, in order to beget a respect for law and for her institutions! It is such peple who today are setting at naught the laws of the country, and such public officers who with seeming ease of conscience are failing to observe their oaths, who are sowing the seeds which may mature some time in the violence of rebellion and revolt against the great principles of equity and liberty and justice which lie at the foundation of our beneficent government. It hurts me, it grieves me every time I see men of influence violate any ordinance, any statue, any law which has been passed and established by proper authority in this country. Enough has been said in this conference on that subject. I here pronounce the recognition of those laws and their observance as indispensable to the creation and maintenance of reverence and respect for the Constitution and for the established orders of society.

Source: Elder Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, October 1928

Topics: Law, Respect For

I call your attention to this important truth, that people who live in far distant hamlets are under law; that people who live in the cities of the land are subject to law, and it follows if a citizen desires to enjoy the privileges that belong to the city in which he resides, he must yield obedience to the laws of that city, and give heed to its ordinances. If a man wishes to enjoy the advantages and privileges of citizenship in this great nation of ours, he must subject himself to, the laws of the nation. You know quite as well as I do what is said of a man who disregards law, who goes beyond and away from it, who appears to think that that is his privilege. Well, the Lord has something to say about that, for he spoke by revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet and said:

“And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.

“That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.”

So a man who ignores the law, who sets his face as flint against it, is called an outlaw, and if he sets himself against the Government in which he resides and of which he is a part, and violates the law and uses his influence against the Government, that is designated as treason. He is treasonable, he is subject to the action of this very law which he violates.

Source: President Rudger Clawson
General Conference, April 1928

Topics: Law, Respect For

The Need Of Emphasizing Law Observance

Now what is the necessity of calling attention to this matter at this particular time? I believe that we who are present know that the necessity does exist. You only need to read the reports that come to us from the various parts of the United States, and from our own state and county. There is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that lawlessness is running riot. Men go, boldly and unmasked, and shoot their way into the treasure-houses of this country, killing, if law-abiding men stand in the way, in order that they may carry away that which does not belong to them. Men violate, unblushingly, the laws of chastity and virtue, which are the very foundations upon which all good governments may stand. Men holding public office violate that trust which has been reposed in them by the people, and themselves stand out violators of the very law that they are appointed to magnify and uphold. Only this morning you who read the papers saw an account of one of the most atrocious crimes that could be named, said to have ben perpetrated by an official who has been appointed to administer the law, not to violate it, in which at a threat of life he takes a woman into an automobile, carries her away to a secluded place, and there keeps her during the entire night. I have passed a good part of my life among uncivilized people. I have been with Indian tribes from the Canadian border to the interior of Mexico, and I have never in my experience encountered a tribe of Indians who would tolerate lawlessness of this character in the indifferent manner that we do. Men are arrested, prosecution is sought, the best legal talent available is called in for their defense, and there is scarcely one chance in ten that they will be convicted. Witnesses unblushingly perjure themselves, while attorneys who pose as respectable members of society, with full knowledge of the fact, encourage them in it.

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

Topics: Law, Respect For

So far as the Latter-day Saints are concerned, we rejoice in every measure that seeks to preserve us from these destructive influences [alcohol], and yet I recognize that all the legislation that can be enacted will not charge the appetites of men or control their will. If it becomes necessary for us to use half the people of this country to police the other half, civilization will be in dire peril. The strength and power of the American government was in the willingness on the part of the great masses of the people to observe the constitutional law and honor and respect it. We have been changing year by year from that time until the present, and never before in the history of our government has there been such a police force in use in the nation, in the states, and in the counties and in the cities to attempt to maintain law and order. There must come an awakened respect for law and order or we shall reach the point where 51% of the people shall be lawless, and then our interests will be in danger, our constitution, or privileges and our rights will be in imminent jeopardy.

Source: Elder Melvin J. Ballard
General Conference, October 1927

Topics: Law, Respect For

The theme of this conference has been, obey the law. Some of us know enough to obey the law, for we appreciate that through obedience to law we are blessed. There are others who feel that it is proper to obey the law when there is danger in breaking the law of being caught and punished; some who obey the law when it is convenient; for that reason, it is necessary that we should have peace officers to protect those who are peace-loving, just and honest. When men cultivate the Spirit of God, when they learn to love God, when they can put out of their souls and their very lives, the spirit of selfishness, covetousness and envy, then will the need of peace officers be lessened and perhaps done away. But as long as individuals are seeking their own ends, regardless of the effect of their actions upon the peace and safety of others, we cannot hope for that condition which God has promised to come through our obedience to his laws. As long as that condition exists, it will be necessary to have peace officers and armes.

Source: Elder David A. Smith
General Conference, October 1927

Topics: Law, Respect For

A Warning Voice Against Evil

It is pleasing to know that the Latter-day Saints are loyal, as a people, to the Government, to the Constitution, and that they observe the law. Moreover, it is well to have our attention called to the duties and responsibilities that are ours as members of the Church, and to have the warning voice raised, from time to time, against the evils that prevail in the world that we may be prepared to resist them.

Source: Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
General Conference, October 1927

Topics: Law, Respect For; Responsibility

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