Proclamation Of Christ’s Teachings

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes with the Prophet Lehi that America is a “land of promise, a land choice above all other lands”—a land of liberty unto those who keep the commandments of God. But “if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.” The Church believes, also, that before the end of wickedness shall come, and wars shall be no more, “this gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all the world.”

The Constitution of this government was written by men who accepted Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. Let men and women in these United States then continue to keep their eyes centered upon Him who ever shines as a Light to all the world. Men and women who live in America, “the land of Zion,” have a responsibility greater than that yet borne by any other people. Theirs the duty, the obligation to preserve not only the Constitution of the land but the Christian principles from which sprang that immortal document.

Source: President David O. McKay
General Conference, October 1942

Topics: America, a Choice Land; US Constitution, Inspired

. . . I . . . say that there are conditions when entrance into war is justifiable, and when a Christian nation may, without violation of principles, take up arms against an opposing force.

Such a condition, however, is not a real or fancied insult given by one nation to another. When this occurs proper reparation may be made by mutual understanding, apology, or by arbitration.

Neither is there justifiable cause found in a desire or even a need for territorial expansion. The taking of territory implies the subjugation of the weak by the strong—the application of the jungle law.

Nor is war justified in an attempt to enforce a new order of government, or even to impel others to a particular form of worship, however better the government or eternally true the principles of the enforced religion may be.

There are, however, two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter—mind you, I say enter, not begin—a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and, (2) Loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one.

Source: President David O. McKay
General Conference, April 1942

Topics: Free Agency; War

Powerful Beast Helpless Prey

What some are calling a “New Order” follows the oldest order known. It is not unlike the practice o the powerful beast devouring its helpless prey. It is an order whose motives are prompted by envy, hatred and malice. It is an order that takes from man his freedom and makes it impossible for the individual, however righteous, trustworthy, talented, ambitious or competent, to work effectively, to rise and to make his contribution to the good of mankind by rendering the highest human service of which he is capable. This so-called new order is distinctly, yes, violently against the progress and welfare of the masses of the people. It would destroy the very foundations of free government. This plan displaces the rule of moral principle with that of selfishness, force and greed.

Source: Elder Richard R. Lyman
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: Freedom, Loss of

Natural Ability Richly Rewarded

Our country has had an unparalleled development and growth because here in this land of freedom men and women who exhibit exceptional ability and capacity for achievement are given an opportunity to rise quickly to positions and opportunities of ever-increasing importance. President Nicholas Murray Butler says that of the chief administrative officers of twelve of the greatest railway companies in our country, five began their services as clerks, two as office boys, one as fireman, one as locomotive engineer, one as a track laborer, one as a stenographer, one as a telegraph operator, and one as a rodman in a surveying party. This indicates how in a free country opportunities and positions of the highest order are open to those who possess exceptional native ability.

Source: Elder Richard R. Lyman
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: America

It is true the world is passing through a period of transition, of sorrow, and to many of despair. Nations are being subjected to tyranny. The four devastating Horsemen—War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death—are galloping seemingly unchecked. The daily press announced recently—“The greatest battle of annihilation in all history.” Freedom of the individual to speak, to act, and to work is being shackled. Systems of government heretofore advocated as the best and safest for mankind are being questioned. Religious truths, once held sacred, are now doubted, ridiculed, or rejected. In some parts of the world, even hell itself seems to have broken loose, spreading hatred, terror and death in its wake. Now as never before we should put our trust in God, “stand fast in the faith, quit ourselves like men, be strong.”

Source: President David O. McKay
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: Freedom, Loss of

The people have been forgotten by the administrators of their Government. There is no question about it. Many Governmental policies now in operation are being imposed upon the people without their consent or knowledge. In contemplation of these conditions, it can readily be seen that a great apostasy from “the law and the testimony” of the American democracy, the Constitution, is taking shape and form.

Furthermore, the people are being lulled to sleep by an opiate called “borrowed prosperity.” As Jefferson indicated, the people are so inclined toward the gaining of wealth they are forsaking the fundamental law of this great republic.

A new danger—American being arrayed against American in a new line of class demarkation which will divide this great nation, and, as has been said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

One of these groups in the face of a national emergency is literally lying down on the job, while our boys are in the military camps without proper weapons in their hands to learn the science of war. In the days of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln such a situation would have been handled as rebellion, and it should be handled as such today if America and American institutions are to continue.

Source: Elder Joseph L. Wirthlin
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: Government, Downfall

One of the great fundamentals advocated by the founders of this American nation was that of frugal administration of government affairs. Never before in the history of the world has there been such an extravagant expenditure of the people’s money.

Someone made reference to four or five freedoms. We have had more than four or five freedoms, for I think of at least the sixth one—the right under the Constitution of the United States for every man to work how, when, or where he will—and that right has disappeared. It is gone and now lies in the hands of a group who rule the laboring class of the United States.

I point out these few facts to you in substantiation of the point that as a people and a government we are on the high road of apostasy from that inspired Bill of Rights bequeathed to us by the founders of this great republic.

Source: Elder Joseph L. Wirthlin
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: Bill of Rights; Free Agency; Rights

I think the business men are largely to blame for these chaotic conditions. The Lord says: “Search out good and wise men”—not of any party; not of any church, but search out these good men and put them in charge of our civil affairs. But if you ask a business man to run for office, he becomes a Pharisee, a political Pharisee. He says: “I don’t like to enter into the slime of politics.” But who has made it a slime? The men who were unworthy to hold office. Business men say: “We can’t be elected.” Well, when, in the name of heaven, will you be any stronger? Why not enter the conflict? There ought to be common ground where good and wise men may stand, and their influence will be felt at headquarters in Washington.

Source: Elder Charles A. Callis
General Conference, October 1941

Topics: Politics; Voting

And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure if we have removed their only firm basis: a conviction in the minds of men that these liberties are the gift of God?

Source: Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia

Topics: Rights

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