I am sure that with this combined strength, my brethren and sisters, the proper union of the Church with the State, and the proper union of the State with the Church, we shall triumph. Without it our heritage may pass into the alien hands of a godless, idolatrous people. There is real fear of that except we faithfully do our duty, both to this government of ours, the best there is in the world, with all its weaknesses, the government established by God our Father. I pledge myself to be obedient to its laws. I have always been, and to the men who have administered its affairs, notwithstanding the fact that they may have weaknesses.

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, October 1933

Topics: Obedience

God bless you, my brethren and sisters, keep us in the faith. Do not falter. The daydawn is breaking, when Christ our Lord shall come, not only to assume dominion over his Church, of which we form a part, but over the world at large. It was by church people—do not forget—that this government was founded and the foundations of it were laid. It was by church people that the War of Independence was fought. It has been by church people that it has been maintained, and it will be by church people that it shall be rescued from chaos, if it is rescued at all.

Source: President Anthony W. Ivins
General Conference, October 1933

Topics: America, History

Brother Grant referred, in his opening remarks, to relief from the government. I approach this subject with a great deal of feeling and strong conviction. The thought that we should get all we can from the government because everybody else is getting it, is unworthy of us as American citizens. It will debauch us. Judged by my standards it is wicked, and followed out it will destroy us. The government of the United States has not and can not supply the funds necessary to carry on relief work on that basis. We must be as careful with government funds as with our own or as with the Church’s. Patriotism, loyalty, decency, everything demands that such shall be our course.

Source: President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
General Conference, October 1933

Topics: Government, Wealth Transfer; Welfare

This government of ours was established under the inspiration of the Lord. We as a people need our government. We must have the safeguards which the Constitution throws around us—freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience. It has been my opportunity during my life to stand near to some of those who are called great. It has been my opportunity to work among those who will always work in subordinate capacities in the government. I want to say to you, my brethren and sisters, in all earnestness, that I have yet to see the man, however great he was, that I would wish to see become a dictator. Dictators are not for America, and the doctrine that dictators should rule us comes from an evil source.

Source: President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
General Conference, October 1933

Topics: Government, Tyranny

Loyalty To Country

“Mormonism” was made possible, humanly speaking, by the establishment of the government of the United States, whose constitutional guarantee of religious liberty paved the way for the coming forth of this “marvelous work and wonder.”

Source: Elder Reed Smoot
General Conference, October 1933

Topics: Freedom, Religious

Destructive Agencies

We are living in trying times—international struggles are imminent—“Nation rising against Nation” for supremacy and existence. Civilized governments are threatened by internal and destructive agencies in the form of Communism. This secret organization assumes different names and forms. It is Communism in France, Socialism in Germany, Internationalism in Spain and Italy, Nihilism in Russia, and similar sentiments and principles are cloaked under a variety of titles in America and Great Britain. All these organizations are opposed in spirit to all the restraints of law and order. Now let me call your attention to the fact that in February, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation on this very subject, which no doubt many of you are familiar with. Reference is also made along the same lines in the Book of Mormon. Secularism and infidelity are sweeping over the world; millions are indulging in every kind of iniquity. Crime is increasing with such rapidity that the large cities of the world find it next to imposible to cope with it.

Source: Elder Reed Smoot
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Politics, International

Lack of Political Honor

Much as I hesitate to reflect upon our government, I cannot refrain from calling attention to governmental practises which I am sure have contributed to the decline of private and public honor. The old saying that all is fair in love and war seems to be painfully applicable to politics as well. Since no campaign is in progress at the present time, one can speak without great hazard of being accused of partisan motives. False representations of persons and parties, innuendoes and half truths designed to besmirch character, and promises given with no intention of fulfilment, are all so common in our political procedure that our inclination is to suspect rather than to believe, and we seldom take a candidate, party or promise at face value. Sectionalism, trading for advantage and pork barrel legislation have degraded our politics to such an extent that real statesmanship is indeed at a premium. With hundreds of thousands of persons in the nation directly or indirectly feeding at the public crib, utilizing every available means at their disposal, either fair or foul which may escape the penalties of the law, for the retention of their positions, and with other hundreds of thousands seeking to displace them, not imbued in the main with any motives other than to put themselves in lucrative positions; will any one contend that such conditions have not tended to reduce materially the standards of public and private integrity throughout the country?

So long as public patronage continues to be the major item in public service, it cannot be otherwise. So long as we tolerate a system of political ethics which permits a man to brazenly announce his own candidacy and more brazenly still appeal and contrive for public support to win for himself an office as if it were a personal perquisite, so long as men call themselves instead of awaiting the call of country, we can scarcely hope for better days in the cause of common political honor.

Source: Elder Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Politics; Virtue; Welfare

Demoralizing Integrity Of Our Citizenship

I am driven to the conclusion, much as I should like to avoid it and the reflection which it entails, that the great institution of politics which in its true essence is the science of civil government has harbored so much of personal and group selfishness, so much of craftiness, chicanery, misrepresentation and vilification to gain the ends of self-seekers, that it must be counted as one of the large contributing factors in the demoralization of the integrity of our citizenship. You know and I know that many of the country’s best and most capable men positively decline participation in political affairs for reasons which I have mentioned. It is a great pity. We all suffer because of it. I wish we might rectify such conditions. I believe that there is a serious-minded disposition on the part of great numbers of our citizens to do so. The times are fortuitous for a change. God grant that it may come speedily.

In saying the things I have said it is not my purpose to cast reflection upon all of our public servants. There are many notable exceptions to the general observations I have made, but they are exceptions unfortunately. They are not the rule in American politics today.

Source: Elder Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Politics; Responsibility

It is the truth that makes men free, free from ignorance, free to choose the right. It is the truth—the knowledge of things as they were, as they are and as they will be which gives to men vision, understanding and wisdom. It is reasonable that more should be expected of those who have the truth. Can a man who has testimony of the truth lie a little, steal a little, or malign his neighbor with impunity? Who sets the standard for a religious man? Is it the community in which he lives, the customs which have become prevalent? No. His standards are set in the revelations of God. Through his faith he hears the commandments of the Lord declared from Sinai resounding down through the ages: “Thou shalt not steal.” “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” He knows that these injunctions are unequivocal and eternal. He knows that they are the foundation of virtue and he knows that they are essential to the eternal welfare of the race. Of course, more is expected of the religious man.

Source: Elder Stephen L. Richards
General Conference, April 1933

Topics: Virtue

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