 | |
Appendix III
Statements By:
President David O. McKay
President Ezra Taft Benson
President Gordon B. Hinckley
President David O. McKay
LDS, Communism, Study Groups
Statement concerning the position of the Church on Communism, made by President David 0. McKay at the general priesthood session of the 136th Annual Conference of the Church held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Saturday, April 9, 1966, at 7:00 p.m., read by Robert R. McKay.
In order that there may be no misunderstandings by bishops stake presidents, and others regarding members of the Church participating in nonchurch meetings to study and become informed on the Constitution of the United States, Communism, etc., I wish to make the following statements that I have been sending out from my office for some time and that have come under question by some stake authorities, bishoprics, and others.
Church members are at perfect liberty to act according to their own consciences in the matter of safeguarding our way of life. They are, of course encouraged to honor the highest standards of the gospel and to work to preserve their own freedoms. They are free to participate in nonchurch meetings that are held to warn people of the threat of Communism or any other theory or principle that will deprive us of our free agency or individual liberties vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States.
The Church, out of respect for the rights of all its members to have their political views and loyalties, must maintain the strictest possible neutrality. We have no intention of trying to interfere with the fullest and freest exercise of the political franchise of our members under and within our Constitution, which the Lord declared he established ‘by the hands of wise men whom [he] raised up unto this very purpose’ (D&C 101:80) and which, as to the principles thereof, the Prophet Joseph Smith, dedicating the Kirtland Temple, prayed should be ‘established forever.’ (D&C 109:54) The Church does not yield any of its devotion to or convictions about safeguarding the American principles and the establishments of government under federal and state constitutions and the civil rights of men safeguarded by these.
The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God’s work among men that exists on the face of the earth.
In this connection, we are continually being asked to give our opinion concerning various patriotic groups or individuals who are fighting Communism and speaking up for freedom. Our immediate concern, however, is not with parties, groups, or persons, but with principles. We therefore commend and encourage every person and every group who is sincerely seeking to study Constitutional principles and awaken a sleeping and apathetic people to the alarming conditions that are rapidly advancing about us. We wish all of our citizens throughout the land were participating in some type of organized self-education in order that they could better appreciate what is happening and know what they can do about it.
Supporting the FBI, the police, the congressional committees investigating Communism, and various organizations that are attempting to awaken the people through educational means is a policy we warmly endorse for all our people.
The entire concept and philosophy of Communism is diametrically opposed to everything for which the Church stands—belief in Deity, belief in the dignity and eternal nature of man, and the application of the gospel to efforts for peace in the world. Communism is militantly atheistic and is committed to the destruction of faith wherever it may be found.
The Russian Commissar of Education wrote: ‘We must hate Christians and Christianity. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the revolution. Down with love for one’s neighbor. What we want is hate. Only then shall we conquer the universe.’
On the other hand, the gospel teaches the existence of God as our Eternal and Heavenly Father and declares: ‘...him only shalt thou serve.’ (Matt. 4:10)
Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state, to which he must look for sustenance and religion. Communism destroys man’s God-given free agency.
No member of this Church can be true to his faith, nor can any American be loyal to his trust, while lending aid, encouragement, or sympathy to any of these false philosophies; for if he does, they will prove snares to his feet.
President Ezra Taft Benson
The Book of Mormon
I have noted within the Church a difference in discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That Book is a great sifter. (Ensign, December 1988, p. 4)
The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ through two basic means. First, it tells in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel. It testifies of His divinity and of the necessity for a Redeemer and the need of our putting trust in Him.…Second, the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12) It fortifies the humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar to the type we have today. God, with His infinite foreknowledge, so molded the Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophic concepts of our time. (Ensign, January 1988, p. 3)
Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not ‘serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ’ (Ether 2:12.) What will become of our civilization? (Ensign, November 1987, p. 7)
The Constitution
…we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: ‘Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.’…How then can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in heaven? First and foremost, we must be righteous. (Ensign, November 1987, p. 6)
…basic to our understanding of the Constitution is that governments should have only limited powers.…It cannot claim the power to redistribute money or property nor to force reluctant citizens to perform acts of charity against their will. (Ensign, September 1987, p. 8)
Secret Combinations
Our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and quit building up and upholding secret combinations,…(Ensign, July 1988, p. 80)
I testify that wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. (See D&C 1:14-16; 84:49-53) It is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over America and the entire world. [See Ether 8:18-25] (Ensign, November 1988, p. 87)
The record of the Nephite history just prior to the Savior’s visit reveals many parallels to our own day as we anticipate the Savior’s second coming. The Nephite civilization had reached great heights. They were prosperous and industrious. They had built many cities with great highways connecting them. They engaged in shipping and trade. They built temples and palaces. But, as so often happens, the people rejected the Lord. Pride became commonplace. Dishonesty and immorality were widespread. Secret combinations flourished because, as Helaman tells us, the Gadianton robbers ‘had seduced the more part of the righteous until they had come down to believe in their works and partake of their spoils’ (Hel. 6:38). ‘The people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning’ (3 Nephi 6:12). And ‘Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world,’ even as today (v. 15).
Mormon noted that the Nephites ‘did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them’ (v. 18). (Ensign, May 1987, p. 4)
Socialism
Now, we have not been using the Book of Mormon as we should. Our homes are not as strong unless we are using it to bring our children to Christ. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book to expose and combat falsehoods in socialism, rationalism, etc.... The situation in the world will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of God and quit building up and upholding secret combinations, which the Book of Mormon tells us proved the downfall of ancient civilizations. (Ensign, January 1988, p. 5)
We cannot afford to minimize the threat of socialism in America. We must be on guard against unsound theories and programs which strike at the very root of all we hold dear.... Today’s Socialists ... are using the federal government to redistribute wealth in our society not as a matter of voluntary charity, but as a so-called matter of right... Yes, we have traveled a long way down the soul-destroying road of socialism.... Men ... ascended to high political offices by promising what was not theirs to give, and citizens voted them into office in hopes of receiving what they had not earned. I fear for the future when I realize that our once-free institutions-political, economic, educational, and social-have been drifting into the hands of those who favor the welfare state, and who would ‘centralize all power in the hands of the political apparatus in Washington. This enhancement of political power at the expense of individual rights, so often disguised as ‘democracy’ or ‘freedom’ or ‘civil rights,’ is ‘socialism,’ no matter what name tag it bears.’ (Teachings, 1988, p. 692-693)
President Gordon B. Hinckley
I am confident that it was out of what he saw, the bitter fruit of dictatorship that he developed his strong feelings, almost hatred for communism and socialism. That distaste grew through the years as he witnessed the heavy handed oppression and suffering of the peoples of eastern Europe under what he repeatedly described as godless communism. These experiences further strengthened his love for the land of his birth....
He never got over his boyhood love for freedom. Rather, it grew within him, nurtured by what he saw of oppression in other lands, and by what he observed first hand of a growing dominance of government in this land over the lives of the people. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Talk given at the funeral of Ezra Taft Benson, June 4, 1994)
Members Urged to be ‘Full Participants in Community and Governmental Affairs’
In a letter to General Authorities and local leaders in the United States, the First Presidency encouraged members of the Church to be “full participants in political, governmental and community affairs.” The letter, dated Jan. 15, was to be read in sacrament meetings.
The full text of the letter follows:
We wish to reiterate the divine counsel that members “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness,” while using gospel principles as a guide and while cooperating with other like-minded individuals. (D&C 58:27.)
Through such wise participation as citizens, we are then in better compliance with this scripture:
“Governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them.” (D&C 134:1.)
Therefore, as in the past, we urge members of the Church to be full participants in political, governmental, and community affairs. Members of the Church are under special obligations to seek out and then uphold those leaders who are “wise,” “good,” and “honest.” (See D&C 98:10.)
Thus, we strongly urge men and women to be willing to serve on school boards, city and county councils and commissions, state legislatures, and other high offices of either election or appointment, including involvement in the political party of their choice.
While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are counseled to study the candidates carefully and vote for those individuals they believe will act with integrity and in ways conducive to good communities and good government. Hence, political candidates are asked not to imply that their candidacy is endorsed by the Church or its leaders.
As always, Church facilities may not be used for political purposes, nor Church directories or mailing lists.
Sincerely yours,
The First Presidency
(DeseretNews, Saturday, February 7, 1998)
| |
 |
