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IV
The Elements of Freedom
An act May Be Classified As Good Or Evil According To Its Effect Upon Free Agency
If Satan is to successfully deceive the world he must do so regarding (1) The Lord’s plan for providing free agency, and (2) his own plan for destroying it The central issue of the conflict between Christ and Satan is over the free agency of man. If we are to avoid being deceived, we must have a clear understanding of this fact and also of the means and methods by which these opposing forces are trying to accomplish their purposes. We must not only know the Lord’s plan and how He is trying to effectuate it, but also Satan’s plan and how he intends to put it into operation. In order to know what the Lord’s plan includes we must know what it excludes and this means knowing the plan of Lucifer.
The scriptures inform us that the Lord’s great purpose with His children is to make them free that they may have joy. In opposition thereto, Satan’s aim is to enslave man, thereby making him miserable. There are numerous statements of the prophets such as the following which announce these truths:
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself (2 Nephi 2:27)
This war over free agency commenced in the pre-earth life as the Lord revealed through Moses:
Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which i the Lord God, had given him, and also, that i should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, i caused that he should be cast down; (Moses 4:3)
The same contest continues here on earth. When Satan was cast out of heaven, he and his followers came here to induce the two-thirds of God’s children who rejected him there to accept the same plan here. Since both Satan and Christ carry out their purposes through man, we can classify an act as good or evil on the basis of the intent of the actor to preserve or destroy freedom. The late President David O. McKay stated that whether an act is committed by an individual or a group, it may be classified as good or evil depending upon how it affects free agency:
References in the scriptures show that this principle of free agency is (1) essential to man’s salvation; and (2) may become a measuring rod by which the actions of men, of organizations, and of nations may be judged. (Era, Feb. 1962, p.86)
If all of the “actions of men, of organizations, and of nations” may be classified as righteous or wicked according to their effect upon freedom, then the only way Satan can deceive us regarding the distinction between his plan and the Lord’s is by confusing us regarding what acts preserve and what acts destroy freedom. This truth provides a single, easily-applied test which may be used to avoid deception.
In order to apply this test proposed by President McKay and the scriptures to which he had reference, let us analyze free agency by noting those possessions which are indispensable to its exercise, and then we will be in a position to classify any act as good or evil depending upon whether the purpose of the actor is to preserve, protect, and provide these possessions on the one hand, or destroy them on the other.
The Four Elements Of Free Agency
Those four possessions, without which it is impossible to exercise freedom or accomplish our purposes here on earth, are as follows:
1. Life, with some degree of physical and mental health and strength;
2. Freedom from the restraint or coercion of others;
3. Knowledge of laws;
4. The right and control of property.
Each of these possessions is indispensable to the achievement of any purpose whatsoever. It is most obvious that unless a person possesses some degree of physical and mental health and strength, he is incapable of exercising freedom. It is equally apparent that if he is subject to coercion or restraint, he is not free to achieve his own purposes. If he is being coerced or restrained, he is fulfilling the purposes of those using the compulsion rather than his own.
It is also easily demonstrated that without knowledge of truth, it is quite impossible for a person to achieve his goals. Law reigns supreme in the universe and no purpose can be attained without complying with that law upon which the desired result depends. But no one can knowingly obey a law of which he is ignorant, therefore, knowledge of law is another indispensable element of freedom. Or as the scriptures put it:
It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. (D&C 131:6)
In connection with out discussion of knowledge as an element of freedom, we should take note of the following scripture:
Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. (2 Nephi 2:16)
It might be appropriate to list “enticement” as a separate element of freedom because the above scripture states that it is essential in order for man to make a choice. However, it might also be properly classified as part of the element of knowledge since, when Christ and those doing His work “entice” one to live righteously, they do so by teaching truths and pointing out the benefits to be derived from living them. On the other hand, when Satan and his servants entice, they do so by suppressing and coloring the truth, thereby inducing the victim to act contrary to his best interests. In this sense, enticement consists of the use of truth and error to influence behavior and, therefore, might properly be considered as part of the knowledge element.
The Right And Control Of Property As An Element Of Freedom
The fourth element mentioned—the right and control of property— requires a more elaborate treatment than the other three because the necessity of this possession is not as easily recognized. Satan has been enormously successful in deceiving the world into believing that freedom may be preserved without it. However an accurate understanding of it and its relationship to the other three elements will demonstrate that without this possession, there can be no free agency on earth.
Life depends upon access to such things as food, clothing, and shelter; therefore, unless one can acquire these forms of property, his very existence ceases. Thus, at the outset we have demonstrated that property is just as essential to the exercise of freedom as life itself. If a person is deprived of freedom to control the fruits of his labors and is forced to remain dependent upon others for sustenance, he is essentially their slave because he is subject to their control. He will do nearly anything his provider commands merely to stay alive. As Alexander Hamilton expressed it:
a Power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will. (Federalist #79)
To be free then, one must be able to provide himself with those things upon which life depends. True it is that we all come into this world owning the same—nothing. During infancy and childhood, we are dependent upon our parents or others for our support. However, if the right and control of property is protected, we may, as we grow to maturity, take of the plentiful raw materials and energy about us, and through the efforts of our mind and body fashion these into consumable products thus freeing ourselves from dependence upon others. On the other hand if the right of private property is denied, we can never escape from our dependence upon, and subservience to, those who control the physical necessities of life, thus preventing us from becoming independent.
A second reason why the right and control of property is essential to the exercise of freedom is that property is the means to all ends. We may define freedom as the power and opportunity to achieve one’s goals. But no goal of any consequence can be achieved unless one is free to use property to aid him in reaching it. With property, we build our homes and support families therein; we acquire a farm, an office, a factory, machinery and tools and enter the occupation of our choice; we construct churches and exercise freedom of religion; we obtain a printing press, a lecture hall, a radio or TV station and exercise freedom of press and speech; we gain an education by using property to support us while we learn and pay those who teach us. Not one of these freedoms can be exercised without the right and control of property.
Still a third reason why the right and control of property is essential to the exercise of freedom is to enable one to hire the services of others. Through uniting the efforts of many, one may accomplish purposes completely beyond his own limited abilities. Only when one can employ the skill, knowledge, and experience of others and coordinate their efforts toward a common goal, can he accomplish miracles in the production and distribution of goods and services. While there may be other inducements which will procure cooperation, the offer to share one’s possessions has proven to be the most effective.
Economic Freedom Lies At The Base Of All Liberties
A man’s property is his life. It is what he spends his productive life to obtain and it is that with which he sustains life. It is also his liberty; he uses it to achieve his every goal; it is the means to the ends he seeks; it is the limiting factor in his dreams and ambitions. Property is the fruit of labor and naturally belongs to that person whose efforts created it. When you take from a person his property, you take from him his life—that part of his life he spent acquiring it. You also deprive him of his liberty—that portion of his liberty he would exercise were he permitted to retain it. It is most obvious that without the right of private property, the other elements of freedom—life, liberty, and knowledge—could not exist or would be useless. Indeed, all four of these possessions are mutually dependent one upon another to such a degree that if any one is missing, the other three are unusable. The late President David O. McKay recognized this important fact in the following statement:
The fostering of full economic freedom lies at the base of our liberties. Only in perpetuating economic freedom can our social, political and religious liberties be represented… (Church News, March 12, 1952)
The fact that the four elements of freedom are mutually dependent one upon another is of utmost importance to Satan’s plan, because all he needs to do to achieve his purpose of destroying free agency is to abolish just one of them. Having done this, he has achieved success. All he needs to do to deceive us into joining his efforts is to convince us that any one of these elements is unnecessary. That he has been largely successful in deceiving the world into believing that the right of the individual to own and control the fruits of his labors should be abolished should be apparent to everyone.
An Act Is Good Or Evil Depending Upon Whether Its Purpose Is To Preserve Or Destroy The Elements Of Freedom
After having listed the possessions necessary to the exercise of free agency, we are able to recognize more clearly the truth of President McKay’s statement that “the actions of men, of organizations, of nations” may be classified as good or evil depending upon their effect upon free agency. Let us observe that the intentional and unjustified destruction of any one of the elements of freedom has always been regarded as evil and punished as a crime by moral man.
The taking or injuring of human life is condemned as murder, mayhem, assault, and battery. The denial of human liberty is called slavery or false imprisonment. The intentional perversion of the truth is known as lying. The taking or destruction of the property of another is known as theft, burglary, arson, malicious destruction, etc. -
On the other hand, those intentions and acts which have always been considered good by moral man have the effect of providing, preserving, and protecting these elements. Here are some examples of acts considered good:
1. Parents provide bodies for children and rear them to maturity; the good Samaritan preserves life by acts of kindness.
2. The liberation or emancipation of slaves.
3. The teaching of truth.
4. The production of wealth and the charitable act of sharing it with others.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to think of any good act which does not provide or protect an element of freedom, or to think of any evil act which does not have the opposite effect. This is convincing evidence that the test proposed by President McKay for distinguishing between good and evil is valid.
The Use Of Organizations To Preserve Or Destroy Free Agency
To gain a more complete understanding of the Lord’s plan of providing free agency, it is necessary to recognize that his principal method of doing his work is through organizations. Everyone recognizes that in unity there is strength and that organized effort is infinitely more effective in achieving goals than is individual effort. Not only is coordinated, cooperative activity more efficient and productive, but men also derive their joy in working with and for others. There are three organizations—the family, church and government—through which the Lord provides his children with the four elements of freedom. Let us note which elements are provided by which organizations.
The Function Of The Family In Providing The Elements Of Freedom
One of the first commandments given to man was that he should form the family unit and multiply and replenish the earth. Through the family, the most basic organization of society, the Lord has designed to provide His children with the first element of freedom—life. Not only is it the means by which children should be brought into mortality, but it is also the principal organization through which God has commanded us to provide two other elements of freedom—knowledge and property.
Both the training of children, as well as providing them with sustenance until they become of age, are primarily the duties of the family unit. A failure on the part of parents to properly teach their children will result in the sin being placed upon their heads. (D&C 68:25; 2 Nephi 4:6) The scriptures also tell us that “all children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age,” and “if any provide not for his own…he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (D&C 83:4; 1 Tim.5:8) If a child becomes economically independent before he marries, he may provide for himself outside the family organization, but the plan of the Lord is for the family unit to labor cooperatively together to provide the necessities of life for its members. It might be noted that under the Patriarchal order, the family organization also functioned in the capacity of government.
The Function Of The Church In Providing The Elements Of Freedom
The primary purpose of the Lord’s Church is to aid the family in carrying out its purposes. It serves the family by providing divine guidance and instruction. Additional teaching, training, and development are offered, and missionary and genealogical work are undertaken. The sealing power to make the family an eternal unit is also available through it. And finally when the family unit is incapable of caring for the physical needs of its members, the Church stands ready to render supplemental aid. Under the plan of the United Order, the Church organization has certain responsibilities for determining stewardships and handling surpluses. Thus between the family and the Church, the three elements of freedom—life, knowledge, and property are provided.
The Function Of Government In Providing The Elements Of Freedom
It is the duty of government to protect the elements of freedom by punishing those who intentionally and without justification commit crimes against them. In doing this it also protects the family and the Church in performing their functions. The Lord has declared that His purpose in establishing government is the protection of freedom. When He caused “the laws and constitution of the people” of the United States to be established, His avowed purpose in doing so was:
That every man act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which i have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgement. (D&C 101:78)
In another revelation where He was discussing the constitutional laws of the land He made this comment:
i, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. (D&C 98:8)
If the Lord’s purpose in establishing governments is to provide his children with free agency, we can be certain that He will deeply concern Himself with this institution because free agency is the key to the entire plan of life and salvation. In fact, without that freedom which only government can provide, neither the family nor the Church can function. The Lord could not restore His gospel to earth in these latter days without first establishing a government which guaranteed freedom of worship, speech, press, and the right and control of property. It would have been futile to have attempted to organize it in a nation which denied these rights. Christ, in noting the necessity of making the Gentiles in the Americas a free people so that the Book of Mormon could be brought forth, said:
For it is wisdom in the Father that they [the Gentiles] should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things [the Book of Mormon] might come forth from them unto a remnant of your seed… (3 Nephi 21:4)
We Believe That Governments Were Instituted Of God
It is probably true that very few people regard government as an organization of the Lord, however, Latter-day Saints who accept their scriptures are not in doubt about the matter, since those scriptures state:
We believe that 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)
It is also probably true that many Latter-day Saints do not realize the extent to which the Lord has involved Himself in political affairs throughout history, not only in causing governments to be established, but also in choosing political rulers and revealing those laws He desires enforced.
These facts are so important to the subject of this book that it seems appropriate at this point to consider some of those cases in which the Lord has given guidance in the affairs of government.
In recognizing God as the source of their rights, the Founding Fathers declared Him to be the ultimate authority for their basis of law. This led them to the conviction that people do not make law but merely acknowledge preexisting law, giving it specific application. The Constitution was conceived to be such an expression of higher law. And when their work was done, Madison wrote: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stage of the revolution.” (The Federalist, no. 37)
This then, is the ingenious and inspired document created by these good and wise men for the benefit and blessings of future generations. We are the beneficiaries of their work, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to them and to our God who led them in their task. (President Ezra Taft Benson, [1986] The Constitution, A Heavenly Banner p.23, 24)
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