In {Article of Faith #11} we reviewed the importance of all men, everywhere, being free to worship according to the dictates of their own conscious. It is not up to anyone, not even the government, to tell someone how or where or when or who they can worship. That said, we recognize and understand how incredibly important it is to have a government and to be good citizens in whatever country we live.
A very important moment in history illustrates how the Mormon saints were true patriots to their country. After years of persecution and false accusations, upheld by state governors and ignored by the United States government, the saints decided to make the trek west to find refuge in the unknown wilderness, which continued from the mid to late 1840s. Regardless of countless requests for their protection in accordance with the Constitution's protection of religious freedom, they were forced to escape or stay and risk extermination (there were multiple orders for such an atrocity).
And yet, in July 1846 when United States President James K. Polk asked for 500-1,000 Mormon volunteers to march to California to aid in the Mexican-American War, Mormon recruits came willingly and quickly. It did not matter that their government had not been loyal to them; they were loyal to their country. The only religious military unity in American history, this battalion completed the 2,000 mile trek from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California, making the journey both the longest religious march and infantry march in U.S. history.
Now that is true patriotism and heroism. It is showing loyalty and dedication to one's country, despite the government's actions, or lack thereof. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no ill-will towards the government or anyone else who deprived the early saints of their religious freedoms and civil rights. We are not a perfect people, and this is not a perfect country or government. People are not always going to agree with one another on political agendas, personal beliefs, or the actions of political leaders, but that does not make government inherently faulty. It is left to the people themselves to choose how to act, how to use power, and thus how to uphold the government.
"Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land" (D&C 58:21). Government is a tool for enacting and keeping order. Order is an eternal principle. God is a God of order: His Kingdom has order and his Gospel has order.
A very important moment in history illustrates how the Mormon saints were true patriots to their country. After years of persecution and false accusations, upheld by state governors and ignored by the United States government, the saints decided to make the trek west to find refuge in the unknown wilderness, which continued from the mid to late 1840s. Regardless of countless requests for their protection in accordance with the Constitution's protection of religious freedom, they were forced to escape or stay and risk extermination (there were multiple orders for such an atrocity).
And yet, in July 1846 when United States President James K. Polk asked for 500-1,000 Mormon volunteers to march to California to aid in the Mexican-American War, Mormon recruits came willingly and quickly. It did not matter that their government had not been loyal to them; they were loyal to their country. The only religious military unity in American history, this battalion completed the 2,000 mile trek from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California, making the journey both the longest religious march and infantry march in U.S. history.
Now that is true patriotism and heroism. It is showing loyalty and dedication to one's country, despite the government's actions, or lack thereof. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there is no ill-will towards the government or anyone else who deprived the early saints of their religious freedoms and civil rights. We are not a perfect people, and this is not a perfect country or government. People are not always going to agree with one another on political agendas, personal beliefs, or the actions of political leaders, but that does not make government inherently faulty. It is left to the people themselves to choose how to act, how to use power, and thus how to uphold the government.
"Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land" (D&C 58:21). Government is a tool for enacting and keeping order. Order is an eternal principle. God is a God of order: His Kingdom has order and his Gospel has order.
"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, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign" (D&C 134:1-3).
It is our responsibility then, to use our individual voices to uphold equity and justice within whatever country we live. In a republic like the United States, we can do so by voting for civil officers who we feel best represent our interests and the overall welfare of this country. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is not just my personal beliefs or a patriotic gesture: this is my moral and religious responsibility, and one that I'm grateful for.
Coming Soon (the last one!): {Article of Faith #13} What words would you use to describe Mormons?
It is our responsibility then, to use our individual voices to uphold equity and justice within whatever country we live. In a republic like the United States, we can do so by voting for civil officers who we feel best represent our interests and the overall welfare of this country. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is not just my personal beliefs or a patriotic gesture: this is my moral and religious responsibility, and one that I'm grateful for.
Coming Soon (the last one!): {Article of Faith #13} What words would you use to describe Mormons?
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