I voted yesterday. On Sunday, I told my children that voting is almost a spiritual experience for me. It is an honor to gather with fellow citizens to participate in such an important process—the foundation of a democratic system of government. I feel a form of reverence as I engage in a process by which... Continue Reading →
Cyrus
About a hundred years before the Babylonian Captivity, Isaiah described how it would end. He named a specific individual who would send the people back to Jerusalem and support them in rebuilding the temple: Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb...That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to... Continue Reading →
King-men
Why would a person vote to eliminate their own freedom? I've been intrigued the past couple of weeks by the children of Israel, who insisted on having a king, even after the prophet Samuel warned them of the terrible consequences of this decision: Their children would suffer, they would lose control over their possessions, and... Continue Reading →
The Voice of the People
When the prophet Samuel was old, he tried to appoint his sons to succeed him as leaders over Israel. But the Israelites were not willing to follow his sons, and they requested that he appoint a king. Samuel was troubled. He didn't think it wise to give one person that much power, and he thought... Continue Reading →
Governed by the Law
"Let no man break the laws of the land," said the Lord in an 1831 revelation to Joseph Smith, "for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:21). Jesus taught the same principle during His earthly ministry, "Render...unto Caesar the things which... Continue Reading →
The Constitution
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi describes an expansive vision in which he viewed many future events. One of those was the immigration of Europeans suffering religious persecution to the American continent and the establishment of the United States of America: I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out... Continue Reading →
King-Men and Freedom of Speech
Words matter. Words have an impact, for good or for evil. Jesus said, "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). And Alma warned the people of Ammonihah, some of whom were guilty of deceiving others, "Our words will condemn us" (Alma 12:24).... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Elections?
Shortly before his death, in about the year 91 B.C., King Mosiah announced to his people that he would have no successor. None of his sons wanted to be king, and he had been horrified to hear about the suffering caused by an unrighteous king named Noah. To prevent such a situation arising again, Mosiah... Continue Reading →
“Every Man According to His Mind” – Alma 2:5
Lehi taught his sons that they were free to make choices—including choices which would reduce that freedom. He urged them to choose liberty, not captivity (2 Nephi 2:26-29). About five years after King Mosiah abolished the monarchy and established a government "by the voice of the people" (Mosiah 29:26), a man named Amlici tried to... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Corruption?
King Benjamin set the standard for political leadership when he reported to his people at the end of his reign that he had conscientiously labored to serve them and avoided taking advantage of his role for personal gain (Mosiah 2:12-15). His son Mosiah followed his example (Mosiah 6:6-7). But when the people of King Limhi... Continue Reading →