Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Doctrine and Covenants 98:5-7

"And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil."
Doctrine and Covenants 98:5-7


I think it is interesting that God takes a stand here in favor of the constitution.  It's very limited, but it shows one of the benefits of modern revelation.  Instead of only having "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s" and similar guidance, we have more.  I also think it is interesting that God tells us that more or less than this cometh of evil... both more and less.  Not sure if that means things that tend toward bigger government, and things that tend toward less government/anarchy, but maybe.  As with all things, we have to find the right balance.  We know that God values freedom/free agency, personal responsibility, honesty, selflessness, kindness, mercy... encourages us to love other people, everywhere as we love ourselves.  To do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  To not judge unrighteously.  But how do we apply those things to government?  To laws?  Sometimes the direct applications are hard to find even in our normal daily lives, let alone the bigger societal concerns.  Today, let's embrace the constitutional law of the land, and learn more about it.  And let's try to figure out how God's guidance fits into more aspects of our everyday lives. 

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