What Is the Connection between Discipleship and Good Citizenship?

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Americans are guaranteed many rights and freedoms simply because we are citizens of the United States of America. Many of us insist on claiming our rights but are not concerned about the responsibilities that are part of those freedoms.


            We have duties that go along with each freedom, and we must fulfill those duties to be good citizens. For example, the first freedom listed in the Bill of Rights is Freedom of Religion. This means that we are free to think and believe as we choose, and it also means that we are free to express and act upon those thoughts and beliefs. It means that we are free to live our religion privately and in public. The duty that goes along with this freedom is that we must allow all other people to exercise their freedom of religion in the same ways.


            Another freedom given to Americans but not listed in the Bill of Rights is the freedom to choose our own political parties and political leaders. We are free to choose the policies and platforms that we will support. The duty that goes along with this freedom is the duty to exercise our right to vote. As good citizens, we will study the issues and problems facing our community, state, and nation, and we will exercise our agency to choose those people who we think will do the best job for us. Part of this duty is to allow all other people to make their own choices and vote in the way that they choose. The final duty in this regard is to accept the will of the people and to support the people who win the election.


            Disciples of Jesus Christ understand His teachings to “render under Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates and in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (Articles of Faith 1:12). We also believe that the Constitution was written by good men who were raised up by God to perform that task (Doctrine and Covenants 101:80). We believe that God expects us to honor and respect the Constitution and to be good citizens. We believe that good disciples are also good citizens of their nation. Therefore, discipleship and good citizenship go together.