My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 133-134 and a lesson titled “Prepare Ye for the Coming of the Bridegroom.” The lesson was introduced by the following information.
In
1833, mobs attacked and destroyed the Church’s printing press. Among the print
jobs in progress at the time was the Book of Commandments—the Church’s first
attempt to compile God’s latter-day revelations into one volume. The mob
scattered the unbound pages, and although courageous Saints preserved some of
them, only a few incomplete copies of the Book of Commandments are known to
have survived.
What
we now know as section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants was meant to be
the appendix to the Book of Commandments, like an exclamation point at the end
of the Lord’s published revelations. It warns of a coming day of judgment and
repeats the call found throughout modern revelation: Flee worldliness, as
symbolized by Babylon. Build Zion. Prepare for the Second Coming. And spread
this message “unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (verse 37).
The original plans for the Book of Commandments were not fulfilled, but this
revelation is a reminder and a witness that the Lord’s work will go forward,
“for he shall make bare his holy arm … , and all the ends of the
earth shall see the salvation of their God” (verse 3).
This
scripture block contains the following principles: (1) Jesus Christ calls me to
reject Babylon and come to Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 133:4-14), (2) I can
prepare now for the Savior’s Second Coming (Doctrine and Covenants 133:1-19,
37-39), (3) The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be joyful for the righteous
(Doctrine and Covenants 133:19-56, and (4) “Governments were instituted of God
for the benefit of man” (Doctrine and Covenants 134). This essay will discuss
the fourth principle about governments.
The
early Saints’ relationship with government was complex. When the Saints were
forced out of Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833, they asked for help from the
local and national government and received none. At the same time, some people
outside the Church interpreted teachings about Zion to mean that the Saints
rejected the authority of earthly governments. Doctrine and Covenants 134 clarified the Church’s position on government.
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 We believe that religion
is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only,
for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe
upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law
has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the
consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the
civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should
punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
5 We believe that all
men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in
which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by
the laws of such governments;…
6 We believe that every
man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such,
being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the
guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and
deference….
7 We believe that
rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for
the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their
religious belief;…
8 We believe that the
commission of crime should be punished according to the nature
of the offense;…
9 We do not believe it
just to mingle religious influence with civil government,…
10 We believe that all
religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly
conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies;… They
can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their
fellowship.
11 We believe that men
should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and
grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or
character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we
believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their
friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and
encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal
cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
12 We believe it just to preach the
gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves
from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere
with bond-servants,…
The
position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints towards governments
is further clarified Articles of Faith 1:11 and 1:12.
11 We claim the privilege of
worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of
our own conscience, and
allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how,
where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings,
presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying,
honoring, and sustaining the law.
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