What Do Prophets Say About Freedom and Liberty?

The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns prophetic teachings about liberty, freedom of choice, and America being a promised land. In 2 Nephi 1, the prophet Lehi reminded his family that they were living in “a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands” (verse 5). He continued by saying that “there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord” (verse 6). Second Nephi 1:7 states:

Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

Jacob continued teaching his family about freedom of choice, or agency, which is essential for progression and growth. In 2 Nephi 2:25-27, Lehi teaches the following:

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

These verses tell us that each spirit child of God comes into mortality with agency, the freedom to choose how they will live on earth. Each is given the opportunity to choose to live righteously and keep the commandments of God, or to choose captivity and death. Anyone who is addicted to something – drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography, or any number of other things – is in captivity to whatever point that they can choose to not partake of the substance.

Other prophets and leaders taught about freedom and liberty. Captain Moroni was the military leader during a time of war. Evil men were seeking to destroy the church and to take away freedom of liberty. Alma 46:11-13 explains the actions of Captain Moroni.

11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.

12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land --

There is a difference between spiritual agency (choices between good and evil) which is a gift from God when we enter mortality, and civic freedom (political liberty and government). However, agency and civic freedom come together at certain times. We exercise our agency when we enter a voting booth or otherwise fill out election ballots. We are free to choose whoever we desire to represent us; however, we are not free to choose the consequences of our choices. 

When people vote for socialists or radical Islamists over constitutional principles, they should not be surprised when they start losing freedoms. The further the United States goes down the road toward socialism, communism, or Islamic principles, securing true liberty will be more difficult. Once freedom is lost in America, it can be regained only through the shedding of blood.