Liberty and Freedom

Liberty and Freedom are precious gifts from God to his children. However, our constant vigilance and care is needed to maintain them. The Lord taught the Prophet Joseph Smith that three things need to be in order to maintain freedom. When these three things are out of balance freedom is in jeopardy.

(D&C 98:4-11)
4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

5 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.

6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.

8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.

9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.

10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God.

From the above we are taught that the three things necessary to maintain freedom are:
1. The laws must be Constitutional.

2. Those administering the law must be - Good, Wise, and Honest.

3. Those being governed (us) must forsake all evil and cleave to all good and live by every word that comes from God.

Concerning number one, the Prophet Joseph Smith had this to say in 1843:

"The different states, and even Congress itself, have passed many laws diametrically contrary to the Constitution of the United States."
(Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.278)

Concerning number two, we as a nation have just passed though a period where we debated whether or not our leaders needed to be moral as long as their administrative skills were good. Some concluded that character did not count.

Concerning number three, our founding fathers taught, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (John Adams)