This week our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to D&C 133-134. We discuss the appendix, the role of governments, and the responsibility of citizens. Study with me!
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Showing posts with label #citizenship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #citizenship. Show all posts
Sunday, November 14, 2021
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Government shutdowns and doing the church's job
Social media has been talking about the government shutdown for several days. More conservative posts will vilify Senate Majority Leader Reid and President Obama. More liberal posts will vilify Senator Cruz, Senator Paul, and Senator Lee. The majority of posts in the middle will blame all of congress, and blame their apparent lack of ability to compromise.
Of course, the truth is that congress actually represents the views of the people in the United States. The liberals were specifically elected to enact social government programs and expand the role of government in providing goods and services to individuals in lower income brackets. Conservatives in congress were specifically elected to stop the expansion of government that has happened under both Republicans and Democrats since the 1930s. If either side of the aisle agrees to a compromise, they will essentially be breaking the promises made to their constituents.
It is easy to say that congress is filled with people that will not compromise, but the harder truth is that the United States of America is filled with people that are polarized beyond the point of compromise. Ideals of more government and less government are mutually exclusive. Blaming a government of representatives returns the blame to the people who are being represented.
The real question is how did the United States get to the point where we could not agree on government? I suggest that the root of the issue is that the government has progressively taken on more tasks that have been in the domain of religion. Well-meaning liberals want the government to aid the poor using income from the rich. Certainly there are tremendous gaps in the income between the wealthiest 1% and the 99% of the population below as the "occupy" movements point out. It is not difficult to see why people feel that this is unfair, and that those who are struggling might benefit from the resources of those who are not struggling. In the past, it was the role of churches to persuade the population that compassion for their fellow men was as critical to their well-being as it was to the well-being of those in need. In modern times, the government passes laws to try to take more and more of the money of those in high income brackets to fund programs intended to benefit those in lower income brackets. In other words, the state has become like a mandatory church.
Liberals have argued that if the government did not compel the wealthy to contribute to the poor, then they would not do it. Certainly, that is possible. A person granted freedom does not always use their freedom to make responsible decisions. In spite of this, there exist a large number of foundations, charities, and churches that rely exclusively on the donations of generous individuals that seem to be doing fairly well. Certainly many of the liberals who campaign enjoy fundraisers with Hollywood celebrities and benefit from voluntary donations from wealthy individuals in amounts that could help millions of struggling families. Perhaps liberals are too quick to judge the motives of those in a position to help.
If additional motivation is an issue, government ought to ensure that religions are as free as possible to persuade people to make positive moral choices. Throwing religion out of every aspect of government has given atheist activists great pleasure, but there are few calls from these activists to throw the government out of religion.
I suggest that not only can a more religious society better unite and provide for its citizens, it already has.
The prophet Mormon wrote of the time after Christ came to the people of ancient America and united them with religion using the following words:
"And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift... And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God." (4 Nephi 1:2-3,16-17)
In other words, almost every problem that is currently expected to be solved by the government was solved by people leading religious lives. Poverty was eliminated because people were generous and compassionate toward one another voluntarily. Crime was eliminated because people were religious enough that no one desired to commit crime.
The problems that eventually made their way into this society occurred when people began to leave religion. In the absence of motivation to make moral choices from recognizing religious authority, the people stopped making moral choices, and every vice enumerated in the passage above returned.
In the end, the solution to stalemates and arguments in government or in other aspects of life is the same as it has always been: Christianity. If each individual could themselves be more generous, more kind, more honest, more humble, more chaste, more virtuous, and more religious... the disagreements that divide us would be less important than the moral strength that binds us.
I believe that this Utopian society is not only achievable, but inevitable. Jesus Christ will personally reign on the earth and usher in a glorious age of peace and happiness throughout the entire world. Of course, it is not necessary to wait for his coming before adopting the principles that make bad men good and good men better... I invite all who come here not to postpone heeding the call of Jesus Christ:
"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." (3 Nephi 9:14)
Of course, the truth is that congress actually represents the views of the people in the United States. The liberals were specifically elected to enact social government programs and expand the role of government in providing goods and services to individuals in lower income brackets. Conservatives in congress were specifically elected to stop the expansion of government that has happened under both Republicans and Democrats since the 1930s. If either side of the aisle agrees to a compromise, they will essentially be breaking the promises made to their constituents.
It is easy to say that congress is filled with people that will not compromise, but the harder truth is that the United States of America is filled with people that are polarized beyond the point of compromise. Ideals of more government and less government are mutually exclusive. Blaming a government of representatives returns the blame to the people who are being represented.
The real question is how did the United States get to the point where we could not agree on government? I suggest that the root of the issue is that the government has progressively taken on more tasks that have been in the domain of religion. Well-meaning liberals want the government to aid the poor using income from the rich. Certainly there are tremendous gaps in the income between the wealthiest 1% and the 99% of the population below as the "occupy" movements point out. It is not difficult to see why people feel that this is unfair, and that those who are struggling might benefit from the resources of those who are not struggling. In the past, it was the role of churches to persuade the population that compassion for their fellow men was as critical to their well-being as it was to the well-being of those in need. In modern times, the government passes laws to try to take more and more of the money of those in high income brackets to fund programs intended to benefit those in lower income brackets. In other words, the state has become like a mandatory church.
Liberals have argued that if the government did not compel the wealthy to contribute to the poor, then they would not do it. Certainly, that is possible. A person granted freedom does not always use their freedom to make responsible decisions. In spite of this, there exist a large number of foundations, charities, and churches that rely exclusively on the donations of generous individuals that seem to be doing fairly well. Certainly many of the liberals who campaign enjoy fundraisers with Hollywood celebrities and benefit from voluntary donations from wealthy individuals in amounts that could help millions of struggling families. Perhaps liberals are too quick to judge the motives of those in a position to help.
If additional motivation is an issue, government ought to ensure that religions are as free as possible to persuade people to make positive moral choices. Throwing religion out of every aspect of government has given atheist activists great pleasure, but there are few calls from these activists to throw the government out of religion.
I suggest that not only can a more religious society better unite and provide for its citizens, it already has.
The prophet Mormon wrote of the time after Christ came to the people of ancient America and united them with religion using the following words:
"And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift... And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God." (4 Nephi 1:2-3,16-17)
In other words, almost every problem that is currently expected to be solved by the government was solved by people leading religious lives. Poverty was eliminated because people were generous and compassionate toward one another voluntarily. Crime was eliminated because people were religious enough that no one desired to commit crime.
The problems that eventually made their way into this society occurred when people began to leave religion. In the absence of motivation to make moral choices from recognizing religious authority, the people stopped making moral choices, and every vice enumerated in the passage above returned.
In the end, the solution to stalemates and arguments in government or in other aspects of life is the same as it has always been: Christianity. If each individual could themselves be more generous, more kind, more honest, more humble, more chaste, more virtuous, and more religious... the disagreements that divide us would be less important than the moral strength that binds us.
I believe that this Utopian society is not only achievable, but inevitable. Jesus Christ will personally reign on the earth and usher in a glorious age of peace and happiness throughout the entire world. Of course, it is not necessary to wait for his coming before adopting the principles that make bad men good and good men better... I invite all who come here not to postpone heeding the call of Jesus Christ:
"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." (3 Nephi 9:14)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Highest Appeal
After being put before kings and rulers in various places for his supposed crimes against the empire, the Apostle Paul was asked whether he would go to Jerusalem to be tried by Festus. Paul knew there was no chance of a fair trial in the place where all the enemies of Christianity had purposed to murder him. Although he was a prisoner, he was also a Roman citizen. As such, he had a right to bypass the requests of the local rulers' political posturing and have his case heard before the one who was supposed to look out for all Romans... Caesar himself.
In answer to Festus, Paul invoked this right. He declared "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." (Acts 25:10-11)
Although Festus had hoped to win political favor with the Jews by bringing him to Jerusalem, there was only one response he could give. After he conferred with the council he replied "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go." (Acts 25:12)
Although Paul was eventually killed in spite of his Roman citizenship and appeal to the greatest defender of Rome, there is an important principle that can be seen here. The concept of the highest appeal is one of the most valuable rights of any citizenship. The ideal of having the ultimate defender of citizenship judge a case is meant to remove the impact of ambitions. Judges in the highest court can advance no higher, and have only the law and the precedent set by judges in the same position.
While the legal implications of this policy are important, there is a spiritual application that is far more important.
The sons of men are as citizens in a great kingdom. Most Christians believe that we are the children of God. Paul suggested that we are not only children, but heirs. (Romans 8:17) Elsewhere he equates sainthood as citizenship. (Ephesians 2:19)
As in earthly kingdoms and empires of old, citizenship in the Kingdom of God implies certain rights. Perhaps one of the greatest of these is the highest appeal. If at any time, you feel you are treated unfairly, you require counsel, you lack wisdom, or you have nowhere else to turn, it is your right as a human being to call upon and be heard by the highest judge: God himself.
There is no complicated appeals process. There is no need for legal counsel. There is no lengthy wait before your case can be heard. The method is surprisingly simple given the great power it represents. It is called prayer.
To think that at any time, any one can simply call upon the Most High God that forged the great plan of salvation, and sacrificed his only begotten son can be accessed for matters as trivial as lost keys, requests for food nourishment, and petitions for help remembering studied materials during examinations. Of course, he also hears prayers for matters such as healing a loved one of a grievous illness, answers and comfort for those that have lost loved ones, pleading for help to overcome regretted acts, or requests on behalf of those that are in distress or despair. No request is too large, or too small.
Not only are men able to do this, but they are encouraged to do so. Jesus Christ taught "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11)
Let no man neglect or attempt to diminish the value of this gift of Heaven... Prayer can be more than a repetitive vocal wish list... it is the power to talk to God... it is the highest appeal.
In answer to Festus, Paul invoked this right. He declared "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." (Acts 25:10-11)
Although Festus had hoped to win political favor with the Jews by bringing him to Jerusalem, there was only one response he could give. After he conferred with the council he replied "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go." (Acts 25:12)
Although Paul was eventually killed in spite of his Roman citizenship and appeal to the greatest defender of Rome, there is an important principle that can be seen here. The concept of the highest appeal is one of the most valuable rights of any citizenship. The ideal of having the ultimate defender of citizenship judge a case is meant to remove the impact of ambitions. Judges in the highest court can advance no higher, and have only the law and the precedent set by judges in the same position.
While the legal implications of this policy are important, there is a spiritual application that is far more important.
The sons of men are as citizens in a great kingdom. Most Christians believe that we are the children of God. Paul suggested that we are not only children, but heirs. (Romans 8:17) Elsewhere he equates sainthood as citizenship. (Ephesians 2:19)
As in earthly kingdoms and empires of old, citizenship in the Kingdom of God implies certain rights. Perhaps one of the greatest of these is the highest appeal. If at any time, you feel you are treated unfairly, you require counsel, you lack wisdom, or you have nowhere else to turn, it is your right as a human being to call upon and be heard by the highest judge: God himself.
There is no complicated appeals process. There is no need for legal counsel. There is no lengthy wait before your case can be heard. The method is surprisingly simple given the great power it represents. It is called prayer.
To think that at any time, any one can simply call upon the Most High God that forged the great plan of salvation, and sacrificed his only begotten son can be accessed for matters as trivial as lost keys, requests for food nourishment, and petitions for help remembering studied materials during examinations. Of course, he also hears prayers for matters such as healing a loved one of a grievous illness, answers and comfort for those that have lost loved ones, pleading for help to overcome regretted acts, or requests on behalf of those that are in distress or despair. No request is too large, or too small.
Not only are men able to do this, but they are encouraged to do so. Jesus Christ taught "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11)
Let no man neglect or attempt to diminish the value of this gift of Heaven... Prayer can be more than a repetitive vocal wish list... it is the power to talk to God... it is the highest appeal.
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