America and our Constitutional Crisis

Way back when the founding father decided they had to break away from England they did so because they felt they had no say in the laws, taxes and things being placed on them in the colonies.

"And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.” (1 Ne. 13:18–19.)

Thus the American colonies attained their independence and set up the government of the United States, all under the divine intervention of God in preparing this land for its divine destiny.

If They Will But Serve the God of the Land - N. Eldon Tanner April 1976

We can at times say the same thing is happening to us today.  However, they set up a divinely inspired system that includes check and balances such that we have a hard time saying that.
For those that say - I don't want those taxes or I don't believe in that war etc.   Did you vote?  Have you been involved.   When we find there is an activist judge legislating from the bench we have to decide to do something about the folks that can put someone new in his place or decide that type of person is not a suitable judge.  That is where the checks and balances comes into play.

“This is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ.” (Ether 2:12.)


Presidents and Congress have to be elected every couple of years.  They don't get the position for life.
The Supreme Court does  though that is another topic of discussion for another day.  Just think if the supreme court had to be elected every 3 years?  What kind of havoc would that create..... create a situation of campaign promises when interpreting the laws set forth by congress and ratified by the president.  I don't think that would be a very good situation.

Unfortunately, you may find that things seem to be heading into a cesspool if they have not already gotten there.  We may be dismayed by activist judges, or decisions by the Supreme Court that are so narrow they seem to be skirting the issue at hand.  You may see the president through executive order circumvent the system, or the inability of congress to agree on anything as just another sign of our demise.  Maybe so.  There is however hope.



"Unfortunately, we as a nation have apostatized in various degrees from different Constitutional principles as proclaimed by the inspired founders. We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction” (19 July 1840, as recorded by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray; ms. in Church Historian’s Office, Salt Lake City). " 
Our Divine Constitution Ezra Taft Benson President of the Church October 1987

"How then can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?

First and foremost, we must be righteous.

 

"John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (The Works of John Adams, ed. C. F. Adams, Boston: Little, Brown Co., 1851, 4:31). If the Constitution is to have continuance, this American nation, and especially the Latter-day Saints, must be virtuous.

"The Book of Mormon warns us relative to our living in this free land: “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” (2 Ne. 1:7).

 

Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.

 

"Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?

As Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be” (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 Jan. 1816).

Third, we must become involved in civic affairs to see that we are properly represented.

 

"The Lord said that “he holds men accountable for their acts in relation” to governments “both in making laws and administering them” (D&C 134:1). We must follow this counsel from the Lord: “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” (D&C 98:10).

Note the qualities that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.

Fourth, we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice.

 

"We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, politically, for a man who has influence to use it. … From henceforth I will maintain all the influence I can get” (History of the Church, 5:286).

"I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. It will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution.

Our Divine Constitution Ezra Taft Benson President of the Church October 1987

As we look to the current issues surrounding immigration we can clear see that the system is broken.

In reality it appears be that those in charge are not interested in upholding the laws on the books.  This is a country of law, the rule of law so why is it so hard to uphold the law?

Same thing could be applied in many of the situations we find ourselves in.  People have decided to selectively apply the laws that benefit their angle.   Federal judges making decisions on laws passed at the state level.  Where is their jurisdiction?

There is nothing new here really.  Want the country heading in the right direction?  Start by getting involved.  Find out who the best candidates will be - good, wise, and honest.  That means going beyond the TV or radio commercials.  Then keep them to what they promised.  Let them know how you feel.   You see to many times the press blames things on the members of congress directly.  In many if not most cases they are following the will of the people they represent.  In some cases that can clearly see a moral position needs to be taken and will in the end vote their convictions even if the majority of their district or state are voicing the opposite.    They may become a one term representative but, they have done right by God.


So take heart that the "Choice Land" is not completely in the dumps.  We may have to raise up and keep things on track but, as long as we are not asleep at the wheel things can't get to bad.

So take the bull by the horns and get involved.......

Buaidh - NO - Bas