Voting guidance given us by the Church

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"Any Christian constitutionalist who retreats from this battle jeopardizes his life here and hereafter. Seldom has so much responsibility hung on so few, so heavily; but our numbers are increasing, and we who have been warned have a responsibility to warn our neighbor." - Ezra Taft Benson

[Chucaptain of 10]

Just out of curiosity, I tried to find the most recent statement by the First Presidency on this matter. Here's a statement from February 13th:

On Tuesday, March 13, and Thursday, March 15, 2012, political parties in Utah will hold precinct caucus meetings. Precinct caucuses are the most fundamental grassroots level of political involvement. They are best served by a broad representation of Utah citizens. Those who attend play a critical role in selecting candidates for public office.

We are concerned with the decreasing attendance at these caucus meetings in Utah in recent years. We therefore ask that local leaders not schedule meetings on these Tuesday and Thursday evenings so that members may attend a caucus meeting of their choice. The locations of these meetings can be found on the websites of the respective political parties.

Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of the various political parties. We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings.

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“There are people today all over the world who in their own courageous and sometimes quiet ways are working for freedom. In many cases we will never know until the next life all they sacrificed for liberty. These patriots are receiving heaven's applause for the role they are playing, and in the long run that applause will be louder and longer than any they could receive in this world.

Which leads me to the second blind spot of those who hesitate to get into the fight. And that is their failure to realize that we will win in the long run, and for keeps, and that they pass up great blessings by not getting into the battle now when the odds are against us and the rewards are greatest.

The only questions, before the final victory, are, first, ‘What stand will each of us take in this struggle?’ and second, ‘How much tragedy can be avoided by doing something now?’

Time is on the side of truth—and truth is eternal. Those who are fighting against freedom may feel confident now, but they are shortsighted.

This is still God's world. The forces of evil, working through some mortals, have made a mess of a good part of it. But it is still God's world. In due time, when each of us has had a chance to prove ourselves-including whether or not we are going to stand up for freedom—God will interject himself, and the final and eternal victory shall be for free agency. And then shall those complacent people on the sidelines, and those who took the wrong but temporarily popular course, lament their decisions. To the patriots I say this: Take that long eternal look. Stand up for freedom, no matter what the cost. Stand up and be counted. It can help to save your soul-and maybe your country.” (Ezra Taft Benson, An Enemy Hath Done This, p. 62.)

[JoeSwissHi, I'm new.]

Just out of curiosity, I tried to find the most recent statement by the First Presidency on this matter. Here's a statement from February 13th:

Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of the various political parties. We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings.

The second line in this quote I agree with.

The first line bothers me -- to make it sound as if the platforms of the various political parties are more or less equivalent, so, doesn't matter, just go ahead and pick one, then feel good that somewhere in your choice there are compatible gospel principles. I would at least add "to a greater or lesser degree in the various platforms" -- that's still neutral, and leaves you to figure out which one has the more versus the less.

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“I believe in honest money, the gold and silver coinage of the Constitution, and a circulating medium convertible into such money without loss. I regard it as a flagrant violation of the explicit provisions of the Constitution for the federal government to make it a criminal offense to use gold or silver coin as legal tender or to issue irredeemable paper money.” (Ezra Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties, 1974.)

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"The very beginning of our troubles can be traced to the day when the federal government overstepped its proper defensive function and began to manipulate the monetary system [through]
the creation of the Federal Reserve." - Ezra Taft Benson, An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 213–14

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"No greater immediate responsibility rests upon members of the Church, upon all citizens of this Republic and of neighboring Republics, than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United States." - President David O. McKay

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land: and as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil."(D&C 98:6-7)

"We engage in the election the same as in any other principle: you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin: to vote for wicked men, it would be sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs." - Hyrum Smith (History of the Church, Vol.6, Ch.15, p. 323.)

[ktgcaptain of 100]

God raised up these (founding fathers) to perform their mission, and he called them “wise men.” (See D&C 101:80.) The First Presidency acknowledged that wisdom when they gave us the guideline a few years ago of supporting political candidates “who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our Founding Fathers.” (Deseret News, November 2, 1964.) - Ezra Taft Benson - Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints

[lundbaekcaptain of 1,000]

KTG, thank you especially for compiling all these statements on voting guidance by the Church.

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"The international gospel of the Founding Fathers was forecast by Jefferson in 1793. It was voiced by Washington in his Farewell Address in 1796, when he declared we should have “as little political connection as possible … It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world …" Nor may we overlook that great doctrine of neutrality set up under Washington himself and Jefferson and Hamilton… We have gone forward and are going forward, as if we possessed all the good of human government, of human economic concept, of human comfort, and of human welfare, all of which we are to impose on the balance of the world,— a concept born of the grossest national egotism… In values of government and law, these wars and the interminglings of men of different concepts of freedom and human rights, have brought into our own system, the despotic principles of European systems, against which the Fathers warned… All this takes us into a situation that places our destinies largely in the hands of those who appear to be urging us towards war, not peace.… It is time we returned to the political faith and work of the Fathers. It is indispensable that we do so if we are to have peace. I believe in the old faith and the old works, under which we had so much of peace. I am a political isolationist in the full sense of the term and am not fearful in declaring it.
I am a political isolationist because: I fully believe in the wisdom of the course defined by Washington, Jefferson, and other ancient statesmen. The whole history of America before and since the Revolution proves the truthfulness of their assertions. All during our pre-Revolutionary history we were at war, we were robbed, plundered, and massacred because of European wars in the issues and causes of which we had no concern. History is repeating itself...
... In my view, our whole international course and policy is basically wrong, and must be changed if peace is to come. Our policy has brought us, and pursued, will continue to bring us, only the hatred of nations now — and we cannot thrive on that, financially or spiritually — and certain war hereafter, with a list of horrors and woes we do not now even surmise. If we really want peace, we must change our course to get it. We must honestly strive for peace and quit sparring for military advantage. We must learn and practice, as a nation and as a world, the divine principles of the Sermon on the Mount. There is no other way...
We, the common people, have not been told the facts for years, since long before the last war broke. We are not now being told the facts." - J. Reuben Clark, 1947 Church News

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“Yes, it is the precepts of men versus the revealed word of God. The more we follow the word of God the less we are deceived, while those who follow the wisdom of men are deceived the most.” – Ezra Taft Benson

[ktgcaptain of 100]

"I counsel you, I urge you, I plead with you, never, so far as you have voice or influence, permit any departure from the principles of government on which this nation was founded, or any disregard of the freedoms which, by the inspiration of God our Father, were written into the Constitution of the United States." Heber J. Grant

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“Be true to the Constitution of the United States, to the Bill of Rights. Do not let any theories of immigrants or misguided politicians induce you to do anything that will deprive us of our liberties as vouchsafed by that immortal document.” – David O. McKay (Stepping Stones to an Abundant Life 112)

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“I appreciate the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights that grant unto each man individual liberty… I have nothing but contempt in my heart for men who would disgrace that flag or would mar the standards of freedom and individual liberty.” – David O. McKay

[ktgcaptain of 100]

“Teachings and ideologies subversive to the fundamental principles of this great Republic, which are contrary to the Constitution of the United States, or which are detrimental to the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be condemned, whether advocated by Republicans or Democrats.” – David O. McKay

[ktgcaptain of 100]

I have pages more but for now I'll end with this for those who continue to fight against freedom.

Helaman 8:
24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true.

25 But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment.

[Stella Solariscaptain of 1,000]

ktg - I can't thank you enough for all your posts on this thread! Bless you!

[lundbaekcaptain of 1,000]

It seems to me that in recent years we continue to be admonished to support and vote for candidates who are good, righteous, honest, etc., but nothing said any more about their being dedicated to the principles of the Constitution. Mention of the Constitution and of adherence to its principles seems to be missing. Any thoughts / opinions on why mention of the Constitution has been dropped from such admonitions ?

I'll go first. I believe the Church leadership, probably as directed by the Lord, has dropped mention of the Constitution to prevent retribution by the PTB, who intend to abolish the Constitution.

[DrJonescaptain of 1,000]

In 1992, Elder Dallin Oaks spoke on the divinely inspired Constitution:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?local ... 82620aRCRD

On Sept 17, 2010, on Constitution day, Elder Oaks spoke again on the Constitution, and in 2011 at Chapman University:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/e ... University

[ktgcaptain of 100]

It seems to me that in recent years we continue to be admonished to support and vote for candidates who are good, righteous, honest, etc., but nothing said any more about their being dedicated to the principles of the Constitution. Mention of the Constitution and of adherence to its principles seems to be missing. Any thoughts / opinions on why mention of the Constitution has been dropped from such admonitions ?

I'll go first. I believe the Church leadership, probably as directed by the Lord, has dropped mention of the Constitution to prevent retribution by the PTB, who intend to abolish the Constitution.

The latest plainly stated direction for us to support and uphold the Constitution that I can find was by Ezra Taft Benson. I believe this summarizes the reason why:

“Our lives have already become jeopardized by revealing the wicked and bloodthirsty purposes of our enemies; and for the future we must cease to do so. All we have said about them is truth, but it is not always wise to relate all the truth. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to refrain from doing so, and had to restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father’s kingdom. When still a boy He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom He possessed; but He was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger and to death. So it is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; we have the revelation of Jesus, and the knowledge within us is sufficient to organize a righteous government upon the earth, and to give universal peace to all mankind, if they would receive it, but we lack the physical strength, as did our Savior when a child, to defend our principles, and we have a necessity to be afflicted, persecuted and smitten, and to bear it patiently until Jacob is of age, then he will take care of himself.”
(Teaching of Joseph Smith. Section Six 1843-44, p.392 — June 27, 1844.)

Edited because of brain cramp.

[ktgcaptain of 100]

It seems to me that in recent years we continue to be admonished to support and vote for candidates who are good, righteous, honest, etc., but nothing said any more about their being dedicated to the principles of the Constitution. Mention of the Constitution and of adherence to its principles seems to be missing.

If you read between the lines and believe that the Constitution is required for the work of the Church to continue, this is the latest I can find:

“The Constitution under which we live, and which has not only blessed us but has become a model for other constitutions, is our God-inspired national safeguard ensuring freedom and liberty, justice and equality before the law.
I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets which we have had constantly before us.
I cannot forget the great lesson of Pharaoh’s dream of the fat and lean kine and of the full and withered stalks of corn.
I cannot dismiss from my mind the grim warnings of the Lord as set forth in the 24th chapter of Matthew.
I am familiar, as are you, with the declarations of modern revelation that the time will come when the earth will be cleansed and there will be indescribable distress, with weeping and mourning and lamentation (see D&C 112:24).
Now, I do not wish to be an alarmist. I do not wish to be a prophet of doom. I am optimistic. I do not believe the time is here when an all-consuming calamity will overtake us. I earnestly pray that it may not. There is so much of the Lord’s work yet to be done. We, and our children after us, must do it.” – Gordon B. Hinkley, “The Times in Which We Live”, Ensign, Nov. 2001, 72