Agency
He wanted to force everyone to do the right thing all the time instead of agency to choose for ourselves.
Who is Satan, or Lucifer?
As revealed to Joseph Smith, God had a hand in establishing this document, for the rights and privileges of all mankind.
Thomas Jefferson coined the term _________ of church and state.
What is separation?
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, ... I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.”
This article of faith declares a belief that everyone should be allowed to practice religion “according to the dictates of their own conscience.”
What is the 11th Article of Faith?
Citizens exercise their power through this, rather than mob violence.
What is the power of their elected representatives?
The opposite of "to act" according to Lehi.
What is "to be acted upon"?
2 Nephi 2:26 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.
This amendment to the Constitution states that Congress cannot make any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
What is the First Amendment?
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
George Washington said that while fighting for this, “we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others.”
What is liberty?
"While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable."
This prophet declared his willingness to die to defend the rights of others to exercise their religion.
Who is Joseph Smith?
“I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.
It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul—civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race.”
Adherence to this by people and leaders alike, protects moral agency for all.
What is the Rule of Law?
Consistent with the principle of Moral Agency, it is wrong for citizens to have no voice in these things.
What is the selection of their rulers or the making of their laws?
The stipulation that religion cannot be used as a prequalification to hold office is the only time religion is mentioned in the originally ratified version of this document.
What is the Constitution?
Article VI, clause 3:
“…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
James Madison stated that the Constitution forbids “everything like an establishment” of this.
What is a national religion?
“The Constitution of the U.S. forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion.”
President Christofferson said that religious liberty allows a diverse people to live together in this.
What is peace?
“For centuries, people fought over religious differences, often with government suppressing one religion in the name of another. Religious liberty has allowed people of diverse religious traditions to live together in peace and friendship despite profound disagreements. … Governments that protect religious freedom have fewer social conflicts and greater levels of social cohesion.”
According to President Oaks, we should exercise our influence civilly and peacefully within the framework of these.
What are our constitutions and applicable laws?
The source of agency, according to the scriptures.
Who is God?
Helaman 14:30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
The source of agency, according to the Declaration of Independence.
Who is God?
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
This Founding Father colorfully declared that allowing others to hold differing religious beliefs “neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”
President Oaks said that it is important we learn to live respectfully with people who have these type of differences.
What are religious differences?
“When citizens learn to live together with respect—despite important religious differences—they are also more likely to live peacefully with others with whom they have important secular differences.”
Mosiah warns against choosing this type of leader.
Faith is the first principle of the Gospel, but this is required in order to have faith.
What is freedom of religion?
According to the Declaration of Independence, governments derive power from this.
What is the people?
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
John Adams said that our Constitution was made for a moral and ______ people.
What is religious?
In acting on political matters, President Oaks has counseled that we decide our own priorities and then do this.
What is seek inspiration?
President Oaks counsels to choose political leaders who support principles of this document.
What is the Constitution?