This Country Will Never Fail

Another timely reprint: this article was first published in June of 2010. It seems just as pertinent today. I was inclined to apologize for the length of this article, but on second thought, it is probably not long enough.

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I have read a great deal recently about the dire straits our great country is passing through.

I have read that our present leadership will, in fairly short order, cause the demise of democracy as we know it, that we should probably start building underground shelters again, and stockpile food, weapons, and ammunition against the coming anarchy.

I have read that some ultra conservatives even advocate violence to stop what they perceive as a threat to our liberties.

I have read that the U.S. and world economies are beyond repair and that we should hoard gold as a medium of exchange and as a hedge against the coming worldwide market collapse and hyperinflation (or deflation – you pick).

I have read of wild stock market fluctuations based on concerns about North Bubistan, the wars and rumors of wars in the world, the price of gasoline this week in southern Missouri, the conduct of governments, and maybe even the price of tea in China. We are told to buy, sell, hold, divest, invest, save, spend, increase taxes, decrease taxes, stop buying from companies that sell foreign oil, and to listen (or not listen) to various prognosticators of the future.

Most of this seems to me to be uninspired politico-babble. I don’t believe that this great country will fall to the socialists, despots, and naysayers that would change our way of life and alter the unique-in-all-history set of freedoms and protections that we enjoy. I know that our Constitution is divinely inspired. I know that the founding fathers were directed and inspired as they developed that sacred document.

I certainly feel considerable concern about current fiscal policies and about the onrushing socialism that seems to be the hidden (or not so hidden) agenda of many government officials and legislators these days.

I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to express our concerns and take action to confront the enemies of freedom wherever they are found (and some are certainly – at least in my mind – found in the halls of academia and government). I do not believe that we have the right to violate the laws of the land or the laws of common decency to do so.

We live, and our freedoms exist in this country, because of our commitment to the rule of law. The 12^th Article of Faith states the position of the Prophet of the Restoration on this subject:

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

By way of explanation of this Article, President David O. McKay, in the General Conference of April 1937, said:

The three significant words used in the 12th Article of Faith express the proper attitude of the membership of the Church toward law. These words are obey, honor and sustain.

…Obedience implies a higher attitude than mere submission, for obedience has its root in good intent…we are obedient only from a sense of right; submissive from a sense of necessity.

…in honoring the law, we look upon it as something which is above selfish desires or indulgences.

To sustain the law… is to refrain from saying or doing anything which will weaken it or make it ineffective.

We obey law from a sense of right. We honor law because of its necessity and strength to society. We sustain law by keeping it in good repute.

Part of honoring, obeying, and sustaining the law is recognition of the age-old laws of respect and common decency that must govern our voluntary actions under the law. As worrisome to me as the current direction of the country is the lack of civility and concern for those who serve, have served, and will serve at our behest. This lack is often seen in rude comments, jokes, and cartoons about incumbents and electoral candidates alike. Neither party is exempt from name-calling, derision, satire, or outright slander toward the other party or its own party members.

Case in point: at the recent Utah Republican Convention, Senator Bob Bennett, a good man, a man who served his state and his nation with conservative distinction (regardless of what you think about some of his votes – he did) was booed and heckled as the votes were counted for nomination of the next senatorial candidate. Senator Bennett was not selected as the Republican candidate. It is not the question of his worthiness to serve, but the lack of civility on the part of the delegates that was most unnerving to me. There is no reason for such conduct. Disagreement with his policies and votes is certainly acceptable, but such uncouth behavior is certainly not. A Salt Lake Tribune Article of 8 May 2010 said:

“When it was announced that Bennett had been eliminated from the race, a huge ovation swept through the convention hall and there were hoots and shouts of "He's gone! He's gone!" Other delegates hugged and tea party members waved their yellow ‘Do Not Tread on Me’ flags.”

To their credit, the Republican Party chairman and the winning candidate were very complimentary about the Senator’s service.

The 12th Article of Faith is canonized scripture, as is Section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants – a detailed statement of the LDS position in relation to law and government. The opening explanation reads:

“A declaration of belief regarding governments and laws, adopted at a general assembly of the Church, Kirtland, Ohio, August 17, 1835. History of the Church 2:247-49.”

Verses 1 and 2 read:

“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.”

“We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.”

I firmly believe that the Lord will sustain this country so that the Gospel can roll forth to all the world. I do not believe that He will sustain individual actions in violation of the basic laws of decency and respect for others. I do not believe that He will support or sustain actions in direct or indirect violation of the laws of the land.

An article in the Christian Science Monitor, titled: What mood are voters in? Just ask Senator Bob Bennett.” By John Hughes, dated May 28, 2010 said:

“In a little pamphlet on civility, written on the eve of elections in 2004, Washington veteran David Abshire questioned: ‘Which is the true America? The America of division or the America of unity? The America of endless public and partisan warfare or the America of cooperation, civility, and common purpose.’  It is a question well worth revisiting.”

I am unfailingly optimistic about this country. My optimism lies in two areas: (1) Prophetic statements and (2) The innate goodness of the majority of people who are citizens of this great land.

(1) Prophetic pronouncements:

Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 365

Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.

This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the New Jerusalem. . . . This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple.

We are living in a time of great crisis. The Country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and condemnation. There are those who have downgraded the image of this nation as probably never before in the history of the country.

I plead with you not to preach pessimism.  Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. . . . It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through.

We must be on the optimistic side. This is a great nation; this is a great country; this is the most favored of all lands. While it is true that there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to stand by and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. On the contrary, we should be providing optimistic support for the nation.

Journal of Discourses, 6:36, p 368 .An Address by Elder Orson Hyde, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, July 4, 1854

In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones and remains of towns, cities and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.

This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him—was with him on the stormy deep, calmed and troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.

Benson, Ezra Taft. The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1986.

It is my conviction… that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people.

Bruce R. McConkie:
"It is our firm conviction as a people that the stars and stripes will be waving triumphantly in the breeze, as a symbol of the greatness and stability of the United States of America, when the Lord comes. This nation was established to be the Lord's base of operations in this final gospel dispensation. From it the gospel is to go to every other nation and people. The greater its influence among the nations of the world, the more rapidly the gospel spreads. But the Lord has told us that all nations, the United States included, shall cease to be when he comes" (The Millennial Messiah, 491).

(2) Innate goodness:

Harold B. Lee, The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, edited by Clyde J. Williams [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 365

You must remember . . . that this church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress of the world, and we should . . . all sound with one voice.  We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and should bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.

If we do this, we will help turn the tide of this great country and lessen the influence of the pessimists.  We must be careful that we do not say or do anything that will further weaken the country. It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. We who carry these sacred responsibilities must preach the gospel of peace, and peace can only come by overcoming the things of the world. Now, we must be the dynamic force that will help turn the tide of fear and pessimism.

I firmly believe that the Angel Moroni, the Prince of America, has not forsaken his post. Every temple erected throughout this nation carries him at its greatest height. Every temple erected radiates agency, justice, and mercy – the basis of the atonement and the gospel. Satan and his minions cannot withstand the shining beauty of the temples. He will lose. Right and decency will win. We are the “Hands of the Lord” (see President Uchtdorf’s talk in April General Conference) that will lead this great nation into the future. Be optimistic.