Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Some Responsibilities of Citizenship

Certainly an appropriate occasion to seriously consider comments offered in other years, on this day of celebration of independence and freedom in this great country

Elder Oaks shares his concern about the future of the rights and privileges we enjoy as citizens of this country, and admonishes us to turn to "responsible personal conduct" as a the only legitimate means to promote and preserve our heritage.

Quoting from the previous year's speech by Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

Our whole society really rests on the capacity of its citizens to give 'obedience to the unenforceable.'

Elder Oaks observes that these days it is popular to speak of "rights".  He suggests that the security of the rights of citizens is dependent in measure on how we meet the corresponding responsibilities.

He addresses three particular responsibilities that represent current issues:

• serving in the military
• paying taxes
• participating in democratic government.

In preface, he refers to the general responsibility of followers of Christ, and particularly LDS, to recognize and be supportive of civil authority.  Citing several of the admonitions of Paul, as well as the LDS 12th Article of Faith, and other scriptural references,

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work (Titus 3:1)

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  (Romans 13:1)

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.  (Articles of Faith:12)

We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.  (Doctrine and Covenants 134:6)

Elder Oaks warns,

Church members who seek to use LDS doctrine as a basis for concluding that government infringements on inalienable rights have excused them from obeying the law seem to have forgotten the principle of following the prophets. Until the prophets invoke this principle, faithful members will also refrain from doing so. We remain committed to uphold our governments and to obey their laws.

Regarding the belief of some who voice their objection to the first two things mentioned, Elder Oaks points out, "Both claim that the government compulsion to do these unpopular things interferes with freedom".  They commonly conflate the issues of freedom and slavery.  He points out that Jesus never advocated for freeing slaves, though slavery was common practice in his day.

These objections contradict the familiar teaching of Jesus,

...Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.  (Matthew 22:21)

Citizens are not free to choose which laws they consider themselves not subject to, and which they opt to obey.  This rationale to justify disobedience to the laws of the land is not far removed from justification for disobeying the laws of God.

With regard to taxes, he quotes from Will Rogers,

 We're just lucky we're not gettin' all the government we're payin' for!

He mentions being contacted by a number of LDS-affiliated tax protesters over the years, who justified their non-compliance with various rationales.  But he cautions that an LDS member

...who refuses to file a tax return, to pay required income taxes, or to comply with a final judgment in a tax case is in direct conflict with the law and with the teachings of the Church....If a member disapproves of tax laws, he may attempt to have them changed by legislation or constitutional amendment, or, if he has a well-founded legal objection, he may challenge them in the courts.

He discounts the legitimacy of arguments based on

• peephole history
• selective readings of historic documents
• advice of persons who advocate private armies
• collection of heavy weapons
• extraordinary quantities of private arms
• draft avoidance
• tax evasion
• eccentric theories

Elder Oaks promotes greater citizen participation to resolve three major problems: 

• ever-increasing massive national deficits
• reacquire state powers and initiatives usurped by the federal government
• reestablish the principle of limited federal government powers.

One caveat to citizen participation is a warning to avoid "single interest groups". In applying political pressure to address specific issues, these specialized "single interest groups" tend to lose broader focus on what can be the solution of the large general problems that affect the entire body politic.

He warns, "...we must not go into blocking tactics when a representative body fails to satisfy us fully on our favorite special interest".  Americans are well advised to support the best that can be obtained in the circumstances that prevail.  While this represents unacceptable compromise in the view of some, most important historic government and political developments have been enacted in such a fashion.

Oaks lists a number of possible acceptable ways citizens can participate in supporting good government:

• Celebrations of citizenship, patriotism, and national holidays and values.

• Volunteer work in public institutions.

• Assisting private education at all levels.

• Working with activity and athletic programs for young people.

• Supporting and helping in charitable projects.

• Helping to clean up the air, water, and soil.

With regard to the superficial "hero" status our society invests in modern "stars", Elder Oaks observes that the true hero is seldom seen pursuing "rights", but that most often the real hero is characterized by "distinction in the fulfillment of responsibilities".

Every citizen has the potential for achieving epic heroic status by finding the best within each of us.

We all have to be heroes!

The United Order, taxes and wealth

The scriptures do have a lot to say about riches and wealth. A lot of Mormon people are misled or confused by the current economic situation. We worry about the future.

Fortunately, we have inspired counsel to guide us through troubled times, and confusing issues.








In his conference talk of April, 1977, Elder Marion G. Romney instructs regarding the history or the Lord's program for the church, the United Order.


(The Purpose of Church Welfare Services, Ensign, May 1977).

Whenever the Lord has had a people who would accept and live the gospel, He has established the united order. He established it among the people of Enoch, of whom the record says:

“The Lord blessed the land, and they were blessed upon the mountains, and upon the high places, and did flourish.

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” (Moses 7:17–18)

If we will do the things the Lord has asked us to do, we too will continue to be blessed and will grow in righteousness. In the revelation that the Prophet specified as “embracing the law of the Church”, the Lord said:

“Behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them. …

“And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors. …

“And it shall come to pass, that after they are laid before the bishop of my church, … it shall be kept to administer to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.

“Therefore, the residue shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy.” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:30–34)

“And this I do,” said the Lord, “for the salvation of my people.” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:36)

In this revelation, which the Prophet designated the “law of the Church,” the Lord revealed the essentials of the united order, which was His program for eliminating the inequalities among men. It is based upon the underlying concept that the earth and all things therein belong to the Lord, and that men hold earthly possessions as stewards accountable to Him.

Romney further asserts,

These divine principles are very simple and easily understood. However, there are a number of concepts which must prevail in order for this ideal to be realized. Chief among these concepts are the following:

1. A belief in God and acceptance of Him as Lord of the earth and the author of the united order. Through it we seek righteousness and spiritual development. “For,” declared the Lord, “if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;

“For if you will,” he continued, “that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you. …

“That you may come up unto the crown prepared for you, and be made rulers over many kingdoms, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Zion.” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:6–7, 15)

2. The united order is implemented by the voluntary freewill actions of men, evidenced by a consecration of all their property to the Church of God. No force of any kind is ever involved.

3. As to property, in harmony with Church belief as set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants, “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, [and] the right and control of property.” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:2) The united order is operated upon the principle of private ownership and individual management. Thus, in both ownership and management of property, the united order preserved to men their God-given agency. In this way, He holds each steward accountable for his own work and productivity. Indeed, He said:

“For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures.” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:13.)

You can see from this the truth of President Clark’s statement when he said:

“The Church never was, and under existing commandments never will be, a communal society, under the directions thus far given by the Lord. The United Order was not communal nor communistic. It was completely and intensely individualistic, with a consecration of unneeded surpluses for the support of the Church and the poor.” (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., “The United Order and Law of Consecration As Set Out in the Revelations of the Lord,” from a pamphlet of articles reprinted from the Church Section of the Deseret News, 1942, pp. 26–27.)

4. The united order is nonpolitical. It is therefore totally unlike the various forms of socialism, which are political, both in theory and in practice. They are thus exposed to, and riddled by, the corruption which plagues and finally destroys all political governments which undertake to abridge man’s agency.

5. A righteous people is a prerequisite to the united order.

6. The united order exalts the poor and humbles the rich. In the process both are sanctified. The poor, released from the bondage and humiliating limitations of poverty, are enabled as free men to rise to their full potential, both temporally and spiritually. The rich, by consecration and by imparting of their surplus for the benefit of the poor, not by constraint, but willingly as an act of free will, evidence that charity for their fellowmen characterized by Mormon as “the pure love of Christ.” (Moroni 7:47) In this way they qualify to “become the sons of God.” (Moroni 7:48)

With these concepts in mind, we are better prepared to understand how our present Welfare Services efforts relate to the united order and the full ideal of Zion which the Lord has in mind to bring about. Because the people were not then fully ready to live the united order, the Lord suspended it, because, as He said:

“They have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

“And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

“And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:3–5)

He further indicated that:

“It is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season for the redemption of Zion—

“That they themselves may be prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands.” (Doctrine and Covenants 105:9–10)

Full implementation of the united order must, according to the revelation, await the redemption of Zion. (See D&C 105:34.) In the meantime—while we are being more perfectly taught and are gaining experience—we should be strictly living the principles of the united order insofar as they are embodied in present Church requirements, such as tithing, fast offerings, welfare projects, storehouses, and other principles and practices. Through these programs we should, as individuals, implement in our own lives the bases of the united order

Romney quotes from President Kimball regarding physical needs,

Many people spend most of their time working in the service of a self-image that includes sufficient money, stocks, bonds, investment portfolios, property, credit cards, furnishings, automobiles, and the like to guarantee carnal security throughout, it is hoped, a long and happy life. Forgotten is the fact that our assignment is to use these many resources in our families and quorums to build up the kingdom of God—to further the missionary effort and the genealogical and temple work; to raise our children up as fruitful servants unto the Lord; to bless others in every way, that they may also be fruitful. Instead, we expend these blessings on our own desires, and as Moroni said, ‘Ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not.’ (Mormon 8:39)

“As the Lord himself said in our day, ‘They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.’ (Doctrine and Covenants 1:16) (President Spencer W. Kimball, The False Gods We Worship)