| OCR Text |
Show An Understandable Religion The Kingdom Of God no departures from the government of God on earth. s KINGDOM OF GOD Of the Council of the Twelve Jesus often spoke of the kingdom of God, as a coming gov(Radio Address, Sunday May-7- , ernment on earth. He taught over 9.15 at 1944 p.m. his disciples to pray, Thy KSL ) kingdom come.1' (Matt 6.10) He under which urged his followers to seek THE government we live, wherever we are, first the kingdom of God It "T&Iatt. 6 33); and declared that la our important concern. a degree to the kingdom of God Is at large detei mines hand. (Mark 1 15) the happiness that we win from The plain meaning of this life. Religion deals, or should teaching is that while Jesus oft- erTreferred to a spiritual kingdeal, with -- alt matters affectwelfare. He also taught there Naturally, our dom," ing should be a kingdom of God therefore, it has a deep interon earth, patterned after the est in human government. The one In ljeaven, and possessing ('hutch, as the community of divine authority, Else,-wh-y , tiehevera in the gospel of Jesu3 ask denot does Jiesltateto Chust, This view Is recognized In that the kingdom come, or clare its opinion concerning many lands. The king is crowngovernmental pi mciples and ed amidsF feligiouTceremoniesf acts Did it fail to da so, it By priestly attendants, he is would he untiue to its sacred washed, anointed, blessed, and -refuse- - -h ehjccttver-The-thurc(jreS(v(j' ;n cei emonial robes. At I EAVENING Doctrines times, as recently in England, "S)f Joseph Smith is he is virtually proclaimed the the" subject of the radio head of the church. The close address to be delivered by connection between dmne and Dr. John A. Widtsoe, of human governments lk thus the Council of the Twelve, recognized The careers oLthe Sunday, Jfay 14. 1944 at nations show, however, IJiat 9 15 p frnuver KSL in Salt 3uch crowning ceremonial -Lake-City. Rs - T5, comply;--IpvsTpt'-'inirst ggTxempty forms, hav with the principles Special music approprl- ate to the "occasion imheddedTn religion, that is, The -- oiigtnal - govei nment -- of also of be' heard on this Christ go-pJesus in the men on earth, in the days of Church Hour broadcast The nme neatly a government Adam, was one embodjing the does this, the mpie serviceable ri'LUKLplcs anl JutUiomy jot .the . -Whenever dtris to of salvation. Later gov- say it wa3 at hand," or that plan a manmade law violates Gods ernments, at diverse periods, it would come- with power?1' law, the people suffer. under patriarchs and prophets, (Matk 91) Kuch conformity must go n were the same Governments The kingdom-c- f God has been neie ethical teachings; dt departed from divine rule, but defined by John Ta lor, third must lie of a religious char- copied divine forms, as the president of the Church of Jesus acter. For example, laws, re- people forsook the doctrines of Chrbt of Latter day Saints. He quiting honesty among men, the gospel, and broke the com- says- must lie enacted, not merely mandments of the Lord. The What Is the meaning of. to avoid the social confusion people always retain their free thy kingdom come?1 It means that would follow general dis- agencies, as when Israel desired the rule of God. It means the honesty, hut to obey the flam a king 1 Hearken unto the voice law of God. It means the from of the people in all that ing, divine command govern men tofGod. It m ea ns they Btiul,' 'Thou 'shalt not ' steal.1 say unto thee:for they have the people who have listened (EkhIus 2015) God must be in not rejected thee, but they have to and who are willing to any truly satisfactory govern- rejected me, that I should reign learn and to observe the comment of men. over them (I gam. 8 7) So long mandments of Jehovah . . . 1HK GOSPEL, A STANDARD as the truth of the gospel was Thy kingdom come, that the The gospel, then, becomes held in tolate in the' beliefs and confusion, the evil, and wicka standard by which the act3 of the people, there were edness, the murder and biood- value of a government, and - all its acts, may he measured and judged. Every law, regulation, and practice, may be laid, for comparison by the aide of corrrspondinif priiui -pies of reiigjon. Then, their from May 13 to nent lawyer from Boston, and THE wreek true value Will soon be disCharles Francis Adams, son of May 20, IS 4," was r covered. When this is done far. John Joseph' the time Quincy Adams. It was Prophet by every voter, he will know, He was engaged in vari- Josiah Quincy who wrote the Smith. without further need of coun-- ous temporal as well as spiritual famous statement, so often eel," how he should use his Dri May 13 There published in the pet iodicals of activities; franchise as a citizen. Saints to the efthunder showeis the Latter-daheavy ad- and legislator to Every fect that future generations l)qt President Smith vent mlnistrator should test proposed the prairie and sold several might ask, Jhvho was the greatpolicies for governing men In hundted acres of land to est and most influential AmerInstitutions, by the principles brethren who were locating ican of the nineteenth century, of religion, by the requirements near Nauvoo. The same day and the answer might well be, of the gospel. Many present he purchased 400 bushels of Joseph Smith, the Mormon and practices corn and 200 bushels ot wheat Prophet propositions The. visitors were would then drop as putnd fleshy for workers ort the Temple. greatly Impressed with the perWere Co in the body politic. On Tuesday, May 14, there sonality of the Prophet. ne that-doin legislative halls, was a meeting of Saints In the On Wednesday, May 13, the or managerial offices, the old Grove, at which time John S. Times anT Seasons, published sotes of misunderstanding and Reid, an attorney who had de- a few interesting item3 about political "contention would soon fended Joseph 'In' the early The affairs of the Church in heal, never again to open. Were days of the Church, spoke from Nauvoo. Among them there is that done, a new world of peace the stand. Little did I think, this reference to President would arise from our blood sod- he said, that I was defending Smith" world. If legls- - a boy, that would rise to emiden. hate-riye- n The Prophet is in good latnrs would - read the - Bible nence like this man a man health and "spirits, and unpublicly in their sessions, new whom God delights to honor wearied in his anxiety and light would guide them to wise as a Prophet and leader of His laborf to Instruct the Saints decisions. people one to whom He has In the things of God, and The It follows, that a perfect gov- given, The keysof heaven and . mysteries of the Kingdom of ernment would be one that . Jesus .Christ. eaith1" gospel principle, On Wednesday- .- May 15 - two have romp here fiil-e- d Such a government would be lmjiortant v i si tors came to Nau-vo- o with prejudice and strange tb see The ProphetrThey anticipations, but have been convinced that report, with were Josiah Quincy, a promi 13, 1944 Page 10-- May the kingdom of God. But, such government will not be achieved until Christ himself-cometo rule and "reign." However, ail governments, to benefit their citizens, should move towards the gospel ideal. Until that time comes, if human welfare is to be preseryed and increased, governments must seek to emulate in their enactments, and by the administration of their laws, the doctrine, principles, and practices of religion. The body of law must "be pruned ofevery thing in opposition to that ideal. That brings religion and human governments In close conjunction BY ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE a Next Subject Announced -- n ll e-ieoiil?" be-yo- 1 -- -- Last Year Of A Noble Life wilt serve as a leaven by which the whole world may be leavened. - By the Voice and labors of the 'Church, the faces of all people may be turned to- - -wards the light of eternal truth. Little by little, through the power of the priesthood, ade206) quate preparation may be made 205, This Identifies the kingdom fpr the full establishment 'of Of God with the Church of the kingdom at the coming of Christ on earth, with Christ at the Lord Jesus Christ In all th'S head They whohave this the Lord gives His help. I.n of Brigham Young: accepted the gospel, the plan the The Kingdom, of God on earth of salvation, with its attendant " ordinances, are the citizens of in a living, moving, effective the kingdom. The Church is institution, and Is governed, the incipient kingdom of God. controlled, dictated and led by The objectives and marks of the invisible God whom we the kingdom of God are those serve. (Discourses, Ed. 1941, of the Church of Christ: peace P. 24) To the coming ot this king- andgqod jwilJLamong men the Saints message of the angelic .hosts .dom, the Latter-da- y heard by the shepherds, watch-ip- look forward with confidence. thar flocks, at the birth They accept gladly the responof Christ. (Luke 2 13, 14) sibility of helping to prepare for The power of the kingdom of that coming. They pray) that God.asof theChurch,-- is a The coining may not be long depriesthood that can speak and layed act for God with authority. No NO REVOLUTIONARY otherolflcerswlirbe needed by DESIGNS the kingdom, when fully estab-lisheLet us mot bd misunderstood. for the consummatlQn.oL....1 the purposes of God. This also dom of God, the Latter-dahas been stated clearly by Saints have no revolutionary President John Taylor: designs on the existing governPRIESTHOOD RULING ments of earth On the contrary, POWER the Lord, speaking to the ProphWhen the will of God is et Joseph Smith, said, Let no done on earth as It is in heav- man bieak the laws of the land. en, that priesthood will be the for he that keepeth the laws of ed to breakthe pnJxJ,ciJitnate.ryUng.poy. e.rJ.God under the whole heavens; for law s of the land.Whereore, be every other power and influence subject to the powers that be, the until hfTTeighirw'Hbse wilt be subject righOF' is introduced, is to rergn (D & C. 58 21, 22) millennium all potentafesTpowers, and au- The Latter day Saint3 are thorities every mat), woman, taught to be a strictly and child will be in subjection people; and their histo the kingdom of God; they tory has shown that they do will be under the power and observe the laws of the land. dominion of the priesthood of there are many However, God- - then the will of God will kinds of governments. All govhe done on the eaith as It is ernments, in the last analysis, done in heaven " (The Gospel derive or should derive their Kingdom, pp. 206, 207) power and maintenance from In the Church, as establish- the people. Gocernments, to ed, with its laws, ordinances, hae a claim upon popular reand authority, lie the seeds of spect, must, therefore, be set the coming kingdom of God. up for the benefit of the peoOut of it will grow the promised ple Individual liberty "iftost kingdom with Chnstas its not be curtailed, but rigidly arid head. It will not come in anv fully pieserved. That means a other manner. Cleat ly, it be- constitutional government. Any comes then the duty of the which violates government Church to spread the gospel these etern il, righteous prinmessage over the earth. Thete-b- ciples wall not yield human the Church and its activities good People have the right to secuie The overthrow of gov-- shed that new exist among mankind may be done nwrayt and the principles of truth and right, the principles ot kindness, charity, and love as they dwell In the bosom of the Gods, may dwell with ns." (The Gospel Kingdom, pp. - - y bath-no-ne- -- ... en law-abidi- busy a-- e .. -- . y ernments that deprive their citizens of freedom. On this subject, the Lord instructed tba Prophet Joseph, as follows1 Ind that law of the land her thousand tongues is false. -- Wlillll constitutional, Instead of finding Mr. Smith that principle of free- the cunning, crafty, illiterate dom in maintaining rights character that he has been and privileges, belongs to all represented to be, they found tnankindLand Is justifiable lie- in him a gentleman and a fore ihe Therefore, I, the scholar open, generous and Lord, justify you, and your brave, biethren f my church, in be- But It s Ills immediate friending that law which It connections and associates the constitutional law of the alone that can appreciate his land; and as pertaining to law virtues and talents. While of fnan, whatsoever Is more his fare )s set as flint against or less than this cometh of iniquity from every quaFtevr evil. (D. & C. 98 5 7) the- cries of-l- he oppressed But a constitutional governever reach his heait, and his ment does not of itself profit hand is ever ready to alleviate a nation. It must be administhe suffering of the needy. tered properly, elsells inherent Late in the week. President freedom may be a name only. Smith was kept at home on When the wicked tule; the account of the Illness of his people mourn" (D. & C. 98 9) wife, Emma. She wa3 confined Upon the people rests the reto her bed for several days and sponsibility of selecting officers her husband was always very or administrators of the law. solicitous about her welfare. This Is really the foremost a Sunday, May 19, was rainy privilege of free men; and day, and as a consequence no should be exercised with the utmeeting was held in the grove. most care. The Lord safdt In the - evening a - group of the Prophet Joseph Smith, conprominent members of the cerning ,.this matter; - Where--for- e, Church gathered at the home of and wise men" President Smith and he spoke should be for diligently;- sought to them on the political situa(Continued on Page Twelve) tion of the country. Visitors Praise Joseph Smith 1 - h sup---port- 1 - I t |
