Just over 50 years ago I joined the Church. During the first 30 of those years I heard and read many statements by apostles and prophets about the importance of studying, honnouring and supporting government compliance with the U.S. Constitution. Following are just a few of those many statements to that effect.
"[Above] all else, strive to support good and conscientious candidatesof either party who are aware of the great dangers inherent in communism, and who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in the tradition of our founding fathers." (President David O. McKay, October 1962 General Conference)
"We therefore commend and encourage every person and every group who is sincerely seeking to study Constitutional principles and awaken a sleeping and apathetic people to the alarming conditions that are rapidly advancing about us." (President David O. McKay, April 1966 General Conference)
"We urge members of the Church and all Americans to begin now to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution, and of adherence to its principles. (President Harold B. Lee, November 1973, The First Presidency Statement on the Constitution, The Ensign)
"Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers. Have we read the Federalist Papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?" (President Ezta Taft Benson, October 1987 General Conference)
"And now we face a danger greater than any of the wars we have faced. To honor the Constitution and to honor freedom is a sacred duty for all of us." (President Packer, Provo, UT Freedom Festival, 2 July 2009)
On Monday following this last Conference I asked several friends and acquaintances who would have been sensitive to the subject if they heard anything said about the responsibility of LDSs to the U.S. Constitution. Not a one advised of having heard anything on the subject. But I did receive this insightful comment from one of them, the author of "The Elders of Israel and the Constitution", which was recommended in the April 1972 General Conference by Elder Ezra Taft Benson: "I think the Church is cautious about openly participating in freedom promotion activities partly because of concern about government retribution that might unduly hinder its primary religious mission and partly because so many members haved been indoctrinated to favor federal dominance and federal welfare and regulation that there is concern that a strong constitutional position might split the Church."
"I think the Church is cautious about openly participating in freedom promotion activities partly because of concern about government retribution that might unduly hinder its primary religious mission and partly because so many members haved been indoctrinated to favor federal dominance and federal welfare and regulation that there is concern that a strong constitutional position might split the Church."
Can't really comment about the churches concern regarding retribution or regarding fear of splitting the church (I think that is going to happen anyway) however, regarding members favoring federal dominance and federal welfare/regulation I think there has indeed been a major movement by members towards liberal socialism.
I have been a member for 39 years and can recall when it was strongly taught that government assistance was not to even be considered. Now I find it quite common (where I live) to ask members seeking assistance whether they have checked out government programs to meet their needs.
I am a Canadian living in Canada but, my politics is very much less government and do for yourself. If I was an American I would probably have voted Ron Paul.
I think that the political attitudes of LDSs are very much influenced by the country they live in. There was a time when we fought communism in our government. Now they've voted a socialist into office and people are openly clamoring for more socialism.
__________________
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
I've come to expect most American voters to want more socialism, but LDS voters can be just as supportive of certain socialist legislation and programs. I note this is especially true in the belief of many LDSs that the costs of health care, education, and welfare in various forms for illegal immigrants should be paid for out of our taxes. Also, it seems most fail to see socialism in other community programs which serve only a certain few but are paid for by all tax payers.
Having lived and worked about 12 years overseas, mostly in various European countries, I have noticed the socialist attitudes of many European and UK Latter-day Saints. My wife has lived about 1/2 of her life in Europe, mostly Denmark before I came along, but also since then, and it has taken years for her to gradually recognize the evils of socialism, especially in the health care industry where she worked as a nurse, that LDS prophets and apostles warned about for years. And she is still not totally converted away from socialism. And I was advised to avoid initiating discussion of this topic in church in those countries.
It seems something's gotta change if my understanding is correct that constitutional principles will form the governing system for the entire world during the Millennium, as indicated by statements from verious past prohets and apostles. But apparently now is not the time for that change.
