The
South Sea Commonwealths
79. Furthermore, this leaven of
local self-government functions, of realms of freedom and liberty beyond the
reach of government, is working in the far-off corners of the earth. The commonwealths
of the South Seas, basically framed along the lines set up by our Constitution,
are bringing other lands to enjoy our blessings.
80. And this is the mission and
the Destiny of America, of Zion, decreed thousands of years ago, for, I repeat,
Isaiah declared: “Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)
81. And this Destiny of ours is
to come not through bloody conquests of war and the oppression and enslavement
of our fellow beings but by conquests of peace and the persuasion of righteous
example and Christian endeavor. Thus far God has wrought out His plan, He will
carry it through, with us, if we are faithful, if we work not iniquity, if we
repent of our sins; but if we shall fail Him, as did the Jaredites and Nephites
of old, then He will work it through with some other people. For the divine
edict has gone forth, and God will not be laughed at, nor mocked, nor thwarted.
(J. Reuben Clark, Jr., “Divine Destiny of America,” June 9, 1940, repr. Selected
Manifestations, comp. David M. Reay and Vonda S. Reay [Oakland, Calif.: Self-Published,
1985], 241-42)
