Context: In “Chapter 24: America A Cradle of Democracy” (a discussion of Mosiah 27-29):
Commentary:
Hundreds of years before God
directed the establishment of the Constitution of the United States, he raised
up a man to found a democratic form of government among the Nephites. What
greater evidence can we ask for that God looks with favor upon the democratic way
of life?
And why should that be the case?
Democracy is firmly rooted in the spiritual concept of free agency. It is
planted in the rich soil of a belief in the dignity of the human soul.
The Church thrives best in
democratic countries. You will recall that God spent hundreds of years
preparing for the establishment of a democratic government in our America. He
developed in the old world a freedom-loving people, inspired Columbus to unveil
this land, put a n urge behind the freedom-loving people whom he had developed,
and directed them to this land, where, under His direction, they established
the Constitution of the United States. Only after all this preparation did God
restore the gospel in its fulness. In the fertile soul of democracy God’s work
can flourish, provided the people are righteously inclined.
It is interesting to observe that
Mosiah provided his people with a code of laws, with a monetary system, and
with religious liberty. We must remember that religious liberty was guaranteed
the people of America at a time when bigotry and intolerance were the rule the
world over.
Despite the fact that God favors
democracy, He revealed the following to Joseph Smith: “We believe that all men
are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they
reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of
such governments.” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:5.) (Leland H. Monson, Life in
Ancient America: A Study of the Book of Mormon—For the Sunday Schools of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Salt Lake City: Deseret Sunday School
Union, 1946; repr. Salt Lake City: Deseret New Press, 1967], 71)
