To my knowledge, this is the first introduction of democratic freedom in the Western Hemisphere. I don't recall a time when the Jaredites didn't have a king, nor the Nephites up until this point. We here in modern America are pretty enamored with the blessing of liberty. We've been blessed with a wonderful system that has sustained our liberty of over 200 years now. It looks like the system Mosiah introduced was also quite inspired and useful. I'm interested today in that notion called the voice of the people. What a blessing it is to be heard and counted. What transpired this very day in the Massachusetts Senatorial race is most intreresting in that regard. Without choosing sides, it appears the people have spoken in quite an unexpected way. Even in a free society, leaders can become corrupt in that they wish to take public affairs in directions their constituents do not. Today, proved that the voice of the people can still prevail.
26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.There seem to be two possibilites that this warning might come to pass in our day. One, that we would make public choices that are actually evil, or perhaps just as bad, we might just choose to remain silent and thus cede the majority by not making our voices heard. I still have faith in the American people. I think we usually choose well. Last year during the Proposition 8 debate in California, I was so impressed with the number of good people who willingly withstood persecution while bravely making their voices heard. I thank God for such people. The day may come when the voice of the people may choose iniquity in our America. Though it will be sad to see the resulting destruction, I'm not so sure I want to live in an America that has chosen iniquity. I'd rather be standing over by the Iron Rod than anywhere near the Large and Spacious Building when it falls.
This chapter I think contains a clear message about what to do. The answer may be opposing those who'd direct us into iniquity and bondage. But more important is teaching the truth to our fellow citizens and influencing their voices by changing their hearts. Alma and the Sons of Mosiah eventually all abandoned politics for missionary work. America is not going to be saved by fighting against evil, nearly as effectively is it will if folks are brought to the truth and persuaded to choose righteousness.
1 comment:
I, too, was overjoyed yesterday to see this group of people from Massachusetts -- the state that fired the first shot for American liberty from English tyranny -- send a message to the current leadership of our country that political tyranny will no longer be tolerated.
I have many LDS friends who have commented this past year that we just need to lift our voices in prayer in the hopes that prayer alone will turn our country around. With Brigham Young, I agree that prayer is powerful, but that prayer is not enough when bread or porridge (or actively campaigning for a freedom loving candidate or even just voting for one) is what is truly needed.
I believe that the Lord expects us to do our part if we want something and not just rely upon Him to give us what we want or need! After all, Captain Moroni didn't just pray for the Nephites to defend their homes from their Lamanite enemies. He rent his coat, wrote upon it the Title of Liberty, put it on a pole, raised the pole, and rallied the troops!
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