SECTION
112
[Kirtland D&C 102, LDS D&C 134]
This
section, which deals with governments and laws in general, is not a
revelation. It was prepared in connection with the publication of the
1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and was read by Oliver
Cowdery at the general assembly of August 17, 1835. It was adopted
unanimously and ordered to be printed in the first edition of the
Doctrine and Covenants (108A:14). It was also published as the
political sentiment of the church by authority of the conference of
1863. This was during the American Civil War.
1. We
believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of
man, and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to
them, either in making laws or administering them, for the good and
safety of society.
2. We
believe that no government can exist, in peace, except such laws are
framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free
exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the
protection of life.
3. We
believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and
magistrates to enforce the laws of the same, and that such as will
administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and
upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic), or the will of the
sovereign.
4a. We
believe that religion is instituted of God, and that men are amenable
to him and to him only for the exercise of it, unless their religious
opinion prompts them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of
others;
4b.
but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in
prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor
dictate forms for public or private devotion;
4c.
that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control
conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of
the soul.
5a. 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, and that
sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected,
and should be punished accordingly;
5b.
and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their
own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest, at
the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.
6a. We
believe that every man should be honored in his station: rulers and
magistrates as such—being placed for the protection of the innocent
and the punishment of the guilty;
6b.
and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without
them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror:
6c.
human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our
interests as individuals and nations, between man and man, and divine
laws, given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for
faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.
7a. We
believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are
bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free
exercise of their religious belief;
7b.
but we do not believe that they have a right, in justice, to deprive
citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so
long as a regard and reverence is shown to the laws, and such
religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
8a. We
believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to
the nature of the offense:
8b.
that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general
peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their
criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that
government in which the offense is committed:
8c.
and for the public peace and tranquillity, all men should step
forward and use their ability in bringing offenders, against good
laws, to punishment.
9. We
do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil
government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another
proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of
its members, as citizens, denied.
10a.
We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with
their members for disorderly conduct according to the rules and
regulations of such societies, provided that such dealings be for
fellowship and good standing;
10b.
but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try
men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world’s
goods, or put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, neither to
inflict any physical punishment upon them—they can only
excommunicate them from their society and withdraw from their
fellowship.
11a.
We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all
wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted, or the
right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as
will protect the same;
11b.
but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves,
their friends and property, and the government, from the unlawful
assaults and encroachments of all persons, in times of exigencies,
where immediate appeal can not be made to the laws, and relief
afforded.
12a.
We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth,
and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the
world;
12b.
but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond servants,
neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them, contrary to the will
and wish of their masters,
12c.
nor to meddle with, or influence them in the least to cause them to
be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby
jeopardizing the lives of men:
12d.
such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous
to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in
servitude.
