Abstract

The political views of J. Reuben Clark, Jr. have been of interest to the membership of the Mormon Church since the year 1933, when Clark was appointed second counselor to Heber. J. Grant, then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This interest was generated In part by the various political positions of importance which Clark held since 1906, and by the numerous politically-oriented speeches which he gave from time to time throughout the Church and the nation.

According to Clark, the nature of man's relationship to the state was determined by a pre-earth existence. Clark believed man to be a spiritual child of God, inheriting certain divine attributes which could ultimately result in the individual becoming a god. Man's earthly experience was planned to eventually make this possible.

Clark felt that governments were instituted by God for the purpose of assuring to man "free agency" or the right to choose for himself. However, Clark believed that since men had "free agency" they were thus free to change the governmental process as they desired. In many instances this resulted in the formation of governments, which were corrupted by evil men, with the purpose of enslaving the populace and destroying "free agency" through the use of inhumane methods of warfare. Those governments which Clark feared the most were Communism and the Welfare State.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Political Science

Rights

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