“Being Good Citizens” D&C 58:21-22, 26-28; D&C 98:4-10; 134; Articles of Faith 1:12

Keywords

civic responsibility, Zion society, prophetic teachings

Abstract

“Any nation comprised of responsible and moral citizens is a nation of joy and peace.”

In today’s world of uncertainty and challenge there is great need throughout the world for outstanding citizens. ((I recognize that this article may have an international readership and that some of these statements may seem to be more particularly aimed towards citizens of the United States of America.  Since the Church had its foundations in the United States and because the Church has its headquarters in the United States it is natural that statements have been made from a United States perspective.  However, the principles of civility and citizenship apply to all people in all nations under God’s watchful eye.))  What does the Lord have to say about being a citizen of an earthly kingdom?  Are there examples we can follow?  There are answers to these questions found throughout the revelations in the Doctrine & Covenants and pronounced by modern day prophets.  We can also look at the lives of early saints who grappled with the desire to be worthy of God’s eternal kingdom, yet lived in a temporal kingdom.  We will first review the Lord’s society and law of Zion and refresh our memory of the experience of those who participated in the founding of Zion.  We will end our discussion with a review of statements made by prophets over the last century.

Original Publication Citation

“Being Good Citizens: D&C 58:21-22, 26-28; D&C 98:4-10; 134; Articles of Faith 1:12.” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. 2013.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2013

Publisher

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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