Laws of the Land:Joseph Smith

Laws of the Land

Make yourselves acquainted with the commandments of the Lord, and the laws of the state, and govern yourselves accordingly. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 1:341)

All regularly organized and well established governments have certain laws by which, more or less, the innocent are protected and the guilty punished. The fact admitted, that certain laws are good, equitable and just, ought to be binding upon the individual who admits this, and lead him to observe in the strictest manner an obedience to those laws. These laws when violated, or broken by the individual, must, in justice, convict his mind with a double force, if possible, of the extent and magnitude of his crime; because he could have no plea of ignorance to produce; and his act of transgression was openly committed against light and knowledge. But the individual who may be ignorant and imperceptibly transgresses or violates laws, though the voice of the country requires that he should suffer, yet he will never feel that remorse of conscience that the other will, and that keen, cutting reflection will never rise in his breast that otherwise would, had he done the deed, or committed the offense in full conviction that he was breaking the law of his country, and having previously acknowledged the same to be just. . . . The laws of men may guarantee to a people protection in the honorable pursuits of this life, and the temporal happiness arising from a protection against unjust insults and injuries; and when this is said, all is said, that can be in truth, of the power, extent, and influence of the laws of men, exclusive of the law of God. . . .

It is reasonable to suppose, that man departed from the first teachings, or instructions which he received from heaven in the first age, and refused by his disobedience to be governed by them. Consequently, he formed such laws as best suited his own mind, or as he supposed, were best adapted to his situation. But that God has influenced man more or less since that time in the formation of law for His benefit we have no hesitancy in believing; for, as before remarked, being the source of all good, every just and equitable law was in a greater or less degree influenced by Him. And though man in his own supposed wisdom would not admit the influence of a power superior to his own, yet for wise and great purposes, for the good and happiness of His creatures, God has instructed man to form wise and wholesome laws, since he had departed from Him and refused to be governed by those laws which God had given by His own voice from on high in the beginning. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 2:7, 15)

The Political Motto of the Church of Latter-day Saints: The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God, and good will to man. All good and wholesome laws, virtue and truth above all things, and aristarchy, live for ever! But woe to tyrants, mobs, aristocracy, anarchy, and toryism, and all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious law suits, under the pretext and color of law, or office, either religious or political. Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 3:9)

Should any person be guilty of exciting the people to riot or rebellion, or of participating in a mob, or any other unlawful riotous or tumultuous assemblage of the people, or of refusing to obey any civil officer, executing the ordinances of the city, or the general laws of the state or United States, or of neglecting or refusing to obey promptly, any military order for the due execution of said law or ordinances, he shall, on conviction thereof as aforesaid, be fined or imprisoned, or both, as aforesaid. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 4:307)

We will keep the laws of the land; we do not speak against them; we never have. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 5:257)

The Constitution is not a law, but it empowers the people to make laws. . . .
. . . Powers not delegated to the states or reserved from the states are constitutional. The Constitution acknowledges that the people have all power not reserved to itself. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 5:289)

If I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth, in maintaining the laws and Constitution of the United States, if need be, for the general good of mankind. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 6:211)

The constitution expects every man to do his duty; and when he fails the law urges him; or should he do too much, the same master rebukes him. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 6:220)

We have ever held ourselves amenable to the law; and, for myself, sir, I am ever ready to conform to and support the laws and Constitution, even at the expense of my life. I have never in the least offered any resistance to law or lawful process, which is a well-known fact to the general public. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 6:526)

We are desirous to fulfill the law in every particular, and are responsible for our acts. (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 6:585)