1776
By Ralph Hughes
England was
the most powerful nation on the planet which led this group of 56 to sign a
written notice to the king that they were absolved from any further allegiance
to him. Well, King George was not about to let them Yankies (as they were
known) get away with that.
I would like
to call attention to something that the ancient prophet Nephi, son of Lehi,
foresaw and wrote about and what came of that disagreement. (If anyone ever
needs a good example of fulfillment of prophecy, it does not come much better than this.) (1 Nephi 13:16-19)
I testify
that these events were inspired by God and were a prologue to the establishment
of a new nation. The government of which the Lord, Jesus the Christ wanted us
to have and keep. These events being a major prologue to the establishment of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints, to do what we can to restore
and preserve the freedoms and liberty that He wants us to have and keep.
1 Nephi
13:16-19
16 “And it
came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the gentiles who had gone forth out of
captivity did humble themselves before the Lord, and the power of the Lord was
with them.”
17 “And I
beheld that their mother gentile were gathered together upon the water and upon
the land also to battle against them.”
18 “And I
beheld that the power of God was with them. And also that the wrath of God was
upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.”
19 “And I
Nephi beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by
the power of God out of the hand of all other nations.”
Explanatory
Introduction:
The Doctrine
and Covenants is a collection of divine revelation and inspired declarations
which were given for the establishment and regulation of the Kingdom of God on
the earth in the last days. Although most of the sections are directed to
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the message,
warning and exhortations are for the benefit of all mankind and contains an
invitation to all people everywhere to hear the voice of the Lord, Jesus Christ
speaking to them for their temporal well-being and their everlasting salvation.
Most of the revelations in this compilation were received through Joseph Smith
Junior, the first prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. Other revelations were issued through some of his successors
in the presidency. (See the headings to section 135, 136 138 and Official
Declaration 1 and 2.)
The book,
Doctrine and Covenants is one of the standard works of the Church in company
with the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon and The Pearl of Great Price. However,
the Doctrine and Covenants is unique because it is not a translation of an
ancient document, but is of modern origin and was given of God through his
chosen prophets for the restoration of His holy works and the establishment of
the kingdom of God on earth in these days.
In these
revelations, one hears the tender but firm voice of the Lord Jesus Christ
speaking in answer to the dispensation of the Fullness of Time and the work
that is initiated here in preparation to His Second Coming in fulfillment of
and in concert with the words of the Holy Prophets since the world began.
Doctrine and
Covenants 98: 4-7
“4 And now
verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my
people should observe to do all things whatso ever I command them.
5 And that
the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of
freedom in maintaining rights and privileges. it is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore
I, the Lord justify you and your brethren of my church in befriending that law
which is the constitutional law of the land.
7 And as pertaining
to the law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this cometh of evil.”
Doctrine and
Covenants 101:79-80
“79 Therefore
it is not right that anymore should be in bondage one to another.”
“80 And for this purpose have I established
the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto
this very purpose and redeemed the Lord by the shedding of the blood.”
D&C 109:54
54 “…may
these principles which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely the Constitution
of our land, by our fathers be established forever.”
“We must
learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding
Fathers.” President Ezra Taft Benson, Octo 1987 – General Conference.
“We should learn and advocate the inspired principles of the
Constitution.”
Dallin
H. Oaks, April 2021
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