Ezra
Taft Benson
13th President
1985–1994
The
United States
Constitution
The
Bill of Rights
Declaration
of
Independence
Survival
and the
American Way
of Life
Civic
Standards for
Faithful Saints
Righteousness
Exalteth A
Nation
Righteousness
Exalteth a Nation
"Righteousness
exalteth a nation." This statement of eternal truth from Proverbs
appeared on the flyleaf and the last page of a booklet at each plate at
the President's Prayer Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom of the Mayflower
Hotel in Washington, D.C., on February 7, 1963.
As
I listened to the prayers, readings from the Old and New Testaments, and
messages from government and nongovernment leaders, I reviewed hurriedly
our spiritual background as a nation and today's spiritual needs. For
truly, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any
people." (Prov. 14:34.)
The
beautiful old print that hangs in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, came to
mind. It is captioned "The First Prayer in Congress, September
1774." It depicts most of the members of that Congress on their knees
with George Washington, our first President, as leader.
I
recalled the terrible winter at Valley Forge and Washington on his knees
in the snow, praying for divine aid. I thought of the words of Abraham
Lincoln during another time of crisis as he said humbly: "I have been
driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had
nowhere else to go."
Washington
acknowledged God's direction and stated, "Of all the dispositions and
habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are
indispensable supports. . . . Reason and experience both forbid us to
expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious
principles." (Farewell address.)
Lincoln
knew that God rules in the affairs of men and nations. He solemnly
declared: "God rules this world. It is the duty of nations as well as
men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess
their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow . . . and to recognize the
sublime truth that those nations only are blessed whose God is the
Lord."
The
founding fathers knew that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty." (2 Cor. 3:17.) The United States of America began and lives
as a result of faith in God. The Bible has been and is the foundation for
this faith.
"It
is impossible to govern the world without the Bible," said George
Washington.
"The
Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests," Andrew Jackson
proclaimed.
The
fathers of our country had to turn to religion in order that their new
experiment would make sense.
As
I left the prayer breakfast, bidding goodbye to many warm friends, I
thought of the greatness of America, the world's greatest power. During
World War II she outproduced both her enemies and her allies—"the
American miracle."
But
I also recalled FBI reports that revealed an ever-increasing crime record.
I recalled our shockingly defiant record of drunkenness and immorality and
the fact that we have become a nation of pleasure-seeking Sabbath
breakers.
My
thoughts turned to our homes and families, our ever-increasing divorce
rate, the alarming increase in sexual sin, infidelity, yes, even adultery.
We live in a day of slick, quiet, and clever sins. It is made easy to
cover up.
I
recalled the solidarity of the homes of long past when family prayer,
daily devotion, the reading of scriptures, and the singing of hymns were
common practices in American homes—practices that, I am sorry to say,
have all but disappeared today.
I
became saddened as I reviewed evidence of a lessening of moral stability,
honor, integrity, love of country; a seeking for the honors of men, of
something for nothing; the tendency to lean more and more on government;
the result of our ever-increasing demands, even though often economically,
socially, and spiritually unsound.
There
has been a nationwide erosion of individual character. Jefferson's words
still ring true: "Material abundance without character is the surest
way to destruction." I recalled how proudly in generations past we
spoke of the "American way of life."
Then
I saw thirty million doorknob hangers being distributed by Scouts, setting
forth our political and economic rights in an effort to stimulate
patriotism in this choice land. As I read the message from the Freedom
Foundation and the Scouts, I thought of our basic American concepts, our
constitutional government, based on a fundamental belief in God.
I
became alarmed as I reviewed what has happened in our schools under
so-called progressive education. What about the loss of patriotism, faith
in God, and the teachings of character-building principles once so much a
part of our education? We have all but "forced Americanism out of the
classroom to make way for temporary trivialities." (De Love.)
I
remember President Joseph F. Smith's warning of the three dangers to the
Church from within, viz., the flattery of prominent men, sexual impurity,
and false educational ideas. (Gospel Doctrine, p. 312.)
Then
there came to me the words of that courageous American patriot, J. Edgar
Hoover:
Today
as never before, America has need for men and women who possess the moral
strength and courage of our forefathers—modern-day patriots, with pride
in our country and faith in freedom. . . .
Too
often in recent years, patriotic symbols have been shunted aside. Our
national heroes have been maligned, our history distorted. Has it become a
disgrace to pledge allegiance to our flag—or sign a loyalty oath, or pay
tribute to our national anthem? Is it shameful to encourage our children
to memorize the stirring words of the men of '76? Is it becoming
opprobrious to state "In God we trust" when proclaiming our love
of country?
What
we desperately need today is patriotism founded on a real understanding of
the American ideal—a dedicated belief in our principles of freedom, and
a determination to perpetuate America's heritage. (FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin, April 1962, p. 3.)
Are
we slipping from our moorings, becoming soft, carelessly drawing away from
the course that has brought us such priceless blessings in days past?
David
Lawrence, editor of U.S. News and World Report, wrote: "The
destiny of the world is in the hands of those statesmen who can interpret
faithfully the commands of the Almighty."
Can
our national leaders do this? Can they interpret faithfully the commands
of the Almighty? Can we as citizens of this blessed land? Can we as people
of the free world? Do we believe that "righteousness exalteth a
nation," that there is safety only in righteous living?
Fortunately,
today we are not left in darkness. We have guides—not only the Holy
Bible, but added modern scriptures. And of the utmost importance for us
today, we have the counsel and direction of living oracles. This counsel,
this direction—in fact, the message of the fulness of the restored
gospel—is being carried to the world by our missionaries, ambassadors of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
And
what is this message? It is a world message of the utmost importance. It
is that God has again spoken from the heavens. The priesthood and
authority to act in his name have been restored again to men on the earth,
following centuries of darkness. The fulness of the everlasting gospel is
here with all of its saving principles. To these facts I bear humble
witness.
The
prophets of a new gospel dispensation have counsel for us today—counsel
on matters that concerned the founding fathers: freedom, liberty,
righteousness which "exalteth a nation."
Do
we believe and accept their counsel, or have we drifted away from those
basic concepts and principles, without adherence to which, no nation can
be exalted? Elder Albert E. Bowen said:
That
which is right does not become wrong merely because it may be deserted by
the majority, neither does that which is wrong today become right tomorrow
by the chance circumstance that it has won the approval or been adopted by
overwhelmingly predominant numbers. Principles cannot be changed by nor
accommodate themselves to the vagaries of popular sentiment. (Conference
Report, April 1941, p. 85.)
Modern-day
prophets have said much by way of counsel and warning for our guidance. I
turn to one who was called "a seer in the area of government"
and who stood closest to the prophet of the Lord—the president of the
Church—longer than any other man in Church history. I speak of President
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.:
There
always comes a time when unpleasant truths must be retold, even though the
retelling disturbs the ease and quiet of a luxurious error. Today seems to
be such a time. On such occasions, the criticism, slander,
misrepresentation that one gets, are of no consequence. (Address to Utah
Wool Growers Association, January 24, 1945.)
.
. . today government has touched our lives so intimately in all their
relationships and all these governmental touchings have been so tabbed as
political, that we cannot discuss anything relating to our material
welfare and existence without laying ourselves liable to the charge that
we are talking politics. (Church News, June 16, 1945, p. 4.)
I
have been preaching against Communism for twenty years. I still warn you
against it, and I tell you that we are drifting toward it more rapidly
than some of us understand, and I tell you that when Communism comes, the
ownership of the things which are necessary to feed your families is going
to be taken away from us. I tell you freedom of speech will go, freedom of
the press will go, and freedom of religion will go.
I
have warned you against propaganda and hate. We are in the midst of the
greatest exhibition of propaganda that the world has ever seen, and all
directed toward one end. Just do not believe all you read. (Conference
Report, October 3, 1941, p. 16.)
The
plain and simple issue now facing us in America is freedom or slavery. . .
.
Our
real enemies are communism and its running mate, socialism.
. .
And
never forget for one moment that communism and socialism are state
slavery. . . .
.
. . one thing seems sure, we will not get out of our present difficulties
without trouble, serious trouble. Indeed, it may well be that our
government and its free institutions will not be preserved except at the
price of life and blood. . . .
.
. . the paths we are following, if we move forward thereon, will
inevitably lead us to socialism or communism, and these two are as like as
two peas in a pod in their ultimate effect upon our liberties. . . .
We
may first observe that communism and socialism—which we shall hereafter
group together and dub Statism—cannot live with Christianity, nor with
any religion that postulates a Creator such as the Declaration of
Independence recognizes. The slaves of Statism must know no power, no
authority, no source of blessing, no God, but the State. . . .
This
country faces ahead enough trouble to bring us to our knees in humble
honest prayer to God for the help which He alone can give, to save us. . .
.
Do
not think that all these usurpations, intimidations, and impositions are
being done to us through inadvertency or mistake; the whole course is
deliberately planned and carried out; its purpose is to destroy the
Constitution and our Constitutional government. . . .
We
have largely lost the conflict so far waged. But there is time to win the
final victory, if we can sense our danger, and fight. (Church News,
September 25, 1949, pp. 2, 15.)
Thus
spoke the very forthright and courageous President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
President
David O. McKay said:
During
the first half of the twentieth century we have traveled far into the
soul-destroying land of socialism and made strange alliances through which
we have become involved in almost continuous hot and cold wars over the
whole of the earth. In this retreat from freedom the voices of protesting
citizens have been drowned by raucous shouts of intolerance and abuse from
those who led the retreat and their millions of gullible youth, who are
marching merrily to their doom, carrying banners on which are emblazoned
such intriguing and misapplied labels as social justice, equality, reform,
patriotism, social welfare. (Church News, October 18, 1952, p. 2.)
The
fostering of full economic freedom lies at the base of our liberties. Only
in perpetuating economic freedom can our social, political, and religious
liberties be preserved. . . . We must not let complacency blind our eyes
to the real dangers threatening to destroy us. (Gospel Ideals, p.
433.)
Communism
is antagonistic to the American way of life. Its avowed purpose is to
destroy belief in God and free enterprise. In education for citizenship,
therefore, why should we not see to it that every child in America is
taught the superiority of our way of life, of our Constitution and the
sacredness of the freedom of the individual. Such definite instruction is
not in violation of either the federal or the state constitution. . . .
I
love the Stars and Stripes, and the American Way of Life. I have faith in
the Constitution of the United States. I believe that only through a truly
educated citizenry can the ideals that inspired the Founding Fathers of
our Nation be preserved. (Treasures of Life, pp. 501-503.)
Then
President McKay listed as one of the four fundamental elements in such an
education the "open and forceful teaching of facts regarding
communism as an enemy to God and to individual freedom." (Ibid.)
At
the opening session of the October 1961 semiannual general conference,
President McKay gave a stirring address on our American way of life and
the communist threat. He expressed grief and shock over a Supreme Court
decision and stated that the enemies to our republican form of government
are becoming more blatant.
At
the close of the general conference in April 1962, President McKay
emphasized that "men are rapidly classifying themselves into two
groups: believers and nonbelievers." Then he quoted J. Edgar Hoover's
warning:
This
nation is face to face with the greatest danger ever to confront it, a
sinister and deadly conspiracy, which can be conquered only by an alert,
informed citizenry. It is indeed appalling that some members of our
society continue to deplore and criticize those who stress the communist
danger. Public indifference to this threat is tantamount to national
suicide. Lethargy leads only to disaster. Knowledge of the enemy,
alertness to the danger, everyday patriotism are the brick and mortar with
which we can build an impregnable fortress against communism. (Conference
Report, April 1962, p. 125.)
In
October 1962 President McKay said:
In
these days of uncertainty and unrest, liberty-loving people's greatest
responsibility and paramount duty is to preserve and proclaim the freedom
of the individual, his relationships to Deity, and the necessity of
obedience to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only thus
will mankind find peace and happiness.
He
concluded by urging Church members to "support good and conscientious
candidates of either party who are aware of the great dangers
inherent in communism, and who are truly dedicated to the Constitution in
the tradition of the founding fathers." (Conference Report,
October 1962, p. 8.)
We
cannot say that the prophets of the Lord have not warned us. Do we heed
their counsel? Are we in harmony? Every Latter-day Saint has spiritual
obligations in four basic areas: his home, his church, his job, and his
citizenship. Each of these areas should receive consistent attention,
although not necessarily equal time. Are we doing our duty in these
important fields? What about our citizenship responsibility—our
obligation to safeguard our freedom and preserve the Constitution?
The
Prophet Joseph Smith said the time would come when the Constitution would
hang, as it were, by a thread. Modern-day prophets for the past several
decades have been warning us that we have been rapidly moving in that
direction. Fortunately, the Prophet Joseph Smith saw the part the elders
of Israel would play in this crisis. Will there be some of us who won't
care about saving the Constitution, others who will be blinded by the
craftiness of men, and some who will knowingly be working to destroy it?
He who has ears to hear and eyes to see can discern by the Spirit and
through the words of God's mouthpiece that our liberties are being taken.
The
enemy is amongst and upon us. Zion must awake and arouse herself. We, the
elders of Israel, can be and should be the leaven in the loaf for freedom.
Years
ago President Brigham Young stated:
We
all believe that the Lord will fight our battles; but how? Will he do it
while we are unconcerned and make no effort whatever for our own safety
when the enemy is upon us? . . . it would be quite as reasonable to expect
remission of sins without baptism, as to expect the Lord to fight our
battles without our taking every precaution to be prepared to defend
ourselves. The Lord requires us to be quite as willing to fight our own
battles as to have Him fight them for us. If we are not ready for the
enemy when he comes upon us, we have not lived up to the requirements of
Him who guides the ship of Zion, or who dictates the affairs of His
kingdom. (Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. 121.)
May
we as a free people face courageously the challenging responsibility that
faces us. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good
men do nothing." (Edmund Burke.) We are not here to sit by
complacently while our birthright of freedom is exchanged for a mess of
socialist-communist pottage.
I
love this great land—the Lord's latter-day base of operations. I love
the free world. I love our Father's children everywhere.
God
bless us in our stewardship. May we be at least as valiant for freedom and
righteousness, here and now, as we were when we fought for these
principles in the preexistence. There is no other safe way, for
"righteousness exalteth a nation."
(Ezra
Taft Benson, God, Family, Country: Our Three Great Loyalties [Salt
Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], 399.)
Jesus
Christ Joseph Smith
Jr.
Brigham Young
John Taylor
Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow
Joseph F. Smith
Heber J. Grant
George A. Smith
David O. McKay
Joseph F. Smith
Harold B. Lee
Founding
Fathers Spencer Kimball Howard Hunter
Gordon Hinckley First Presidency Elders
Citizens
Rule Book
