King-men

Benjamin Franklin said "There is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government." I believe over the past 100 years we have seen such an inclination. Now we have arrived at the point where our leaders, instead of being subject to law, are above the law and create it as they go along. What is it about having an earthly king that is desirable by the natural man?

We see the same inclination in the Book of Mormon. "For behold, there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered...for they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land." Those who opposed this action "had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government...now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people."

There are likely two reasons this trend occurs. First, there are those who want power and authority over the people. Whether driven by pride, power, or money, there are those "elite" minded people that seek to overthrow freedom and establish themselves as rulers.

Second, there are those who don't want to be responsible for governing themselves. Is it easier for a people to push the responsibilities of governing onto others? Do we as men feel that by giving so much power to the government we excuse ourselves from some level of accountability? Maybe we don't have to work, or think, so hard if the king just tells us what to do. Such reasoning sounds like those who desired to come to earth without having to think and learn for themselves. Those who wanted a guarantee, a free pass to celestial glory.

Individuals in the first category will appeal to people in the second category and eventually you have monarchy. Regardless of the reasons for this natural inclination, it is an incline down to submission and slavery.

When we think of kings, we may think of a man sitting on a high throne wearing a crown and long robe, saying "Off with his head!" The idea seems silly to us as Americans because we just can't conceive of our leadership ever looking like that. Instead of this image, we should think of kings as what they ultimately are, a centralization of governing power. One man or a group of men with excess governing power. It may be easier for us as Americans to conceive of that, as we have some living examples.

Alma explained that the reason not to have a king is because we "shall not esteem one flesh above another". There is no man on earth that should be our king, the Lord only shall assume that position. He says, "But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you. Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people, and ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come, for I am your lawgiver, and what can stay my hand" (D&C 38).

We must restore God as the King of this land. Regardless of religion or race, our allegiance must be to Him and not man or man's government. Until we do so, we shall not be a free people.

A few days ago my wife and I were discussing our political views and the need to restore true principles of government in our land. As we pondered the task of doing so, my wife commented on the seeming impossibility of the task. With such a small ratio of people who feel that there are true principles of governing and are trying to do something about it, how can we ever hope to accomplish our goal?

While pondering we realized that if this is a work that God has a hand in, we wouldn't expect the circumstances to by any different. Tell me a story from the scriptures or from the restored Gospel's history where the Lord's people dominated by numbers. When Israel entered the land of Canaan, it seems that every city they overtook required a miracle because their force was small in numbers or small in size in relation to the opposing force. The Nephite armies overcame formidable odds when they had truth on their side, when they were honoring God.

The size of the force for truth has very little to do with whether it will be successful. It should never discourage those involved, in fact, based on history, the small size should be encouraging. President Packer commented on the small numbers of Church members in last General Conference. I think his words apply very well to those standing up for true governmental principles. "We are a tiny fraction when compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel."

Let us seek not to take courage in our numbers but in our cause. It resembles God's work.

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2 Nephi)