Voting: Our Duty and Our Right

Every election year we get a letter sent by the First Presidency of the Church telling us that we should exercise our right to vote. I have listened to this letter read many times over the course of my voting years. But I never really understood what they were trying to tell us until now.

It has been said that every answer to life's questions can be answered in the scriptures. I believe this to be true! So can we find anything about voting in the scriptures? The answer is a resounding YES!

In the Book of Mormon King Mosiah was faced with the challenge of finding a ruler to take his place. None of the Sons of Mosiah wanted the job. So the people, under the direction of King Mosiah, began a process of finding a Chief Judge to rule over the people:

"Therefore, choose you by the voice of the people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws...Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together in bodies throughout the land, to cast their voices concerning who should be their judge." Mosiah 29:25-39

King Mosiah recognized that even self-government is not flawless and even though the laws were established by just men on the principles of the Law of Moses, they were still subjected to corruption by men. Mosiah warned: " Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything that is contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law - to do your business by the voice of the people." (Mosiah 29:26)

When sensible laws are upheld and sustained by the will of the majority of the righteous people, society functions smoothly. It is true that it may be difficult to find unanimity of opinions on any one issue. Righteous people may disagree or have differing opinions on a number of issues. So how do we overcome this difference of opinion?

The best course of action was in the counsel given by this wise Nephite King - to make and sustain laws by the voice of the people - the majority. When most of the people are righteous, sustain equitable laws, and elect officials who conscientiously sustain existing laws while the judiciary interprets the laws without regard money or power - chances are good for harmony in the populace.

There is also a weakness in self-government; "And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity; then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land." (Mosiah 29:27)

Here in is the key component! If the majority upholds, honors and sustains the law then society keeps moving along. BUT if the majority becomes fuzzy about what is right and what is wrong OR if they relinquish their rights to the minority through pacification then a democracy can become as corrupt as a wicked kingship! Our ONLY assurance against this happening is for us to vote; not just a few people, but everyone!

We, the righteous majority, cannot afford to become passive in these times of decaying morality and loss of our liberties - We MUST exercise our vote - it is our duty and our right. It is the only way that we can preserve our values and our nation! We must stand up and be counted so that the voices of the decent, moral and righteous majority are heard. We cannot subjugate our rights to a vocal minority. It is my duty and your duty to - VOTE!

For more information on this subject I recommend this book to you "America's Hope" by Douglas E. Brinley