Constitutional Government

1. I'm not sure LDS believe in theocracy.  The preferred government in Israel was the Judges and the preferred government among the Nephites was having a chief judge.

2. We believe Constitutional government in general is inspired if not specifically the US Constitution.

3. The Bible says the law would come from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.Isa 2:3 

4.  Church and State have different jurisdictions.  State has the duty to prevent and prosecute harm.  The State prevents harm (deprivation of life, liberty, property) by imposing  punishments on the perpetrator as apposed to overregulating and punishing everyone in the name of prevention (origin of Big Government) . Alma 1:17

5.  The duty of the Church is charity and virtue.  James 1:27.  Church rehabilitate and disciplines those who commit self harm (addictions). Church is to provide welfare because there is potential accountability and assistance with virtue issues leading to poverty. 

6. Brigham Young prophesied the preservation of the US Constitution:

"Will the Constitution be destroyed? No: it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘The time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At that critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so." -BY

7. I think talking about preserving the Constitution vs. changing it will build more unity. 

8.  I think the problem we have is not following our Constitution.  ie money creation, etc. Legislative Branch legislating the law.  Senate investigating corruption and not house committee with no subpoena power. Politicians just say "its being investigated" but Trey Gowdy and Jason Chaffetz in the House had no real subpoena power to get testimony or documents. The wrong house was investigating. 

9.  I think case law is unnecessary or less necessary and a jury can decide if harm has been done and the appropriate punishment.  I've seen big corperation cause harm and get off saying "we have broken no laws". 

10. I think the Council of 50 was necessary at the time and might well have a place again as a city government.  But even thought the US had betrayed the LDS , the LDS after considering all options felt to stick with and support the US Constitution as opposed to many other options considered by the Council of 50.  That's the take away I get from it. 

11. Jesus will not reign the whole time during the Melennium.  

"“That Jesus will be a resident on the earth a thousand [years] with the Saints is not the case, but will reign over the Saints and come down and instruct, as he did the five hundred brethren [see 1 Corinthians 15:6], and those of the first resurrection will also reign with him over the Saints.” -TPJS

12.  I think the big push right now as it has been for awhile, even with Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson is for us to lose faith in all our institutions and ultimately in the US Constitution so that when the plug is finally pulled on society, we walk away voluntarily and voluntarily accept their more globally controlled alternative. The US Constitution is the basis and example for Constitutional government everywhere, if we turn our back on it; consitutional government will fall everywhere. 

Notes on LDS Historical Polygamy

The following summarizes a few points made by "Women of Ward Radio" podcast. 

https://youtu.be/fR6UTsx2IPg?si=7x61slBkuXlfI4o4

1. In a combination of Victorian and eternal sealing mindset, many sealings and adoptions to Joseph Smith were made with the idea to link families. (most likely were symbolic sealings not involving physical relations at all). 

2. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball polygamy was not typical. Many of their wives, now widowed, were originally sealed to Joseph Smith. (BY and HCK took responsibility for a unique need) 

3. Divorce laws were very liberal. Womens rights were generally much better for the time. If there was a divorce, children belonged to the wife. Women could vote, own property, encouraged to be educated. 

4. The institution in frontier Utah for caring for fatherless and the widow was the family thru adoption and marriage.  

5. Most men practicing polygamy only had 2 wives max.

6. In many cases polygamy was a calling and sought approval of 1st wife. 

7. Only 30% men practiced in St. George in 1860, 25% in 1870, 20% in 1880. 

8. Individual women in polygamy had less children overall, men had more children overall. 

9. Women could seek and were encouraged to seek education and vocational opportunities if desired while having builtin intrafamily access to childcare.

10. Journals of polygamous wives at the time were net positive. Descendents today, looking back, are net positive. 

11. Fundamentalist polygamy today is nothing like the historical practice.

12. A women's own children provide care and support for her in her old age, then as now. 

13.  It was a commandant of God to restore the practice for a time.  We don't know all the whys

14.  It was 100% voluntary for men and women.  

15. Women were asked by Joseph Smith and others to seek a revelation from God.  Women eport receiving independent revelations that polygamy was God's will for them. 

16. Raised the bar for single men. 

17. LDS are not called to and do not practice this today.

"when your daughters have grown up and wish to marry let them have their choice in a husband if they know what their choice is... but if they marry the wrong man let them try again... you shall have your own agency in the matter"  -Brigham Young

"they will tell you that you will go into eternity and find yourself without husbands and cannot get an exaltation. That you cannot have this, that, or the other if you are not sealed to them. .. My advice to the sisters is never be sealed to any man unless you wish to be.... Let me hear no more: 'you must be sealed to me or you cannot get an exaltation'."  -Brigham Young

Peacemakers Needed: Turning the Other Cheek

Matt 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person.(seek revenge, retaliate against) But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

President Russell M. Nelson in his General Conference talk entitled "Peacemakets Needed" says:

"Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions. Regrettably, we sometimes see contentious behavior even within our own ranks. We hear of those who belittle their spouses and children, of those who use angry outbursts to control others, and of those who punish family members with the “silent treatment.” We hear of youth and children who bully and of employees who defame their colleagues."

"The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers."

"My dear brothers and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully. “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication."

Turning the other cheek doesn't mean being a doormat or inviting someone to hurt you again. Turning the other cheek is a form of nonviolent resistance that aims to subvert their intent and break the cycle of violence. Culturally, a backhanded slap from a superior was a grave insult, and by turning the cheek, the victim forces the aggressor to use an open hand—a gesture of equality—effectively robbing them of the insult's power. The phrase is not a call to passively endure abuse, but a radical, nonviolent act of courage that challenges wrongdoing and affirms that one's dignity is not dependent on the aggressor's approval. 

The following podcast by Steven Bartlett 'Diary of a CEO' with guest Jefferson Fisher gives real direction in how to respond in the best ways when dealing with contentious situations. 

https://youtu.be/zsuOSDb7gzQ?si=F3-_qSsvxUXfMLIR

Communication Tips:

1. Take a Deep Breath

2. Pause

3. Untangle instead of argue

(Never seek to win an argument, seek for mutual understanding, prioritize relationships over issues)

4. Thank instead of apologize

5. Ask them to say it again 

6. Did you mean for that to sound short?

7. How would you like me to respond to that?

8. How did you feel as you said that to me in the way you did?

Shemini Atzeret and President Dallin Harris Oaks: Hastening and Welcoming the Rainy Season in Israel

There is a profound connection between the restoration of thr Church of Jesus Christ, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the Biblical fall feast holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Shemini Atzeret. 

Joseph Smith was given the golden plates upon which the Book of Mormon was translated on Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 22, 1827.  Together with the golden plates were mystical clear stones known as the urim and thummin used to traslate the Book of Mormon.  We learn from Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith's mother, the first revelation through the Urim and Thummin, Joseph was shown Martin Harris. Joseph Smith prayer was for help in translating the Book of Mormon.  Martim Harris was the answer to Joseph's prayer.  Martin Harris served as a witness of Jesus Christ, special witness of the Book of Mormon, scribe to the initial translation, and principle investor in its publication.   This revelation occurred on Oct 6, 1827, which is the first day of Sukkot. Just as God provided manna to Israel in the wilderness,  God provided the means via Martin Harris to fund the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon. 

Today:, a descendant of Martin Harris, Dallin Harris Oaks, has now been ordained and sustained the 18th prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Oaks was ordained as prophet on October 14, 2025 which was Shemini Atzeret or the eighth day of Sukkot or eighth day of assembly or tarrying.  Part of the observation of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret includes a libation offering prayer for rain and marks the start of the rainy season in Israel. 

Zech 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King (eg keep the feast of tabernacles), the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

There is a connection with Shavuot 50 days after Passover (Nisan Full Moon) but God not wanting Israel to make a separate trip to Jerusalem durring the rainy season.  Accordingly, God hastens the feast of Shemini Atzeret to immediately follow Sukkot instead of 50 days after the beginning of Sukkot (Tishrei Full Moon) as is done with Shavuot following Passover (Pesach). 

Isa 60:22. I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

The Lord Jesus Christ appeared in a dream to Martin Harris in 1817, three years before the First Vision of Joseph Smith telling him to not join any Church at that time but soon there would be a Church restored worthy to take upon itself the name of Jesus Christ.  Martin Harris and now his desendant President Dallin H. Oaks have served and are serving a key role in the building of God's kingdom on Earth. 

Again, Shemini Atzeret is the hastened holiday that is only 15 days following the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) as opposed to counting the omer and observing it 50 days following the new year as is done in the spring feasts. Shemini Atzeret marks the beginning of the rainy season is Israel.  The rain is a blessing to the righteous who are standing in holy places, but a tribulation to the unrighteous traveler who is caught outside in the storm. 

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

There is an also association with the Jewish Holiday of Shimini Atzeret and Simchat (Rejoice) Torah observed the day following on Oct 15, 2025.  Simchat Torah is when Jews celebrate the Torah and restart their weekly torah reading beginning again in Genesis.  Some see a connection between Shimini Atzaret, Simchat Torah and President Oaks having worked as a constitutional lawyer and Utah Supreme Court Justice. 

The reason Jews restart the Torah readings at Simchat Torah associated with Shimini Atzeret and not Matan (Giving) Torah associated with Shavuot is believed to be associated with Moses breaking the first tablets containing the ten commandments and then being given a new set of tablets paralleling the great apostasy and restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these Last Days. 

President Dallin Harris Oaks, a descendant of Martin Harris, was ordained as the 18th President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Shimini Atzaret, October, 14 2025.  President Nelson, a heart surgeon prepared the Church for the hastening of the Lord's work.  President Oaks, a descendant of Martin Harris, a consitituonal lawyer and Utah (Jewtah) sepreme court judge, may be the prophet of Shimini Azeret/Simchat Torah, the prophet of the hastening,  the prophet of the rainy season, the prophet of the Law, and may also be the prophet of the Lord's divine judgement. 

Why Christians Should Prosetylize

Penn Jillette, of the magician duo, Penn & Teller, is an outspoken atheist.  Nevertheless, Mr  Jillette articulates one of the best reasons why Christians should share their faith, witness, and testimony of Jesus Christ with others.  

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?

“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”

https://youtu.be/owZc3Xq8obk?si=ooc9a07qptmsRUaH