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