Monday, December 05, 2005

Good thing George wasn't Mormon.

So yesterday in Sunday School, we studied the 134th Section of Doctrine & Covenants — the section dealing with the role of governments, and our duty to them — and I got to thinking: our modern interpretation of the doctrines of good citizenship would (if I understand them well-enough to comment) have rendered most members in good-standing Loyalists during the American War of Independence, as it was mostly a matter of taxation — and not egregious and sustained human-rights violations. I can picture 18th-century Mormons demurring to the status quo and condemning the likes of George Washington as little more than rabble-rousers.

The irony here, of course, is that we idolize Washington, et al... but I can't believe that we would have ever endorsed his actions had we been his contemporaries.

What's your take?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I have thought about issues like this before. I think that your assessment is correct, given the current attitudes of many members, they would have been against a break away from the status quo of the current rule.

There is another question I have pondered. If the question of Gay marriage would have come up during the time that the church was trying to defend polygamy, would the church have had such an aversion to allowing Gay marriage?

Just a thought.

Anonymous said...

I've had Church members tell me with a straight face that the American Revolution was accomplished without violating British law. There is no point in arguing with these people.

Th. said...

.

Wow. That's some liberal interpretation of British law.

Don't tell them I said that.

Silus Grok said...

Without violating British law?

You mean murder, sedition, defaming the King, burglary, robbery, et cetera were _legal_?

Wow.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with you on this one. I also wonder how many Mormons today would have followed Joseph Smith and how many would just view him as they view David Koresh and other cult leaders.