The Book of Mormon has Plenty to Say about Bad Political Leaders
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Comments | Return to Story
RalphNovember 8, 2023
Great article! Thought it was foreshadowing the 2024 election, then I saw the comments. Hoping the nation doesn't make the same mistake as we did in 2016.
WayneNovember 15, 2018
This is interesting to read in retrospect. I wonder...can anyone see the forest for the trees? Discount party affiliation. Lies. Fear. Illegal activities. Grandiose plans. Read Sister Proctor's description of Noah. Who does that remind you of today? He "wows" you with the Supreme Court, but the rot deepens from within.
Jane M.November 7, 2016
From day one McMullin's only goal was to make sure Trump did not win. What kind of a man would want to throw the election to Hillary Clinton who we know is a criminal! Hillary is pro choice, she will destroy our Supreme Court for decades and we will lose our religious liberties under her reign. We should all pay attention to the Clintons and the fact that they would sell our country for money without a question. "And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;...And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed;..." Read Either 8, we are seeing this in our day!
Frank KlafsNovember 7, 2016
you only have two people who can garner enough votes to win, Hilary or Donald. Any vote that does not go to Trump helps elect Hilary and all her related criminal and immoral activities. This is hard reality.
Jill ANovember 2, 2016
What a well-written article to help us better understand how The Book of Mormon applies to what we are dealing with today politically. The prophets did see our day! SO TRUE: "We are unfortunately reminded of those in the United States who say 'God bless America' while they war against religious freedom or those who quote the Constitution while they undo it. There is a pretense of clinging to founding ideas while systematically deconstructing them. It’s all about cutting an image that the people can embrace, while you forward a competing ideology." Exactly! When we will finally stand for truth and righteousness and defend and save our Constitution?
David S. TerryOctober 31, 2016
I love the Book of Mormon! Notice that Mormon even though "without hope" in the end still fought for his people. He did not run away from the battle.
Richard LeahmanOctober 29, 2016
Loved the article and Shared !
D. C.October 24, 2016
As we apply principles of this article , may we also learn a lot MORE about those who would be leaders, than sound bites & memes. and a feel good reason for choosing them. I imagine Korihor & Nehor ..would have loved to have a facebook page..! (.to put up cute quotes that may or may not be taken out of context.) While this communication tool ..is not necessarily bad, it can make us lazy in jumping to conclusions. Ask of ANY candidate.... who will accompany them in their role as leader...? who will be their "chief judges"..who will be their first lady, gentleman, or significant other? who worked with them.?.who lived near them as neighbors...and has real...experience in knowing who they really are? What does their cabinet look like" ? when,,,did they decide to run...( really) and why? ..What is the underlying motivation of wanting YOU to choose THEM? "may we be wise" and pray that our collective wisdom may help our country survive. :)
JulieOctober 24, 2016
Another scripture that appropriately defines our nation right now is Helaman 7:4-5: "And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats - having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men; Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills--".
ALHOctober 24, 2016
Please readers, don't turn this wonderful article into my candidate vs. your candidate in your comments. For me, it has come down to this. If I willingly ignore corruption, set aside character, decency, and what I know to wrong and out of harmony with Christ’s gospel and vote out of fear, can I kneel before God and ask Him to bless our nation and to bless me with His Spirit? Would I be looking to the wrong source to save us?
RJWOctober 24, 2016
Be wise, pray, and vote your conscience, is what I hear from readers. This article points out corruption that has existed. We are at a serious crossroads, we have two candidates with two very different views and backgrounds. Evan McMullin is a Utah candidate, he has no chance of winning, LDS people, believe it or not, have many liberal Democratic members, do their views not count? We have the right to vote our "conscience" and have a feel good moment but the objective is to vote for one of two individuals that will best serve our country over the next four years,. For me, Trump has my vote for now.
dennisOctober 24, 2016
CCC, a written platform is not what will decide this matter. I want a leader that runs on his own mwrits and stands up to the gadianton robbers in DC. President Benson had a lot to say about this subject. Ionly see one candidate going forward, using his own money and not owing anything to lobbiest. Evan will have to repay debts to the anti-trump comitte in the way of political favors.
Eileen SalyardsOctober 21, 2016
My hope is that I will be able (humble enough) to be guided by the Holy Ghost. I remember hearing several years ago from the pulpit to not throw away my vote. Still, the choices are distasteful or very chancy for success. What to do? Only God knows.
vickieOctober 21, 2016
what an informative and beautiful article...its amazing what one can learn....IM VOTING TRUMP....I don't want to take any chances because of the SUPREME COURT...I am very anti abortion...the thought makes me sick. if the left gets in there however that happens...it will be condoned ....Hillary is for womens rights...but not baby girls rights...
PattieOctober 21, 2016
I love the Book of Mormon!!! It brings truth to those who will listen to the Holy Ghost. What a beautifully written article. My sentiments exactly.
Lorena HolmsteadOctober 21, 2016
Maureen, this is a very well-written article. It is for just the reasons stated here that I am voting for Evan McMullin. I do believe he has a legitimate path to the White House, although it's a long shot. But more importantly, I see his candidacy as a chance for people across the country to recognize character and leadership when they see it. Or not. It's an opportunity to choose, and with that opportunity will come accountability, the kind which was spoken of by Mosiah in Chapter 29 of the Book of Mormon, which you quoted in this article. May we be wise in our choice!
Kathryn VassOctober 21, 2016
I didn't see Morianton mentioned. He is mentioned in Ether, I believe. He did good by the people. But he did not do good by himself because of his many whoredoms. :( So sad.
JohnOctober 21, 2016
This is a very crucial time in the history of the United States. We are going to be electing a president that can take us in one of two directions. One of the candidates support religious freedoms and living by the Constitution of the United States, which was inspired by God. The other candidate, is known as a liar and a corrupt politician. This candidate has often stated that the fundamentals of Christianity need to be changed. I have learned over many years of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that just voting for a member of the church is not always wise. Evan Maybe a good and respected church member, but his real chances of being a viable candidate are exceedingly enormous. In reality comma voting for a Conservative candidate, such as Evan, really takes the vote away from the viable conservative candidate, and inadvertently is an actual vote for the for the other candidate. As we have always been told, and instructed by the church, we should do our research, counsel ourselves , pray honestly, and then follow our conscience. That is what we need to do for this election that is so important for the saving of the United States.
JohnOctober 21, 2016
These are bad times politically. We have a candidate that has been proven to have lied and is very corrupt. We have another candidate who wants to provide religious freedoms and follow the Constitution which was inspired by God. As a member of the church, I have learned never too support a member of the church just because they are a member of the church. One must do their research to obtain the true character of the candidate and for the reasons that they are running for political office. There are only two viable candidates running for president this year. It is incumbent on us to show our faith and vote for the candidate that will provide us more religious freedoms then what the direction of the country has gone in the past 8 years. Be wise, pray, and vote your conscience, otherwise we could wake up having a presidential candidate that will suppress are religious freedoms and imposed upon us those things which we know to be false or demonic.
Robbin R. WohlOctober 21, 2016
This is such an inspired article, including the citations. I recited these words in their entirety to my husband who is a non-member. Nearly everytime I watch the news, read related article, study history or listen to a political orator - I clearly recall my discussions with the missionaries, the teachings of my Primary, Mutual, Seminary, Sunday School and Relief Society teachers and the admonitions of a succession of prophets, old and new. How often I remark how nations and people fail to study and learn the lessons of history recorded in ink and blood. But I will not loose my hope because we are taught, to loose hope is to live without faith. And that will never be. Thank you so much for this important reminder and warning. We must fast and pray to assure the security of our free nation. The Golden Plates were sealed up here with great purpose, that all might received the Gospel. And we must also keep in mind the suffering of refugees from far less, deadly countries, who seek freedom and peace. Such harried souls.
CCCOctober 21, 2016
To Dennis, There's more the Evan McMullin then his Church affiliation. I agree that would be a poor reason to vote for someone. I've been deeply troubled by the two major party choices and have reached the conclusion that the time vote along party lines is past. We are counseled to SEEK (capitalized because I think it's the key word) out and then uphold leaders who will act with integrity. I feel that this man and his running mate are the best match for that counsel. May I encourage you to at least look at his website where you'll find his platform, his values and his long-term goals?
BeckyOctober 21, 2016
Great insight to the Book Of Mormon relating to our day. I love the Ezra Taft Benson quote near the end, what is the source? If it is a talk by him I would like to read more.
DennisOctober 21, 2016
I don't know Evan. I need more than a few family pics and a career in Government. He is running against Trump and that is not a good reason to run for office. I know Trump made.a strong case for conservative judges and against abortion. He seems to want to return the constitution to its rightful place and the Muslim ban is just common sense. Moroni put conscious objectors to death, unless they agreed to support the government of the land. I will vote for a General Authority if one was to run for office, solely on the base of Gods trust in that person, but I will be careful voting for someone just because they are baptised in the church.
Valerie FulmerOctober 21, 2016
As always, well written. The stories and lessons learned from reading and studying the Book of Mormon are timeless. Doing so can help us discern truth from error. And oh how we need that discernment with regards to the upcoming election. To base our decision on who to vote for solely on what we hear from media is unwise. The mainstream media is all but objective so we should always keep that in mind as we strive to stay informed. We study the issues. We study the candidates, their words and actions. We remember that "by their fruits (we) shall know them". Above all, we strive to live in such a way that allows the Spirit to help us discern what is true and what is not. But at the same time, we remember that people have their moral agency. We may disagree with others' choices for president, including our fellow members. But hopefully when we do disagree, we can do so in a loving and respectful manner. Arguing with one another drives away the very Spirit that we believe helped us come to our conclusion in the first place. I try not to criticize or demean others who do not share my political views. And I think it does not please the Lord when we tell other members they must not be following the Spirit by not voting for our choice as president. Though I have not mastered it, I try to remember President Monson's council, "Never let a problem to be solved more important than a person to be loved."
Loren StegelmeierOctober 21, 2016
I have the same feelings as we read the Book of Mormon. It is for our days. There is much likeness to our days with the same things happening around us now. We see men and women making our country the land of Promise changed almost day by day. I worry that my own children are not listening to the promptings in the BofM. It is happening right before our eyes and I hope and pray that we can change it.
Angel HerreroOctober 21, 2016
Thanks for this article on political leaders. We are suffering a malady of corrupt leadership and is costing us dearly. I am of European descent and I have seen, first hand, in my country of origin, Spain, how a new democracy becomes a huge bureaucracy, inept and wasteful. I am afraid that that is precisely what is going on here, in the United States. Politicians, those who are not honest, become masters of deception by masterfully saying things that are attractive to the people to get their vote. We are counting a few of these here in America, these days.
SPBOctober 21, 2016
Good article. And it brings to my mind a scripture that pretty much sums up where are are today politically: Helaman 5:2 "For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted." Simply put, but a huge warning sign.
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