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Civic Responsibility

Summary

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY is the duty of every citizen to participate in shaping law and public policy and to obey and uphold those laws and policies.  As part of this duty, responsible citizens help elect good, honest, wise men and women to represent them in all levels of government, and they inform themselves about political issues and make their opinions known to their representatives.  All citizens of a free society should be anxiously engaged in defending their freedom, improving their communities, and teaching their children to be responsible citizens.

Quotes from the Brethren

Shirley D. Christensen–
Citizens of every land, where permitted, should vigorously cherish their right to vote and should act upon that privilege at every opportunity by supporting wise and honorable candidates. Good and wise leaders elected by and working cooperatively with responsible citizens will seek to protect their freedoms. Failure to actively support such candidates with one’s vote may result in leaders who are elected, as Mosiah said, by “the lesser part of the people” who may “desire that which is not right” (Mosiah 29:26). What a sacred privilege and responsibility is ours to participate with other like-minded people to ensure that basic freedoms are preserved wherever we reside…

The Lord holds us accountable for establishing governments and freedoms in our society wherever we live (see D&C 134:1, 5), and we live to the extent possible under law. Preserving freedom of religion, speech, and assembly begins in our homes and in our families. As parents show their own love and respect of these liberties, children will also adopt them. Prophets have taught that the influence of parents and the home is immeasurable in establishing standards that will bless every nation.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught, “I know of no better way to inculcate love for country than for parents to pray before their children for the President and the Congress or the [King or] Queen and the Parliament of the land of their citizenship.”  (Shirley D. Christensen, “I, the Lord God, Make You Free,” Ensign, Feb. 2006, 26)

Gordon B. Hinckley–
The building of public sentiment begins with a few earnest voices. I am not one to advocate shouting defiantly or shaking fists and issuing threats in the faces of legislators. But I am one who believes that we should earnestly and sincerely and positively express our convictions to those given the heavy responsibility of making and enforcing our laws.

The sad fact is that the minority who call for greater liberalization, who peddle and devour pornography, who encourage and feed on licentious display make their voices heard until those in our legislatures may come to believe that what they say represents the will of the majority. We are not likely to get that which we do not speak up for.

Let our voices be heard. I hope they will not be shrill voices, but I hope we shall speak with such conviction that those to whom we speak shall know of the strength of our feeling and the sincerity of our effort. Remarkable consequences often flow from a well-written letter and a postage stamp. Remarkable results come of quiet conversation with those who carry heavy responsibilities.

Declared the Lord to this people: “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:33–34). This is the essence of the matter—“the heart and a willing mind.” Speak to those who enact the regulations, the statutes, and the laws—those in government on local, state, and national levels and those who occupy positions of responsibility as administrators of our schools.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “In Opposition to Evil,” Ensign, Sept. 2004, 3)

Dallin H. Oaks–
Citizens should also be practitioners of civic virtue in their conduct toward government. They should be ever willing to fulfill the duties of citizenship. This includes compulsory duties like military service and the numerous voluntary actions they must take if they are to preserve the principle of limited government through citizen self-reliance. For example, since U.S. citizens value the right of trial by jury, they must be willing to serve on juries, even those involving unsavory subject matter. Citizens who favor morality cannot leave the enforcement of moral laws to jurors who oppose them.  (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Divinely Inspired Constitution,” Ensign, Feb. 1992)

Ezra Taft Benson–
May I urge you to seek out good, wise, and honest men for public office, and then support them with your vote. You will note the conditions wherein the Lord counseled that we should support men in political office. They ought to be “good,” “wise,” and “honest.” Some men are good and honest, but not wise. These qualities combined provide statesmanship. I’ve said it many times: what we need today are men with a mandate higher than the ballot box!  (Ezra Taft Benson, “America at the Crossroads,” New Era, July 1978, 36)

Quotes from the Founders

Samuel Adams–
Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.  (Samuel Adams in the Boston Gazette, April 16, 1781)

George Washington–
Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.  (Washington, George, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796)

Speeches and Other Resources

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By Matthew Piccolo 10:45 pm