In addition to the quotes below, please see the following topics under Morality:
Quotes from the Brethren
Dallin H. Oaks–
If we say we are anti-abortion in our personal life but pro-choice in public policy, we are saying that we will not use our influence to establish public policies that encourage righteous choices on matters God’s servants have defined as serious sins. I urge Latter-day Saints who have taken that position to ask themselves which other grievous sins should be decriminalized or smiled on by the law on this theory that persons should not be hampered in their choices. Should we decriminalize or lighten the legal consequences of child abuse? of cruelty to animals? of pollution? of fraud? of fathers who choose to abandon their families for greater freedom or convenience?
Similarly, some reach the pro-choice position by saying we should not legislate morality. Those who take this position should realize that the law of crimes legislates nothing but morality. Should we repeal all laws with a moral basis so our government will not punish any choices some persons consider immoral? Such an action would wipe out virtually all of the laws against crimes. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Weightier Matters”, Feb. 9, 1999)
Neal A. Maxwell–
John Adams so cautioned saying, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people; it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Unexciting as a prescription, nevertheless, the best single way to improve the quality of life in America is to improve the quality of our own individual lives and our own neighborhoods. Otherwise, citizen failures to respect property, or to practice chastity and fidelity, with all of those consequences, and with all of those failures, cannot be corrected by mere legislation. Similarly, our neglect of the poor or of our civic duties cannot be corrected by executive orders. Our inspired constitution is wisely designed to protect us from excesses of political power, but it can do little to protect us from the excesses of appetite or from individual indifference to great principles or institutions. Any significant unraveling of the moral fiber of the American people, therefore, finally imperils the Constitution. The moral fabric of this society can become dangerously and relentlessly frayed as too few strands strain to hold us together. Hence, having a shared patriotic, spiritual, and moral commitment, within this nation’s borders, is as vital as defending those borders.” (Neal A. Maxwell, Provo’s 1993 Freedom Festival Patriotic Service)
Dallin H. Oaks–
I believe that questions of right and wrong, whether based on religious principles or any other source of values, are legitimate in any debate over laws or public policy. Is there anything more important to debate than what is right or wrong? And those arguments should be open across the entire political spectrum. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Values and Public Policy,” Ensign, Oct. 1992)
M. Russell Ballard–
What would Washington have thought if he could have foreseen our day?…I believe he would have been troubled to see a time when citizens are forbidden to pray in public meetings; when people claim that “you can’t legislate morality,” as if any law ever passed did not have at its heart some notion of right and wrong; when churches are called intruders when they speak out against public policy that is contrary to the commandments of God; when many people reject the correcting influence of churches if it infringes on daily living; when religion is accepted as a social organization but not as an integral part of national culture; when people bristle if representatives of churches speak in any forum except from the pulpit.
Indeed, some people now claim that the Founding Fathers’ worst fear in connection with religion has been realized; that we have, in fact, a state-sponsored religion in America today. This new religion, adopted by many, does not have an identifiable name, but it operates just like a church. It exists in the form of doctrines and beliefs, where morality is whatever a person wants it to be, and where freedom is derived from the ideas of man and not the laws of God. Many people adhere to this concept of morality with religious zeal and fervor, and courts and legislatures tend to support it. (M. Russell Ballard, “Religion in a Free Society,” Ensign, Oct. 1992, 64–65)
Dallin H. Oaks–
“Don’t legislate morality.” I suppose persons who mouth that familiar slogan think they are saying something profound. In fact, if that is an argument at all, it is so superficial that an educated person should be ashamed to use it. As should be evident to every thinking person, a high proportion of all legislation has a moral base. That is true of all of the criminal law, most of the laws regulating family relations, businesses, and commercial transactions, many of the laws governing property, and a host of others.
So what does it mean when a person says, “Don’t try to legislate morality?” There is ample room for debate on the wisdom of most legislation, whether it has a moral base or not. Some legislation is unwise or undesirable because it is an excessive interference with liberty or because it will be impossible or expensive to enforce. But the mere statement that we should not legislate morality contributes nothing to reasoned public discourse. (Dallin H. Oaks, “Gambling — Morally Wrong and Politically Unwise,” Ensign, June 1987, 69 )
Henry D. Moyle–
I want to say to you today that just as sure as we live the only reason that we have become circumspect in what we say about politics in our religious gatherings is because of the influence and effort that our enemies have made to close our mouths…and don’t let anybody fool you on that…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles. Tie national morality and religious principles up just as tight as you can and the tighter you bind them together by our loyalty to the Constitution of the United States the greater will be our government and the greater will be our freedom of action and the greater will be our opportunity in life. (Henry D. Moyle, BYU Devotional, 1950)
Quotes from the Founders
George Washington–
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. … reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. (Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796)
George Washington–
Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.
Speeches and Other Resources
- Todd D. Christofferson, “Moral Discipline,” Oct. 2009
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Weightier Matters,” Feb. 9, 1999
- James E. Faust, “A New Civil Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 1992
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Values & Public Policy,” Ensign, 1992
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Gambling–Morally Wrong and Politically Unwise,” Jan. 1987
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