| Kirtland, Ohio. |
| The rights and prerogatives of civil governments
and religions. Preeminence of conscience, property rights, self-defense.
No interference with bond-servants (slaves). |
| Presented to the general assembly of August
17, 1835 with the Article on Marriage by W. W. Phelps and adopted by unanimous
consent to be included in the 1835 D&C. Generally believed to have
been written by Oliver Cowdery. Joseph Smith and Frederick G. Williams
were in Wisconsin at the time. |
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1835 Doctrine and Covenants 102 |
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¶ Minutes
of August 17, 1835 |
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Of Governments and Laws in General |
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| Governments to benefit
man |
1 |
We believe that governments were instituted
of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for
their acts in relation to them, either both in
making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. |
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| Laws to protect conscience,
property, life |
2 |
We believe that no government can exist, in peace, except
such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual
the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property and
the protection of life. |
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| Administer laws justly |
3 |
We believe that all governments necessarily require civil
officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same, and that such
as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and
upheld by the voice of the people (if a Republic,) or the will of the Sovereign. |
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Religion from God
No interference with others
Civil laws restrain crime
Never suppress freedom of soul
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4 |
We believe that religion is instituted of God,
and that men are amenable to him and to him only for the exercise of it,
unless their religious opinion opinions prompts
them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not
believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of
worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or
private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but
never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom
of the soul. |
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Uphold governments
Punish rebellion
Uphold freedom of conscience
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5 |
We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the
respective Governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent
and inalienable rights by the laws of such Governments, and that sedition
and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be
punished accordingly; and that all Governments have a right to enact such
laws as in their judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest,
at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience. |
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| Honor civil authorities,
law |
6 |
We believe that every man should be honored in his station:
rulers and magistrates as such—being placed for the protection of
the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all
men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would
be supplanted by anarchy and terror: human laws being instituted for the
express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations,
between man and man, and divine laws, given of heaven, prescribing rules
on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man
to his Maker. |
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| Freedom of religion |
7 |
We believe that Rulers, States, and Governments have a right,
and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free
exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have
a right, in justice, to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe
them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to
the laws, and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy. |
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Punish criminals
"Good" laws |
8 |
We believe that the commission of crime should be punished
according to the nature of the offence: that murder, treason, robbery,
theft and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be
punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among
men, by the laws of that Government in which the offence committed:
and for the public peace and tranquility, all men should step forward and
use their ability in bringing offenders, against good laws, to punishment |
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| Separation of church
and state |
9 |
We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with
civil Government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another
proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its
members, as citizens, denied. |
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Churches may excommunicate
Not interfere with property
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10 |
We believe that all religious societies
have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct according
to the rules and regulations of such societies, provided that such dealings
be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious
society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to
take from them this world's goods, or to put
them in jeopardy of either life or limb, neither to to
inflict any physical punishment upon them,—they can only excommunicate
them from their society and withdraw from their them fellowship. |
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One of the charges against Oliver in his excommunication
trial was that he sold his land in Jackson county contrary to revelation.
He argued the case and the charge was dropped. ¶ Minutes
of April 12, 1838 |
| Right of self-defense |
11 |
We believe that men should appeal to the civil
law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted,
or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist
as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in
defending themselves, their friends and property, and the Government, from
the unlawful assaults and encroachments of
all persons in times of exigencies exigency, where
immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded. |
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| No interference with
bond-servants |
12 |
We believe it just to preach the gospel to the
nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the
corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with
bond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary
to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with, or influence
them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations
in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men: such interference
we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every
Government allowing human beings to be held in servitude. |
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D&C 133
Ohio Revelations
Doctrine and Covenants
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