flameburns623 Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 https://themormonworker.net/past-issues/archive/an-introduction-to-mormon-anarchism/ In an attempt to see if anyone had done any comparison/contrast between Catholic Social Teaching and LDS welfare systems, I came upon the above. I reviwed the rules before posting, which seem to say to avoid politics "except directly pertaining to the Church". If this thread is inappropriate I will understand. I have only glanced over the blog quickly. A unique interpretation of LDS socioeconomic teaching to say the least. Thoughts?
stemelbow Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 30 minutes ago, flameburns623 said: https://themormonworker.net/past-issues/archive/an-introduction-to-mormon-anarchism/ In an attempt to see if anyone had done any comparison/contrast between Catholic Social Teaching and LDS welfare systems, I came upon the above. I reviwed the rules before posting, which seem to say to avoid politics "except directly pertaining to the Church". If this thread is inappropriate I will understand. I have only glanced over the blog quickly. A unique interpretation of LDS socioeconomic teaching to say the least. Thoughts? It certainly has it's appeal and some grounding.
Popular Post smac97 Posted March 11, 2016 Popular Post Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) The core concept of anarchy, it's raison d'etre, is the absence of government. The link you provide is explicit on that point ("In this paper I wish to show that the consistent application of the principles expounded in Mormon scripture, should lead a person to become an anarchist. In other words, every Mormon should look forward to the abolition of government and the building of a socialist society..."). The 12th Article of Faith states: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." See also D&C 134:1: "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, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society." And verse 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 own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience." Anarchy is condemned in verse 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 owe 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." General Authorities have condemned and taught against anarchy. See here: Quote Elder Erastus Snow explained: “Anarchy—shall I say, is the worst of all governments? No: Anarchy is the absence of all government; it is the antipodes [opposite] of order; it is the acme of confusion; it is the result of unbridled license, the antipodes of true liberty. The Apostle Paul says truly: ‘For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.’ At first this is a startling statement. Even the monopoly of the one-man-power as in Russia [the Czar], or the monopoly of the aristocracy as in other parts of Europe, or the imbecility and sometimes stupidity of a republic like our own, is far better than no government at all. And for this reason, says the Apostle Paul, ‘The powers are ordained of God,’ not that they are always the best forms of government for the people, or that they afford liberty and freedom to mankind but that any and all forms of government are better than none at all, having a tendency as they do to restrain the passions of human nature and to curb them, and to establish and maintain order to a greater or less degree. One monopoly is better than many; and the oppression of a king is tolerable, but the oppression of a mob, where every man is a law to himself and his own right arm, is his power to enforce his own will, is the worst form of government.” (In Journal of Discourses, 22:151.) ... Many leaders of the Church have spoken on the importance of Church members choosing righteous leaders. In January 1928 the First Presidency (Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley) issued a statement that read in part: ... “Without beneficent laws, righteously administered, the foundations of civilization crumble, anarchy reigns, decay and dissolution follow. “We call upon all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world to honor the laws of God, and obey and uphold the law of the land; and we appeal to good men and women everywhere, regardless of creed, party affiliation, race or condition to join with us in an effort to put into operation the words of Lincoln, the great emancipator, that our country may continue to be a light to the world, a loyal, law-abiding, God-fearing nation.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1928, p. 16.) And here: Quote President Smith, who had witnessed the mob violence of Nauvoo, often spoke of the importance of the rule of law in a civilized society. He and his Counselors in the First Presidency urged the Saints to be law-abiding and loyal citizens wherever they lived and to be faithful in their allegiance to their governments.1 On one occasion when a government official expressed contempt for the United States Constitution, President Smith countered: “Latter-day Saints cannot tolerate such a spirit as this. It is anarchy. It means destruction. It is the spirit of mobocracy, and the Lord knows we have suffered enough from mobocracy, and we do not want any more of it. … We cannot afford to yield to that spirit or contribute to it in the least degree. We should stand with a front like flint against every spirit or species of contempt or disrespect for the constitution of our country and the constitutional laws of our land.” As with many folks who dabble too long in the philosophies of men to the neglectful exclusion of the inspired principles of the Restored Gospel, Bro. Van Wagenen is, doctrinally-speaking, off the grid. He is openly advocating for the abandonment and destruction of government, which has been "instituted by God for the benefit of man." That just does not work. Anarchy and Mormonism are not compatible. Never have been. Never will be. Thanks, -Smac Edited March 11, 2016 by smac97 9
flameburns623 Posted March 11, 2016 Author Posted March 11, 2016 smac97: Thanks. This was an odd thing to happen across. Really. Odd.
smac97 Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 35 minutes ago, flameburns623 said: smac97: Thanks. This was an odd thing to happen across. Really. Odd. I came across it a few years back, and I believe we discussed it on this board briefly. Yes, it is rather odd. I want to come across a website by a fellow who suggested that the Book of Mormon took place in Japan, and that the Nephites were the predecessors of the Samurai Warriors. That was also fairly odd. 2
The Nehor Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 I think it does a decent job of pointing out our economic and political problems but his solution is flawed. We have seen anarchy before when government falls en masse. Last time it happened on a large scale in the west we got the glory of feudalism. 1
mfbukowski Posted March 11, 2016 Posted March 11, 2016 5 hours ago, flameburns623 said: https://themormonworker.net/past-issues/archive/an-introduction-to-mormon-anarchism/ In an attempt to see if anyone had done any comparison/contrast between Catholic Social Teaching and LDS welfare systems, I came upon the above. I reviwed the rules before posting, which seem to say to avoid politics "except directly pertaining to the Church". If this thread is inappropriate I will understand. I have only glanced over the blog quickly. A unique interpretation of LDS socioeconomic teaching to say the least. Thoughts? Skimmed the first few paragraphs. Conclusive proof that if one can pass a temple recommend interview, one is as "Mormon" as one can be, politics and everything else aside. Not sure about the details or if this person is in this category, but I can imagine a faithful member writing this.
cdowis Posted March 12, 2016 Posted March 12, 2016 " t I can imagine a faithful member writing this. " You have a very vivid imagination.
flameburns623 Posted March 12, 2016 Author Posted March 12, 2016 There's a podcast by the author of this blog but I am reluctant to keep stoking this thread.
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