This is the second part of the entire article. Part one is here. Both articles are based upon the Stewardship Principle found here. This article is not intended to be exhaustive, only to introduce concepts which I believe are valid, and essentialy reject market anarchism as a valid Christian aspiration.
The scriptures present a form of government which illustrate the following.
1. Defined boundaries of the government and use of tax revenue.
Towards the end of the ninth year of the reign of the judges, Alma, having been chief judge that entire time, stepped down to fulfill more fully, his duties as head of the church. So for the entire nine years, he was both head of government and the presiding officer of the church. His example in wielding authority sets an example on the proper use of tax revenue and the proper separation of church and state.
“And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people. Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.” Alma 4:11,12
Alma began to witness economic inequality among the Nephites. What did he choose to do? He was the head of government and could use tax revenue to ‘correct’ the inequality. After all wouldn’t that be the Christian thing to do? Absolutely not! Alma sought to correct the inequalities by yielding his governmental authority.
“And this he did that he himself might go forth among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them.” Alma 4:19
While it is contrary to the commandments of God to be lifted up in pride, and to turn your back on the poor and needy, the Lord has not made performing such actions a civil crime. Thus the Lord has not granted man the authority to enforce a negative sanction which does not exist. Alma recognized this and left his governmental authority to exercise his priesthood authority more fully. Alma did not use tax revenue or government sanctions to correct these issues, because the Lord had not delegated such authority in these instances.
Again, my purpose here is to not prove all aspects of this concept, only to prove there is a scriptural precedent.
2. The Lord has granted man the authority to enforce certain negative sanctions.
The authority to enforce the negative sanctions which will be discussed is based upon a previous article which can be found here based on the stewardship principle. It is not my intent to define all negative sanctions which the Lord has granted man the authority to enforce. My purpose is to prove that the concept is valid.
This concept is best illustrated in Alma’s conversation with Korihor. Remember that Korihor went from town to town ‘ridiculing Christ, the atonement, the spirit of prophecy’ and had been “leading away many women, and also many men, to commit whoredoms” (See Alma 30:18).
“Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to punish him.
But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.
For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man’s belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.” Alma 30:7-11
These verses strictly forbid man from using government authority to punish people for not worshiping the Lord. They do however state that adultery is a crime, and in this situation a law prohibiting adultery is not forcing anyone to worship the Lord. If a person does not believe in the Lord, he would obviously not believe in the Lord’s commandment prohibiting adultery, and would be opposed to any law making such action criminal. This is the argument of Korihor in Alma 30. Ultimately, no government sanctions were brought against Korihor, because there was no evidence he had committed a crime. His ultimate fate was the result of punishment inflicted by the Lord and reaping what he had sowed (i.e. ‘conquering according to his own strength’ (Alma 30:17,58,59).
The Lord has given man the authority to enforce certain negative sanctions. Man has the ability given him however, to choose whether to have these negative sanctions applied in their society.
“Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
“And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” Mosiah 29:26,27
Not everyone consented to the laws by which they were governed in the Nephite society. Alma’s discussion with Korihor illustrates limitations or boundaries of government power in making laws, and the Lord’s approval of man enforcing certain negative sanctions. If man voluntarily chooses laws in accordance with the Lord’s system, man has been promised peace and prosperity. If man voluntarily chooses laws not in accordance with the Lord’s system, man has been warned of self inflicted destruction and tyranny. The Lord permits man to reject him and his laws (see 1 Samuel 8:7-9), but man is not guilty of sin or oppression over other people if they stay within the bounds the Lord has set.
Conclusion
The reign of the judges occurred approximately between 91 B.C. and 30 A.D. and cover about 200 of the 521 pages of the Book of Mormon. All before the time Christ came to the American continent. Of all the things Mormon and Moroni could have included in this book, I believe the Lord inspired them to include references to a model of government quite similar to constitutional government. There are several examples of how the Nephite government was wielded, and challenges it faced. I believe it provides Christians a foundation for promoting a proper form of government and for lifting up societies as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is spread throughout the Earth.
The form advocated is only upheld by the righteousness of people and can be rejected by covenant breakers. As the gospel is spread, it is the Lord’s intention that this form of government be the byproduct of Christian’s votes within a jurisdiction. The Book of Mormon shows examples of proper use of state power. The scriptures as a whole provide an example of a form of government, supported by critical tax restrictions, which if rejected will lead to tyranny. The scriptures authorize government with critical limitations and is sustained by majority vote which can be rejected by man to their ultimate destruction or upheld with no offense to God.
I believe the scriptures show us these things to help Christians in these latter days know how to vote for government officials and policies. As the gospel spreads, Christians act as the leaven in geographical areas to vote for policies in accordance with state limitations as described within the scriptures. By adhering to what we know is true, peace, justice and prosperity can prevail.
The scriptures refer to the concepts set forth in this article as a government which established liberty (see Alma 43). Capitan Moroni defended such government and called it liberty. I believe we can call government modeled after such principles, a government which has established liberty as well.
