What Is The Proper Role of Government? Part 1

Rod Klingler Rod Klingler

We live in a day when federal, state, and even local, governments interfere in nearly everything we do. Want to build another home on your 18 acres? Only if Big Brother says so. Want to park on the street or grow a garden in your front yard? Only if Big Brother says so. Want to travel by plane? Only if Big Brother says you can, and hasn't put you on a secret watch list, and only if you aren't carrying anything on Big Brother's blacklist. ("Four ounces of shampoo?!? Only terrorists travel with such paraphernalia!")

It's too bad America's citizens don't understand the proper role of government.

Thankfully, former Secretary of Agriculture (and Apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the time), Ezra Taft Benson, outlined the exact principles we need to know to keep from becoming slaves to government!

In this podcast, our buddies over at Defending Utah discuss the first four of the fifteen principles laid out by Benson, in his excellent work, The Proper Role of Government:

One:
“NO PEOPLE CAN MAINTAIN FREEDOM UNLESS THEIR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS ARE FOUNDED UPON FAITH IN GOD AND BELIEF IN THE EXISTENCE OF MORAL LAW.” 

Two:
“GOD HAS ENDOWED MEN WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS AS SET FORTH IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THAT NO LEGISLATURE AND NO MAJORITY, HOWEVER GREAT, MAY MORALLY LIMIT OR DESTROY THESE; THAT THE SOLE FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT IS TO PROTECT LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY AND ANYTHING MORE THAN THIS IS USURPATION AND OPPRESSION.” 

Three:
“THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES WAS PREPARED AND ADOPTED BY MEN ACTING UNDER INSPIRATION FROM ALMIGHTY GOD; THAT IT IS A SOLEMN COMPACT BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF THE STATES OF THIS NATION WHICH ALL OFFICERS OF GOVERNMENT ARE UNDER DUTY TO OBEY; THAT THE ETERNAL MORAL LAWS EXPRESSED THEREIN MUST BE ADHERED TO OR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY WILL PERISH.” 

Four:
“I BELIEVE IT A VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR GOVERNMENT TO DEPRIVE THE INDIVIDUAL OF EITHER LIFE, LIBERTY, OR PROPERTY EXCEPT FOR THESE PURPOSES:

(A) PUNISH CRIME AND PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE;

(B) PROTECT THE RIGHT AND CONTROL OF PRIVATE PROPERTY;

(C) WAGE DEFENSIVE WAR AND PROVIDE FOR THE NATION’S DEFENSE;

(D) COMPEL EACH ONE WHO ENJOYS THE PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT TO BEAR HIS FAIR SHARE OF THE BURDEN OF PERFORMING THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS.” 

You can see Ezra Taft Benson deliver The Proper Role of Government, himself, in the video above!

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