Political Science, Why I Study

Another term as begun at OSU, and I'm looking forward to my whopping two classes. Tough, I know. But I think I've got a good excuse to taking only 8 credits. Anyway.... I'm in a Political Philosophy and a Macroeconomics class. I can tell I'm going to hear things that will both test and reaffirm my beliefs. So I wanted to write a small series of posts of why I choose to study political science, why I chose my particular party, why I find politics so fascinating, and why the Church does not pick a party, yet encourages members to be active participants in the political sphere. 

For me, it boils down to my belief that the Constitution is divinely inspired, and in fact, our prophets have said it IS scripture. My goal in studying politics has always been to connect the dots between what the prophets and Christ taught and what our Constitution says.  

I want to now share some of my favorite quotes by Harold B. Lee about our Constitution:

Youth must never forget that this the government of the United States was established “According to the laws and constitution of the people, which (God) has suffered to be established. . . . That every man may act in doctrine and principle . . . according to the moral agency which (God) has given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.” It was to accomplish this lofty purpose basic to all liberty that God “established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom (he) raised up unto this very purpose.” (D&C 101:77–80.) Contained within the principles of that great heaven-inspired document is the message of this Church to the world in this fateful hour. Except the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and principles contained within the Constitution of the United States are inherent in world plans now being formulated, they are but building on sand and the Lord is not in that building. (Decisions for Successful Living)

The Constitution of the United States has been mentioned several times by speakers in this conference as the basis of wise decisions in fundamental principles as applied to all matters pertaining to law and order, because it was framed by men whom God raised up for this very purpose. But in addition to that inspired document, we must always keep in mind that the greatest weapons that can be forged against any false philosophy are the positive teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (“A Time of Decision” 32)

I particularly like this quote because it tells us that our job as citizens is not to enact laws that require moral behaviors, but that our job is to simply TEACH morality. We cannot force others to live by our standards, but we can teach correct principles. 

We urge members of the Church and all Americans to begin now to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of the Constitution, and of adherence to its principles. (“News of the Church” 90)