Faith, without Works [in politics] Is Dead

Voting alone is not enough.

I'm a little disappointed as a Mormon towards my fellow Mormons in the following way.

 Many have the tendency to believe that since the LDS church stays out of politics, the members themselves should also remain apolitical. And that is in spite of the church leadership’s repeated encouragement to get involved. Oh, yeah. They'll vote. But that's about it.

Further, many will say, “It is in God’s hands. So I don’t have to worry about that.” But this is a classic example of “faith without works, is dead.” Can you imagine how disappointed God would be if we had that attitude toward our fellow man's needs? "Have faith my brother, but I think I'll stay my hand in helping you in your time of need because God will take care of you." Nope. It doesn't work that way. We are the instruments in God's hands to further his work.

Take the current attempt for state legislatures to call a Convention of States to propose much needed amendments to the Constitution that the US Congress will never propose. Article V spells out that process clearly. And it will only work if the citizenry is engaged.

The Constitution was inspired to be USED, not hung on a wall.

One of the best loved LDS scriptures on the subject is Doctrine & Covenants 101:80. 

And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Many stop reading there, but look at these nuggets in the following verses, Doctrine & Covenants 101:85 to 90.

Thus will I liken the children of Zion.
Let them importune at the feet of the judge;
And if he heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the governor;
And if the governor heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the president;
And if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the nation;
And in his hot displeasure, and in his fierce anger, in his time, will cut off those wicked, unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion among hypocrites, and unbelievers;

God will bless our nation AFTER we have exhausted our efforts.

This is clear to me. God won’t bless our nation and restore our self-governing principles, until AFTER we do the work. The Lord will not “come forth out of his hiding place” and “vex the nation” until we have exhausted all of our own efforts. The silent majority has to wake up and DO something!

Politics can get dirty. But like farming, you have to get your hands dirty if you want to reap the harvest. And the harvest I speak of is the restoration of the Constitution's original intent that has been lost by the Federal government’s unchecked usurpations.

What if Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson and the other founders decided to leave the politics of their day entirely in the hands of God? What if they never lifted a finger to fight the uphill battle for freedom and self-governance. Were would we be today?

Additional listening: What Happens if We Do Nothing? LIVE from Redeemer Bible Church with John Benzinger