Ron Paul ( R ) for President Ron Paul ( R ) for President 20082008

An Appeal to LDS VotersAn Appeal to LDS Voterswww.UT4RonPaul.comwww.UT4RonPaul.com

Section ISection I

Basis for voting and support of Basis for voting and support of candidatescandidates

What direction Have we been What direction Have we been given?given?

D&C 98:10D&C 98:10

Wherefore, Wherefore, honesthonest men men and and wisewise men should be men should be sought for diligently, sought for diligently, and and goodgood men and men and wisewise men ye should observe men ye should observe to uphold; to uphold;

We are instructed to seek after We are instructed to seek after candidates who have 3 basic candidates who have 3 basic

qualities:qualities:

HonestyHonesty GoodnessGoodness WisdomWisdom

Why is it important to support Why is it important to support candidates who are candidates who are honesthonest? ?

Every official elected to Federal office, as Every official elected to Federal office, as well as most state and local officials and well as most state and local officials and military servicemen, takes an Oath to uphold military servicemen, takes an Oath to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United and protect the Constitution of the United States. States. An honest candidate will, if elected, An honest candidate will, if elected, obey the Oath of Office.obey the Oath of Office.

Honest candidates will not be deceptive Honest candidates will not be deceptive about their positions on issues or other about their positions on issues or other loyalties in order to get electedloyalties in order to get elected

An Honest candidate is less likely to have An Honest candidate is less likely to have dealings in their past which can be used by dealings in their past which can be used by political enemies, special interests or secret political enemies, special interests or secret combinations to threaten them into combinations to threaten them into submission with a particular agenda. submission with a particular agenda.

President Brigham Young:President Brigham Young:

““We, like all other good citizens, We, like all other good citizens, should seek to place these men should seek to place these men in power who will feel the in power who will feel the obligations and responsibilities obligations and responsibilities they are under… and realize the they are under… and realize the important trusts reposed in them important trusts reposed in them by the voice of the people who by the voice of the people who call them to administer law under call them to administer law under the solemn sanction of an oath of the solemn sanction of an oath of fidelity to that heaven inspired fidelity to that heaven inspired instrument [The Constitution], to instrument [The Constitution], to the inviolate preservation of the inviolate preservation of which we look for the perpetuity which we look for the perpetuity of our free institutions.”of our free institutions.”

Why is it important to support Why is it important to support candidates who are candidates who are goodgood? ?

A candidate who is good will have good A candidate who is good will have good intentions, and will make decisions based on intentions, and will make decisions based on righteous principlesrighteous principles

A candidate who is good will weigh decisions A candidate who is good will weigh decisions on policy based on the best interest of all on policy based on the best interest of all society, or the “general welfare” as opposed society, or the “general welfare” as opposed to specific welfare based on the benefit of a to specific welfare based on the benefit of a few or the majority. few or the majority.

A candidate who truly desires to do good will A candidate who truly desires to do good will not make decisions based on political not make decisions based on political expediency, or a desire to retain power. He expediency, or a desire to retain power. He will make the right decisions regardless of will make the right decisions regardless of their unpopularity. their unpopularity.

Why is it important to seek Why is it important to seek after after wise wise men for office?men for office?

What does D&C 98 mean by What does D&C 98 mean by wisdomwisdom??

What “wisdom” has the Lord revealed to What “wisdom” has the Lord revealed to us about earthly government?us about earthly government?

D&C 98:D&C 98: 5. And that law of the land which is 5. And that law of the land which is

constitutional, supporting that principle of constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. justifiable before me.

6. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and 6. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of that law which is the constitutional law of the land; the land;

7. And 7. And as pertaining to law of man, as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.cometh of evil.

What “wisdom” has the Lord revealed to What “wisdom” has the Lord revealed to us about earthly government?us about earthly government?

D&C 134:D&C 134:

2. We believe that no 2. We believe that no government can exist in peace, government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the to each individual the free free exercise of conscienceexercise of conscience, the , the right and control of right and control of propertyproperty, , and the protection ofand the protection of lifelife. .

Wisdom regarding government:Wisdom regarding government:

A wise candidate will have an understanding of A wise candidate will have an understanding of the the proper role of governmentproper role of government, as envisioned , as envisioned by the founders and enacted under the inspiration by the founders and enacted under the inspiration of God in the United States Constitution. of God in the United States Constitution.

A wise candidate will value and formulate policies A wise candidate will value and formulate policies based on the principles of inspired government based on the principles of inspired government that the Lord has revealed. that the Lord has revealed.

Ezra Taft BensonEzra Taft Benson We must do as the Lord We must do as the Lord

commanded us by revelation commanded us by revelation in 1833. Men who are wise, in 1833. Men who are wise, good, and honest, who will good, and honest, who will uphold the Constitution of uphold the Constitution of the United States in the the United States in the tradition of the Founding tradition of the Founding Fathers, must be sought for Fathers, must be sought for diligently. This is our hope to diligently. This is our hope to restore government to its restore government to its rightful role. (“A Witness rightful role. (“A Witness and A Warning”, Ensign, and A Warning”, Ensign, Nov. 1979)Nov. 1979)

Isn’t it enough for a Isn’t it enough for a candidate to just be candidate to just be

good and honest?good and honest? If a candidate is Good and Honest, but lacks the If a candidate is Good and Honest, but lacks the

wisdom and understanding of the proper role of wisdom and understanding of the proper role of government, they can do much harm despite government, they can do much harm despite their good intentions. their good intentions.

They can be very effectively manipulated by They can be very effectively manipulated by those with bad motivations.those with bad motivations.

They can be seduced by false ideas of They can be seduced by false ideas of government which according to D&C 98 government which according to D&C 98 “cometh of evil”.“cometh of evil”.

They could even, despite their good They could even, despite their good intentions, enact oppressive legislation intentions, enact oppressive legislation that goes beyond the proper role of that goes beyond the proper role of government which could later be used government which could later be used against the Church and others for bad.against the Church and others for bad.

Elder Neal A Maxwell:Elder Neal A Maxwell:

“ “The voting booth is very democratic, The voting booth is very democratic, but the shaping of the alternatives is but the shaping of the alternatives is aristocratic; it is work that is done by a aristocratic; it is work that is done by a few. I've been struck over and over few. I've been struck over and over again in my experiences with again in my experiences with government and politics, modest as government and politics, modest as they are, by the Lord's counsel that they are, by the Lord's counsel that honest, wise, and good individuals honest, wise, and good individuals "should be sought for diligently" and "should be sought for diligently" and that such individuals we should that such individuals we should "observe to uphold" (see D&C 98:10). "observe to uphold" (see D&C 98:10). Ponder those words. Ponder those words. Seeking out Seeking out special individuals implies that the special individuals implies that the special individuals needed may not be special individuals needed may not be those who are first in line as eager those who are first in line as eager volunteers”volunteers” (“BYU Devotional, October (“BYU Devotional, October 1976)1976)

Section 2Section 2

The Divinely Inspired United The Divinely Inspired United States Constitution.States Constitution.

What Revelation have we been given What Revelation have we been given regarding the Constitution of the United regarding the Constitution of the United

States?States? 77 According to the laws and constitution 77 According to the laws and constitution

of the people, which I have suffered to be of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; according to just and holy principles;

    78 That every man may act in doctrine 78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. judgment.

    79 Therefore, it is not right that any man 79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. should be in bondage one to another.

    80 And for this purpose have 80 And for this purpose have I established I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purposevery purpose, and redeemed the land by , and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood. the shedding of blood.

The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. on the The Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. on the Constitution:Constitution:

““The Constitution of the United States The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun. . . .of the sun. . . .

We say that God is true; that the We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true. (TPJS 147-true; that the Bible is true. (TPJS 147-48)”48)”

President Heber J. Grant on the Constitution:President Heber J. Grant on the Constitution:

““All Latter-day Saints believe All Latter-day Saints believe absolutely that the absolutely that the Constitution of our Country Constitution of our Country was inspired of God, and that was inspired of God, and that he used wise men, noble he used wise men, noble men, as instruments in his men, as instruments in his hands for establishing that hands for establishing that Constitution.” (CR [Oct 1927] Constitution.” (CR [Oct 1927] 5)5)

President David O McKay on the President David O McKay on the Constitution:Constitution:

““I repeat that I repeat that no greater no greater immediate responsibilityimmediate responsibility rests upon members of the rests upon members of the Church, upon all citizens of Church, upon all citizens of this Republic and of this Republic and of neighboring Republics than neighboring Republics than to protect the freedom to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the vouchsafed by the Constitution of the United Constitution of the United States.” (Free Agency, a States.” (Free Agency, a Divine Gift 367,378)Divine Gift 367,378)

But we are a worldwide Church! Why is But we are a worldwide Church! Why is the Constitution of one Country So the Constitution of one Country So

Important?Important? Remember what D&C 98 and 101 Said: The Remember what D&C 98 and 101 Said: The

Constitution of the United States “belongs to all Constitution of the United States “belongs to all mankind” and was established “for the rights and mankind” and was established “for the rights and protection of all flesh”.protection of all flesh”.

The United States Constitution spawned a worldwide The United States Constitution spawned a worldwide movement among nations towards republican movement among nations towards republican government. These governments are characterized government. These governments are characterized by division of power, representation of the people and by division of power, representation of the people and respect for the “natural rights” of Life, Liberty and respect for the “natural rights” of Life, Liberty and Property (D&C 134:2)Property (D&C 134:2)

Although many of these other constitutions have Although many of these other constitutions have been flawed or short-lived the Constitution of the been flawed or short-lived the Constitution of the United States has nevertheless served as an example United States has nevertheless served as an example of limited government and human liberty since its of limited government and human liberty since its adoption by the American colonies. adoption by the American colonies.

Section 3Section 3

Whose Plan for National Security Whose Plan for National Security Should We Follow?Should We Follow?

What is the World’s Plan for Security?What is the World’s Plan for Security?

Interventionist foreign conflictsInterventionist foreign conflicts to impose to impose “democracy” or achieve other benevolent “democracy” or achieve other benevolent objectives through force of arms.objectives through force of arms.

Liberty and Security are portrayed as Liberty and Security are portrayed as opposing opposing idealsideals, incompatible with one , incompatible with one another. Laws which protect liberty are another. Laws which protect liberty are undermined in the name of security. undermined in the name of security.

Trust in the “arm of flesh”Trust in the “arm of flesh” through threats through threats and the use of military force instead of and the use of military force instead of trust in the Lord. trust in the Lord.

Does the World’s Plan Work? Does the World’s Plan Work? Wars of Intervention:Wars of Intervention:

The United States first fully embraced military The United States first fully embraced military interventionism in the early 1900’s under the Wilson interventionism in the early 1900’s under the Wilson Administration and WWI.Administration and WWI.

During this same time period, the world has suffered During this same time period, the world has suffered more from war than at any other time in history. more from war than at any other time in history.

Historians overwhelmingly agree that WWII was a direct Historians overwhelmingly agree that WWII was a direct and unavoidable result of the interventionist policies and unavoidable result of the interventionist policies adopted at the end of the war and the conditions placed adopted at the end of the war and the conditions placed upon Germany by the Treaty of Versailles. upon Germany by the Treaty of Versailles.

Attempts to intervene and impose ideals, philosophies or Attempts to intervene and impose ideals, philosophies or systems of government by world powers frequently has systems of government by world powers frequently has negative consequences. These negative consequences negative consequences. These negative consequences not only undermine the objectives of the intervening not only undermine the objectives of the intervening party, but in many cases have been disastrous to the party, but in many cases have been disastrous to the world at large. This historical reality is commonly world at large. This historical reality is commonly referred to by policy makers and intelligence officials as referred to by policy makers and intelligence officials as “blowback”.“blowback”.

President Gordon B. Hinckley:President Gordon B. Hinckley:Death, waste and hatred, the effects of Death, waste and hatred, the effects of interventionist wars:interventionist wars:

““No one can ever estimate the terrible No one can ever estimate the terrible suffering incident to these wars across the globe. Lives suffering incident to these wars across the globe. Lives numbered in the millions have been lost. The terrible numbered in the millions have been lost. The terrible wounds of war have left bodies maimed and minds wounds of war have left bodies maimed and minds destroyed. Families have been left without fathers and destroyed. Families have been left without fathers and mothers. Young people who have been recruited to mothers. Young people who have been recruited to fight have, in many instances, died while fight have, in many instances, died while those yet those yet alive have had woven into the very fabric of their alive have had woven into the very fabric of their natures elements of hatred which will never leave natures elements of hatred which will never leave them.them. The treasure of nations has been wasted and will The treasure of nations has been wasted and will never be recovered. never be recovered.

The devastation of war seems so unnecessary and such The devastation of war seems so unnecessary and such a terrible waste of human life and national resources. a terrible waste of human life and national resources. We ask, will this terrible, destructive way of handling We ask, will this terrible, destructive way of handling disagreements among the sons and daughters of God disagreements among the sons and daughters of God ever end? ” ever end? ”

Does the World’s Plan Work? Does the World’s Plan Work? Liberty vs. Security: A Formula for DisasterLiberty vs. Security: A Formula for Disaster

It is estimated that in the 20It is estimated that in the 20thth century alone, 169 million people century alone, 169 million people were killed by their own government. were killed by their own government. (Rummel, Death by (Rummel, Death by Government)Government). .

These killings were undertaken by leaders like Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, These killings were undertaken by leaders like Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Polpot, Mao and others who made grand promises of security and Polpot, Mao and others who made grand promises of security and called upon their people to relinquish personal freedoms. called upon their people to relinquish personal freedoms.

This teaches us that This teaches us that the greatest threat to security is not liberty, the greatest threat to security is not liberty, but the government that tries to undermine libertybut the government that tries to undermine liberty in the name of in the name of security. security.

The statistical threat to you and your family posed by radical The statistical threat to you and your family posed by radical Islamic terrorism, even after 9/11, is minute by comparison. In fact, Islamic terrorism, even after 9/11, is minute by comparison. In fact, statistically you are in greater danger of being struck by lightning. statistically you are in greater danger of being struck by lightning.

Is this threat, real though it may be, really worth undermining the Is this threat, real though it may be, really worth undermining the God-inspired laws which secure to us our liberties and unalienable God-inspired laws which secure to us our liberties and unalienable rights?rights?

Is there a plan for Security that works, and Is there a plan for Security that works, and doesn’t doesn’t involve involve undermining liberty?undermining liberty?

President Spencer W. Kimball:President Spencer W. Kimball:Trust in Military Capability: Modern Idol Trust in Military Capability: Modern Idol Worship.Worship.““In spite of our delight in defining ourselves In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern, and our tendency to think we as modern, and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever had we are, on the whole, an past ever had we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people—a condition most idolatrous people—a condition most repugnant to the Lord. repugnant to the Lord. We are a warlike people, easily distracted We are a warlike people, easily distracted from our assignment of preparing for the from our assignment of preparing for the coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, coming of the Lord. When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication we commit vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and steel—ships, planes, of gods of stone and steel—ships, planes, missiles, fortifications—and depend on them missiles, fortifications—and depend on them for protection and deliverance. When for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we become anti-enemy instead of threatened, we become anti-enemy instead of pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the art pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan’s counterfeit of true manner of Satan’s counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Savior’s teaching.” patriotism, perverting the Savior’s teaching.”

President Spencer W. Kimball: President Spencer W. Kimball: Trust in Military Capability: Modern Idol Trust in Military Capability: Modern Idol Worship.Worship.““We forget that if we are righteous the Lord will We forget that if we are righteous the Lord will either not suffer our enemies to come upon useither not suffer our enemies to come upon us—and this is the special promise to the —and this is the special promise to the inhabitants of the land of the Americas (2inhabitants of the land of the Americas (2ndnd Nephi 1:7)—or he will fight our battles for us. Nephi 1:7)—or he will fight our battles for us. This he is able to do…This he is able to do…What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the Lord at his word and Can we not take the Lord at his word and exercise a particle of faith in him? Our exercise a particle of faith in him? Our assignment is affirmative: to forsake the things assignment is affirmative: to forsake the things of the world as ends in themselves; to leave off of the world as ends in themselves; to leave off idolatry and press forward in faith; to carry the idolatry and press forward in faith; to carry the gospel to our enemies, that they might no gospel to our enemies, that they might no longer be our enemies. longer be our enemies. We must leave off the worship of modern-day We must leave off the worship of modern-day idols and a reliance on the “arm of flesh,” for idols and a reliance on the “arm of flesh,” for the Lord has said to all the world in our day, “I the Lord has said to all the world in our day, “I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.” will not spare any that remain in Babylon.” (First Presidency Message “The False Gods We (First Presidency Message “The False Gods We Worship” June, 1976)Worship” June, 1976)

What is the Lord’s Plan for What is the Lord’s Plan for Security?Security?

• We must serve the God of this land We must serve the God of this land who is Jesus Christ.who is Jesus Christ.

• Security, Liberty and Morality are all Security, Liberty and Morality are all mutually supporting ideals, none of mutually supporting ideals, none of which can exist without the others. which can exist without the others.

• Trust in the Lord to protect us from Trust in the Lord to protect us from our enemies. our enemies.

• Set an example for other nations who Set an example for other nations who will see our prosperity and freedom will see our prosperity and freedom and desire to emulate us. and desire to emulate us.

• War is to be avoided, only engaged in War is to be avoided, only engaged in for defense and through the process for defense and through the process required by the inspired Constitution.required by the inspired Constitution.

President Joseph F. Smith:President Joseph F. Smith:

““I think it is wrong, wickedly I think it is wrong, wickedly wrong, to force war upon any wrong, to force war upon any nation, or upon any people, [but] I nation, or upon any people, [but] I believe it is righteous and just for believe it is righteous and just for every people to defend their own every people to defend their own lives and their own liberties, and lives and their own liberties, and their own homes, with the last their own homes, with the last drop of their blood. I believe it is drop of their blood. I believe it is right, and I believe that the Lord right, and I believe that the Lord will sustain any people in will sustain any people in defending their own liberty to defending their own liberty to worship God according to the worship God according to the dictates of their conscience, any dictates of their conscience, any people trying to preserve their people trying to preserve their wives and their children from the wives and their children from the ravages of the war.” (ravages of the war.” (Gospel Gospel Doctrine,Doctrine, 418–19) 418–19)

The Lord’s Plan for Security:The Lord’s Plan for Security:

Liberty and Security through following the Constitution• The Founders viewed war as the greatest potential threat to both liberty

and economic prosperity of a nation. • They saw the evils that arose from the British system, which allowed the

King to declare and wage war on his own, without the consent of the people.

• To avoid this, they carefully separated these two powers. They gave the power to declare war to the Congress (Article I Section 8), and the power to wage war to the President as Commander-In-Chief.

• This ensured not only that war could not be undertaken without the consent of the people, but that it would be almost impossible to do except in a situation of true need.

• The “letters of Marque and Reprisal” powers granted to Congress provide a way for the United States to eliminate threats from individuals or groups who are not governments.

• It is not necessary to go to war against entire nations because certain individuals within those nations pose a threat to us. Powerful people who stand to benefit from long, undefined wars against nation after nation want you to believe that it is necessary.

President John Taylor:President John Taylor:““We believe that our We believe that our fathers were inspired to fathers were inspired to write the Constitution of write the Constitution of the United States…that it the United States…that it was dictated by a wise was dictated by a wise and foreseeing policy…and foreseeing policy…and that and that the strict the strict observance of which is the observance of which is the only safeguard of this only safeguard of this mighty nationmighty nation” ”

((The Gospel Kingdom,The Gospel Kingdom, 309-310) 309-310)

Section 4Section 4An Inspired Prophecy and An Inspired Prophecy and YourYour

Role in its Fulfillment.Role in its Fulfillment.

Marion G. RomneyMarion G. Romney"We who hold the priesthood must beware concerning ourselves, that we do not fall in the traps Satan lays to rob us of our freedom. We must be careful that we are not led to accept or support in any way any organization, cause or measure which in its remotest effort, would jeopardize free agency, whether it be in politics, government, religion, employment, education, or in any other field. It is not enough for us to be sincere in what we support. We must be right!” (Marion G. Romney, Conference, October 1960)