Comments on: Political Tuesday: LDS Political Thought: Lesson 2 (1948-49)

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:16:27 +0000

I don’t know, Cliff — anybody?

By: Cliff

Cliff — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:35:11 +0000

Question – Has there been any research/studies/thesis papers, etc., done on the early Utah history with respect to “limited government”. I guess what I am asking is, how would our own Mormon Government History compare to the limited government theory? Just asking!

By: Bruce Crow

Bruce Crow — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 12:52:44 +0000

I’m no Korea expert, but I’m not sure there is a meaningful connection between Korea being the “most Christianized” nation of the Asian mainland and the relatively low level of corruption. Not far off the mainland and you have three contrary examples. Japan also has a low level of corruption and I don’t think they are particularly Christian. Neither is Taiwan which has done a good job of curbing corruption since about the 80′s. On the flip side the Philippines is far more Christian but is certainly struggling with corruption.

China has an interesting political theory that parallels this. Corruption, government inefficiency, and social disorder (along with weather and astronomical signs) were indications that the the emperor had lost the mandate of heaven, usually because of poor moral leadership. The answer was state sponsored religion, historically Confucianism, to help maintain order. Corruption in China today, however, is rampant.

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 02:16:52 +0000

“How do you think Alma, the great Nephite Judge, would handle . . .” Truman desegregating the Armed Forces in 1948?

(I think he’d be with Truman – but I’m probably just asking for trouble.)

By: Vader

Vader — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:15:52 +0000

Korea is a particularly interesting example given that it is the most Christianized of mainland Asian nations.

Much of the historical Christian missionary success was in what is now North Korea. One wonders when freedom of religion will return to that area and whether any of that heritage will have survived.

By: Bruce Crow

Bruce Crow — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:48:02 +0000

Interesting political theory, and perhaps very Mormon.

It seems to me this political theory argues that getting at the root of the issues is the only effective way of solving societal problems. Modern efforts at nation building have been more successful in places where corruption (lack of morality) has been kept at a minimum. Since WWII only South Korea comes to mind as an example of that.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:44:56 +0000

I should install a “like” button for Capozaino’s #3.

By: Capozaino

Capozaino — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:08:23 +0000

“How do you think Alma, the great Nephite Judge, would handle … the atomic bomb?” Good question, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what prompted it or how to respond.

By: Vader

Vader — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:08:11 +0000

I recommend C.S. Lewis' The Abolition of Man, in which he discusses the morality common to all the great religions. I see no reason why common moral principles shared by most or all of the religions you name cannot inform our public morals.

By: ray

ray — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:14:35 +0000

Having God, a very specific God, involved in a state’s political life seems to make sense when the people that make up that state are the same religiously and racially and in every other way, but when you have a state that was specifically created to allow diversity of religious belief, it becomes a touch problematic. Whose God are we going to allow in to influence our state? The Anglican God? The Catholic God? The Native American God(s)? The Jewish God? The Muslim God?
Which? Does any other religion have as much right to be heard as ours? Perhaps the founders’ affection for the religious diversity and tolerance of Masonry was well-founded. Much as we may value the teachings of the Book of Mormon, until the day when all citizens of our nation are members of our church, we have to accommodate, not dictate.