“An essential part of loving our enemies is to render unto
Caesar by keeping the laws of our various countries. Though Jesus’s teachings
were revolutionary, He did not teach revolution or lawbreaking. He taught a
better way. And our article of faith, written by the Prophet Joseph Smith after
the early Saints had suffered severe persecution from Missouri officials,
declares, ‘We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and
magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law’ This does not mean
that we agree with all that is done with the force of law. It means that we
obey the current law and use peaceful means to change it. It also means that we
peacefully accept the results of elections. We will not participate in the violence
threatened by those disappointed with the outcome. In a democratic society we
always have the opportunity and the duty to persist peacefully until the next
election.” – President Dallin H. Oaks
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