10. Goodness and Wisdom

An editorial comment in a special election issue of the Cleverly Newsletter dated October 26, 1976.

The November elections are soon upon us. Editorially the Newsletter had not intended to take a stand favoring any particular party, issue, or candidate. We firmly believe that each member of the family can and should arrive at his own conclusions after weighing the facts and considering the issues. We think it entirely appropriate that the important decisions made next Tuesday be made a matter of serious personal study and prayer.

As indicated, we had not intended to take a stand. However, we now feel compelled to do so for various reasons.

First, we firmly believe the maxim that "all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." We feel that we have an obligation to let you know where we stand and why.

Second, it has been a long-standing tradition in America for newspapers and other publications to publicly endorse candidates. We feel that this is a healthy practice if it helps the citizenry sort out the issues and the candidates.

Third, and most important in our minds, we feel that there are some specific candidates who do not merit our support—specifically, Jimmie Carter and, for those of us in Utah, Allen Howe. Now, in saying this, we speak for ourselves and do not imply in any way that we represent the overall family, the Church, or any other agency.

Jimmie Carter, by his own admission, does not qualify as one who is either good or wise. And these are precisely the qualifications the Lord tells us should be required of every office seeker: "Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold" (D&C 98:10; italics added).

No man, in our opinion, who says, "I've looked on a lot of women with lust," deserves or is capable of fulfilling the trust associated with the presidency of these United States. John Adams, the second president of our nation, said: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" (John R. Howe Jr., The Changing Political Thought of John Adams, 189).

That is simply a true fact: Our government will only work if we are a moral and a religious people. Public morality cannot be disassociated from private morality, as Watergate should have taught us.

George Washington, the father of our country, said the same thing in other words: "Of all the dispositions and habits, which leade to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the destinies of men and citizens. . . . And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. . . .

"Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?" (George Washington's Farewell Address, The World's Great Speeches, 254, 256).

Alexis de Tocqueville expressed a similar thought: "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in her fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great" (Jerrald L. Newquist, Prophets, Principles and National Survival, 60; italics added).

We do not feel that Jimmie Carter qualifies as one who is good in the sense that the Lord meant it. Nor do we feel that he is very wise, especially when a leader of his own party says that he should have kept his mouth shut. According to Senate Republican leader Hugh Scott, "The trouble with Jimmie Carter is that when he says what he really thinks, it comes out pretty scary."

It is for similar reasons we oppose Congressman Allen Howe, the incumbent Utah Democrat seeking reelection to the House and who has twice been convicted of soliciting sex for hire. We also have our doubts about Howe's goodness and wisdom. He seems unable to accept or follow good counsel—either from the leaders of his own party or from a prophet of God, who publicly said that Howe should not seek reelection. Howe is a member of the Church. He should know better. If his judgment is no better than that, we do not want him representing us in Congress.

A prophet of God has wisely said, "Many Americans have lost sight of the truth that righteousness is one of the indispensable ingredient to liberty. . . .

"Unless we as citizens of this nation forsake our sins, political and otherwise, and return to the fundamental principles of Christianity and of constitutional government, we will lose our political liberties, our free institutions, and will stand in jeorpardy before God of losing our exaltation. I am in full agreement with the statement made by President J. Reuben Clark Jr.:

"'I say to you that the price of liberty is and always has been blood, human blood, and if our liberties are lost, we shall never regain them except at the price of blood. They must not be lost!' (Stand by Our Constitution, 137).

"Yes, I repeat, righteousness is an indispensable ingredient to liberty. Virtuous people elect wise and good representatives. Good representatives make good laws and then wisely administer them. This tends to preserve righteousness. An unvirtuous citizenry tend to elect representatives who will pander to their covetous lustings. The burden of self-government is a great responsibility. It calls for restraint, righteousness, responsibility, and reliance upon God. It is a truism from the Lord that 'when the wicked rule the people mourn' (D&C 98:9)" (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1976, 92-93).