‘Citizenship and Conscience’: A Series on the Worldwide Church

Mormon Newsroom released the second of a three-part series on the worldwide church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Part two of the series focuses on the idea that “to be a good Mormon is also to be a good citizen. ”

Although religion and government are separate, they cannot ignore each other nor should they be enemies. Mormon Newsroom states,

[pull_quote_center]The spheres of spirituality and law differ, but they cooperate best when freedom of conscience and the common good make space one for another.[/pull_quote_center]

The second part of the series explains that Mormons believe in obeying and honoring the law and that government can only exist in peace when laws allow individuals the free exercise of conscience. It also explains that the Church is aware of the diverse cultures and regulations in the various parts of the world where its members reside. However, the Church never dictates the way a member identifies politically because “the range of political opinions throughout the worldwide Church is a healthy and productive thing.”

Being a good Mormon also means doing your best to be an active member of the community. “For the most part, religious people see themselves as part of a larger society and aspire to help it,” Mormon Newsroom wrote. “They volunteer in the institutions of civil society such as charities, schools, associations and clubs. They serve the needy in shelters, soup kitchens and hospitals. They study the issues and vote for honest candidates. They speak as eagerly as they listen, critique as well as solve.”

The Church is aware that some members in different countries have different religious regulations they must live by that limit the freedom of conscience. Explaining that a good citizen requires judgement, civility and patience, Mormon newsroom also added, “In the flux of time and deliberation, laws are often reformed to answer the needs of the people. It is important to both obey law and improve law. Such reform should be done through legal means, with moral persuasion for the good of the whole.” 

Mormon Newsroom concludes the second part of their series stating that Mormons hold the responsibility, and the privilege, to make the area of the world they live in a better place.

The first part of the series, “Unity in Diversity,” released two months ago, discussed how living the gospel does not require individuals to give up what makes them unique.