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Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability
Liberty is a fundamental and eternal principle, but it cannot exist without its counterpart—personal responsibility. Latter-day Responsibility describes in detail the many responsibilities we each must perform if we truly wish to defend individual liberty in these latter days. From self-defense and self-reliance, to faith, family, and financial freedom, Latter-day Responsibility pinpoints precise actions needed from each of us if liberty is to successfully be preserved.
A book written specifically for our time, Latter-day Responsibility is a compelling and detailed analysis of what the gospel of Jesus Christ requires us each to do to advance the cause of liberty. It is a necessary addition to any library.
A book written specifically for our time, Latter-day Responsibility is a compelling and detailed analysis of what the gospel of Jesus Christ requires us each to do to advance the cause of liberty. It is a necessary addition to any library.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2012
4 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Connor Boyack
93 books254 followersConnor Boyack is founder and president of Libertas Institute, a libertarian think tank in Utah. In that capacity, he has spearheaded important policy reforms dealing with property rights, civil liberties, transparency, surveillance, and education freedom.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
Connor is the author of several books, including the new Tuttle Twins series that teaches the principles of liberty to young children. Other books include Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and its companion, Latter-day Responsibility: Choosing Liberty through Personal Accountability.
Connor's work has been publicly praised by former Representative Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and other nationally recognized figures. He is a frequent commentator on current events and has appeared in local, national, and international interviews to publicize and comment on his work.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2012
I highly recommend this book to people of all religions and political persuasions. Although it is written with a perspective of a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon) and a self-professed libertarian, the principles in this book are applicable to all walks of life. The author, Connor Boyack, brings a much needed discussion to the table about the importance of becoming self-reliant and gives good advice on how to become so.
Boyack proposes that in order to reduce the cost of government programs and the size of government we must first put ourselves in a position where we do not rely upon government for our necessities. Even liberals who widely support government programs understand that if there is too much pressure on the program it can harm the program, and that the end goal of such programs should be to enable people to stand on their own two feet. I would add that this would even relieve the burden that private charities must bear as they try to fill needs that are not filled elsewhere.
Self-reliance is a message that can resonate with everyone. This book puts it very simply and describes steps that are easy for anyone to follow in order to obtain self-reliance in many aspects of their lives at their own pace.
This book can be an amazing and inspiring tool. If everyone were to follow the advice therein, our nation would quickly be led into a state of increased liberty and prosperity.
Boyack proposes that in order to reduce the cost of government programs and the size of government we must first put ourselves in a position where we do not rely upon government for our necessities. Even liberals who widely support government programs understand that if there is too much pressure on the program it can harm the program, and that the end goal of such programs should be to enable people to stand on their own two feet. I would add that this would even relieve the burden that private charities must bear as they try to fill needs that are not filled elsewhere.
Self-reliance is a message that can resonate with everyone. This book puts it very simply and describes steps that are easy for anyone to follow in order to obtain self-reliance in many aspects of their lives at their own pace.
This book can be an amazing and inspiring tool. If everyone were to follow the advice therein, our nation would quickly be led into a state of increased liberty and prosperity.
October 18, 2012
This book is truly a practical guide to individual liberty. As important as the upcoming presidential election is, what is more important is our individual efforts to understand and promote liberty. Boyack explains how individual liberty is being attacked and hedged in several specific ways and gives practical advice on how to counter those attacks by stressing the importance of the individual's efforts to live a liberty-minded life. Great read and very timely!
October 31, 2012
Where Latter-day Responsibility stands out is in the honesty with which it addresses the question of liberty and all that liberty necessarily requires. This is the natural corollary to Boyack's first book, Latter-day Liberty and very effectively teaches how personal responsibility is essential in order to enjoy and preserve individual freedoms.
One might think a book on responsibility might leave the reader feeling guilty or that they fall short and that it might be a heavy read. To the contrary, Boyack’s book is enlightening, motivating and entirely relevant to the societal environment in which we find ourselves today.
His chapter on self-defense is a great case in point. I've always thought of myself as a provider and protector in my home and family, but not really given a significant amount of thought to the protector role. Reading this chapter, however, has profoundly changed my perspective and leaves me realizing how much more of a personal responsibility I have to be prepared to defend myself and my family should the need ever arise and what a mistake it is to think that publicly provided services could ever suffice. I look forward to personally improving in this area!
In his characteristic way, Boyack employs sound logic throughout, is easy to read and shares well-researched, insightful quotes and commentary.
Perhaps my greatest takeaway was that a moral and responsible people should demand to be granted life in a free society. Implicit in his writing is a charge for all to more fully take ownership of life and to live such that we can enjoy a life of liberty and engage in those activities that will make that possible.
From what I know of the author, he doesn't write hypocritically. He genuinely strives to practice what he preaches. Most certainly, this adds to his perspective and makes his writing all the more authoritative and insightful.
This book is not just for Latter-day Saints. Any lover of liberty — any moral and responsible human being (or all of us striving to be such) — should read this book. Any thoughtful reader, I believe, would consider it money and time well spent.
One might think a book on responsibility might leave the reader feeling guilty or that they fall short and that it might be a heavy read. To the contrary, Boyack’s book is enlightening, motivating and entirely relevant to the societal environment in which we find ourselves today.
His chapter on self-defense is a great case in point. I've always thought of myself as a provider and protector in my home and family, but not really given a significant amount of thought to the protector role. Reading this chapter, however, has profoundly changed my perspective and leaves me realizing how much more of a personal responsibility I have to be prepared to defend myself and my family should the need ever arise and what a mistake it is to think that publicly provided services could ever suffice. I look forward to personally improving in this area!
In his characteristic way, Boyack employs sound logic throughout, is easy to read and shares well-researched, insightful quotes and commentary.
Perhaps my greatest takeaway was that a moral and responsible people should demand to be granted life in a free society. Implicit in his writing is a charge for all to more fully take ownership of life and to live such that we can enjoy a life of liberty and engage in those activities that will make that possible.
From what I know of the author, he doesn't write hypocritically. He genuinely strives to practice what he preaches. Most certainly, this adds to his perspective and makes his writing all the more authoritative and insightful.
This book is not just for Latter-day Saints. Any lover of liberty — any moral and responsible human being (or all of us striving to be such) — should read this book. Any thoughtful reader, I believe, would consider it money and time well spent.
September 13, 2012
Connor Boyack has taken the message of his book Latter-Day Liberty to the next level to answer the question- and now what? Now that we are understanding the importance of liberty and how it relates to our faith and the teachings of our prophets, what do we do with it?
With freedom comes responsibility. We can't have freedom and be free of responsibility. We can sign our lives over to other people or the gov't to avoid responsibility but then we are not free. So, for those who truly choose liberty we must learn to be responsible for our choices and set the example to others to show what it looks like. This book gives great insight into how to achieve liberty through responsibility in finances, ability to feed yourself and family, defending your life and property and in other areas. It offers practical, real world ways for us to accept the responsibility that comes with the gift of liberty.
The only section that didn't totally resonate with me was the one about self defense- not because I have a problem with the principle- just because I felt he could have broadened his thoughts on possible ways Latter-Day Saints could live it. I felt he was a little too narrow and focused on owning firearms as the only option for a responsible Latter-Day Saint. I feel there is more depth to this topic and instead of opening our minds to exploring it in ways that might apply to us individually he seems to provide the answer as one that applies to everyone.
I think this book is a MUST READ for all Latter-Day Saints who understand the concept of liberty and want to know how to give it full expression in their lives. It is a sacred gift we've been given and we should be grateful for it and do all in our power to protect it- as with all the gifts we have from God.
With freedom comes responsibility. We can't have freedom and be free of responsibility. We can sign our lives over to other people or the gov't to avoid responsibility but then we are not free. So, for those who truly choose liberty we must learn to be responsible for our choices and set the example to others to show what it looks like. This book gives great insight into how to achieve liberty through responsibility in finances, ability to feed yourself and family, defending your life and property and in other areas. It offers practical, real world ways for us to accept the responsibility that comes with the gift of liberty.
The only section that didn't totally resonate with me was the one about self defense- not because I have a problem with the principle- just because I felt he could have broadened his thoughts on possible ways Latter-Day Saints could live it. I felt he was a little too narrow and focused on owning firearms as the only option for a responsible Latter-Day Saint. I feel there is more depth to this topic and instead of opening our minds to exploring it in ways that might apply to us individually he seems to provide the answer as one that applies to everyone.
I think this book is a MUST READ for all Latter-Day Saints who understand the concept of liberty and want to know how to give it full expression in their lives. It is a sacred gift we've been given and we should be grateful for it and do all in our power to protect it- as with all the gifts we have from God.
September 4, 2013
This book was profoundly powerful. I really enjoyed Latter-day Liberty: A Gospel Approach to Government and Politics and so I looked forward to a second book by the same author. I didn't think that he could outdo his first, but I was wrong. I like this book even better.
The reason this book is so powerful is because it is a message that no one seems to be sharing. There are many out there who advocate liberty. I agree with their message. However, how many are advocating the other side of the same coin? Personal responsibility is so necessary for liberty to flourish. As the book says, "Liberty is the prize; responsibility is the price." Many people are not even aware of this essential relationship and therein lies the problem.
This book shows the how liberty and personal responsibility are eternally tethered to one another. It also illustrates how "people love to be free, but they don't always love to be responsible, because freedom is easy and light and everybody wants it, and responsibility is dark and heavy and sounds like grown-ups." One small example: In regards to charity and welfare, so many are advocating for a smaller welfare state and lower taxes, but this book also advocates for the personal responsibility to care for others.
There is no way that I can properly convey the message this book shares, but I'll just share a few quotes to help give you an idea.
Charity and Welfare
"I could not undertake to lay [my] finger on that article in the Federal Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents ... Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government." - James Madison, p. 117
"If man will not recognize inequality around him and voluntarily, through the gospel plan, come to the aid of his brother, ... he will find that through 'a democratic process' he will be forced to come to the aid of his brother. The government will take from the 'haves' and give to the 'have nots.' Both have lost their freedom. Those who 'have', lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. Those who 'have not' lost their freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got something for nothing, and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the gift." - Howard W. Hunter p. 118
"[T]he failure to take care of one's self and one's neighbors produces, in the aggregate, an environment in which those in need look for whatever ways they can to obtain what they need. The unwillingness to freely give of such resources results in a scenario where those resources are forcibly taken from us." p. 85
"Building Zion, however, is predicated on a few core activities, one of which is the free offering of the resources over which we have been made stewards to benefit those around us who currently stand in need." p. 97
"we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness--be they family member, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent on each of us." - Thomas S. Monson p. 99
Education
"One who knows not what his rights are can never know when they are taken and is unable to defend them." - Elder H. Verlan Andersen p. 136
Civic Duty
"The price of freedom has been too high, and the consequences of non-participation are too great for any citizen to feel that they can ignore their responsibility." - Elder Quentin L. Cook p. 161
"We are involved in an intense battle. It is a battle between right and wrong, between truth and error, between the design of the Almighty on the one hand and that of Lucifer on the other. For that reason, we desperately need moral men and women who stand on principle, to be involved in the political process. Otherwise, we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish." - President Gordon B. Hinckley p. 163
"The suggestion that Latter-day Saints will play an important part in restoring the principles embodied in the Constitution implies that we must first understand what they are, and be adequately prepared to play our part in their preservation." p.164
Family
"Society without basic family life is without foundation and will disintegrate into nothingness." - President Spencer W. Kimball p. 207
"Strong marriages result in responsible families, and responsible families help produce a healthy society in which people voluntarily and lovingly look after one another. The fight for individual liberty often takes place in the halls of government, but if the fight only occurs there, it will be lost." p. 225
"Societies at large are strengthened as families grow stronger. ... And when families work and play together, neighborhoods and communities flourish, economies improve, and less government and fewer costly safety nets are required." - Elder M. Russell Ballard p. 226
Morality
"Men are qualified for civil liberty, in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their appetites .... Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." - Edmund Burke p. 247
You should read this book. Learn to be personally responsible and self-reliant, because, "Personal responsibility is the price of liberty. But there's one secret we need to remember: personal responsibility is the prize as well."
The reason this book is so powerful is because it is a message that no one seems to be sharing. There are many out there who advocate liberty. I agree with their message. However, how many are advocating the other side of the same coin? Personal responsibility is so necessary for liberty to flourish. As the book says, "Liberty is the prize; responsibility is the price." Many people are not even aware of this essential relationship and therein lies the problem.
This book shows the how liberty and personal responsibility are eternally tethered to one another. It also illustrates how "people love to be free, but they don't always love to be responsible, because freedom is easy and light and everybody wants it, and responsibility is dark and heavy and sounds like grown-ups." One small example: In regards to charity and welfare, so many are advocating for a smaller welfare state and lower taxes, but this book also advocates for the personal responsibility to care for others.
There is no way that I can properly convey the message this book shares, but I'll just share a few quotes to help give you an idea.
Charity and Welfare
"I could not undertake to lay [my] finger on that article in the Federal Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents ... Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government." - James Madison, p. 117
"If man will not recognize inequality around him and voluntarily, through the gospel plan, come to the aid of his brother, ... he will find that through 'a democratic process' he will be forced to come to the aid of his brother. The government will take from the 'haves' and give to the 'have nots.' Both have lost their freedom. Those who 'have', lost their freedom to give voluntarily of their own free will and in the way they desire. Those who 'have not' lost their freedom because they did not earn what they received. They got something for nothing, and they will neither appreciate the gift nor the giver of the gift." - Howard W. Hunter p. 118
"[T]he failure to take care of one's self and one's neighbors produces, in the aggregate, an environment in which those in need look for whatever ways they can to obtain what they need. The unwillingness to freely give of such resources results in a scenario where those resources are forcibly taken from us." p. 85
"Building Zion, however, is predicated on a few core activities, one of which is the free offering of the resources over which we have been made stewards to benefit those around us who currently stand in need." p. 97
"we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness--be they family member, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent on each of us." - Thomas S. Monson p. 99
Education
"One who knows not what his rights are can never know when they are taken and is unable to defend them." - Elder H. Verlan Andersen p. 136
Civic Duty
"The price of freedom has been too high, and the consequences of non-participation are too great for any citizen to feel that they can ignore their responsibility." - Elder Quentin L. Cook p. 161
"We are involved in an intense battle. It is a battle between right and wrong, between truth and error, between the design of the Almighty on the one hand and that of Lucifer on the other. For that reason, we desperately need moral men and women who stand on principle, to be involved in the political process. Otherwise, we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish." - President Gordon B. Hinckley p. 163
"The suggestion that Latter-day Saints will play an important part in restoring the principles embodied in the Constitution implies that we must first understand what they are, and be adequately prepared to play our part in their preservation." p.164
Family
"Society without basic family life is without foundation and will disintegrate into nothingness." - President Spencer W. Kimball p. 207
"Strong marriages result in responsible families, and responsible families help produce a healthy society in which people voluntarily and lovingly look after one another. The fight for individual liberty often takes place in the halls of government, but if the fight only occurs there, it will be lost." p. 225
"Societies at large are strengthened as families grow stronger. ... And when families work and play together, neighborhoods and communities flourish, economies improve, and less government and fewer costly safety nets are required." - Elder M. Russell Ballard p. 226
Morality
"Men are qualified for civil liberty, in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their appetites .... Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." - Edmund Burke p. 247
You should read this book. Learn to be personally responsible and self-reliant, because, "Personal responsibility is the price of liberty. But there's one secret we need to remember: personal responsibility is the prize as well."
December 31, 2023
This book prompted bursts of inspiration on how I can improve in my personal citizenship. I love the practical suggestions Boyack provides at the end of each chapter. I don't agree fully on all points (I am not a libertarian) but would recommend this as a helpful manual for civic involvement for Christians and Latter-day Saints in particular.
September 2, 2016
This book makes me want to take control of my own life. Connor Boyack inspires his readers to want to be better, kinder, more charitable, and responsible for their own lives and the lives of others through voluntary action instead of looking to others to do it for them. Due to the title of the book I'm afraid most who SHOULD read it probably won't. It will definitely remind and inspire those who already appreciate self-reliance, freedom, and doing good for others. If nothing else you can gather valuable tips on how to be more responsible and gain control of your life through entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts. It's one of those books you'll want to read more than once.
August 6, 2013
Really important companion volume to Latter-Day Liberty; this book does an excellent job of examining the interdependence between liberty and responsibility, and why we as Saints should care. Upshot--if we aren't responsible, we are unlikely to be able to maintain freedom. Do we want our freedom back? We have to be willing to shoulder the responsibility. Not always an easy read, but a critically important one.
July 19, 2013
Great book! Great information. Had a hard time putting it aside during my vacation. This book outlines everything one needs to be responsible for provident living and creating a smaller government through being responsible. If everyone were responsible with their stewardship there would be no welfare and big government. I will be reading Latter-day Liberty next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews