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The Book of Mormon and the Constitution
First published in 1995; re-published in 2008 by Sunrise Publishing and Distribution.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 12, 2018
I was surprised how foreign this book felt to my traditional approach to the Book of Mormon and politics. I liked it for exactly that reason. Andersen relies on the President Benson approach to politics and religion (and he was apparently a contemporary and close friend). However, because of my youth, I have little experience in that era, and thus minimal exposure to the ideas presented in this book. My critical question of this book is why these ideas seem to have disappeared from LDS discourse. If they are so critical, where are the present-day warnings over the pulpit? How is my generation supposed to know about the dangers without modern-day instruction to highlight them? Certainly we cannot be expected to rely on Andersen for these truths as a church, right? These are genuine questions I had throughout this book as I was evaluating it for eternal truth. The lack of current support for these ideas certainly tainted my reading of them, but I appreciated being exposed to the ideas and concepts anyway as some of it certainly felt right and all of it felt genuine.
February 22, 2018
This author loves and was devoted to the Constitution of the United States and thoroughly understood the warnings of scripture and prophets to protect, uphold, and restore its principles. A bit repetitious from chapter to chapter but a great resource for a newby to those principles. As a veteran scholar of the Constitution, I appreciated its confirmation of its Devine authorship but I found it wanting in substance. Again, a great source for a beginner in the study of this magnanimous organic document and its correlation with God's plan.
July 12, 2017
Excellent book. EVERY member of the LDS church needs to read this book...a definite must read.
November 21, 2010
Update: This book has been out of print for a while, but you can now buy it at Latter-day Light Books for about $17. http://www.latterdaylightbooks.com/Bo...
This book is profound! The Book of Mormon is written for our day and it is full of political information to help us determine what is correct government. Some interesting scriptures to ponder are Helaman 6:38 when the Nephites believe in the Gadianton robbers "works" and "partake of their spoils" and 3 Nephi 3:7-10 when the Nephites are urged to become "partners of all their substance."
This book is extremely clear in presenting what is constitutional and how governments may be used to preserve or destroy freedom. He also shows how Satan uses government to destroy free agency and that his counterfeit to our Constitution & capitalism is Socialism/Communism.
The Constitution places limitations on government power. Rights are a gift from God and not a gift from the government--otherwise they can be taken away. Men are entitled to life, liberty and property and the "Golden Rule" is the universal law of justice.
According to the "Golden Rule" we would not compel a neighbor to pay for our food, shelter, education or doctor (or a car--"Cash for Clunkers" ring a bell?). That wouldn't be fair or lawful, it would be stealing. The same thing done by government isn't lawful or right either-- even if we have a law that says they can do it. It is just legalized plunder.
Today we hear socialists refer to themselves as "Progressives." They become politically popular and seize power and property through "due process of law" and present their programs so that they appear "moral, democratic and peaceful" so that the public will not resist it. Communists use socialists to pave the way for them whenever possible. (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Red Carpet, Socialism, The Royal Road to Communism.)
This book includes quotes from prophets and also an education on what communism/Marxism is. Essentially anything that is socialist is also communist. Warnings are included...showing that the only other time there was a goverment like ours in America was during Book of Mormon times when they had judges and the Gadianton robbers took over the government and destroyed the Nephite nation.
Here are just a few quotes:
“During the first half of the 20th century we have traveled far into the soul destroying land of socialism.” (David O. McKay)
“These revolutionists are using a technique that is as old as the human race, — a fervid but false solicitude for the unfortunate over whom they thus gain mastery, and then enslave them.” (David O. McKay, Statements on Communism and the Constitution of the United States, 1964.)
“Unwise legislation, too often prompted by political expediency, is periodically being enacted that seductively undermines man's right of free agency, robs him of his rightful liberties, and makes him but a cog in the crushing wheel of a regimentation which, if persisted in, will end in dictatorship.” (David O. McKay, April 1950.)
“The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work among men that exists on the face of the earth... The entire concept and philosophy of Communism is diametrically opposed to everything for which the Church stands—belief in Deity, belief in the dignity and eternal nature of man, and the application of the gospel to efforts for peace in the world. Communism is militantly atheistic and is committed to the destruction of faith wherever it may be found.
The Russian Commissar of Education wrote: “We must hate Christians and Christianity. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the revolution. Down with love for one’s neighbor. What we want is hate. Only then shall we conquer the universe.”
On the other hand the gospel teaches the existence of God as our Eternal and Heavenly Father and decares: “… him only shall thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10)
Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state, to which he must look for sustenance and religion. Communism destroys man’s God-given free agency.
No member of this Church can be true to his faith, nor can any American be loyal to his trust, while lending and encouragement, or sympathy to any of these false philosophies: for if he does, they will prove snares to his feet. (April 8, 1966, CR-4/66:109-110), P, P & NS p. 210
-------------------------------------
Here's a great link to an article by Ezra Taft Benson that says some of the same things in the book:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/...
Here is a link if you would like to read "The Proper Role of Government"
by The Honorable Ezra Taft Benson. (It's long)
http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role....
This book is profound! The Book of Mormon is written for our day and it is full of political information to help us determine what is correct government. Some interesting scriptures to ponder are Helaman 6:38 when the Nephites believe in the Gadianton robbers "works" and "partake of their spoils" and 3 Nephi 3:7-10 when the Nephites are urged to become "partners of all their substance."
This book is extremely clear in presenting what is constitutional and how governments may be used to preserve or destroy freedom. He also shows how Satan uses government to destroy free agency and that his counterfeit to our Constitution & capitalism is Socialism/Communism.
The Constitution places limitations on government power. Rights are a gift from God and not a gift from the government--otherwise they can be taken away. Men are entitled to life, liberty and property and the "Golden Rule" is the universal law of justice.
According to the "Golden Rule" we would not compel a neighbor to pay for our food, shelter, education or doctor (or a car--"Cash for Clunkers" ring a bell?). That wouldn't be fair or lawful, it would be stealing. The same thing done by government isn't lawful or right either-- even if we have a law that says they can do it. It is just legalized plunder.
Today we hear socialists refer to themselves as "Progressives." They become politically popular and seize power and property through "due process of law" and present their programs so that they appear "moral, democratic and peaceful" so that the public will not resist it. Communists use socialists to pave the way for them whenever possible. (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Red Carpet, Socialism, The Royal Road to Communism.)
This book includes quotes from prophets and also an education on what communism/Marxism is. Essentially anything that is socialist is also communist. Warnings are included...showing that the only other time there was a goverment like ours in America was during Book of Mormon times when they had judges and the Gadianton robbers took over the government and destroyed the Nephite nation.
Here are just a few quotes:
“During the first half of the 20th century we have traveled far into the soul destroying land of socialism.” (David O. McKay)
“These revolutionists are using a technique that is as old as the human race, — a fervid but false solicitude for the unfortunate over whom they thus gain mastery, and then enslave them.” (David O. McKay, Statements on Communism and the Constitution of the United States, 1964.)
“Unwise legislation, too often prompted by political expediency, is periodically being enacted that seductively undermines man's right of free agency, robs him of his rightful liberties, and makes him but a cog in the crushing wheel of a regimentation which, if persisted in, will end in dictatorship.” (David O. McKay, April 1950.)
“The position of this Church on the subject of Communism has never changed. We consider it the greatest satanical threat to peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work among men that exists on the face of the earth... The entire concept and philosophy of Communism is diametrically opposed to everything for which the Church stands—belief in Deity, belief in the dignity and eternal nature of man, and the application of the gospel to efforts for peace in the world. Communism is militantly atheistic and is committed to the destruction of faith wherever it may be found.
The Russian Commissar of Education wrote: “We must hate Christians and Christianity. Even the best of them must be considered our worst enemies. Christian love is an obstacle to the development of the revolution. Down with love for one’s neighbor. What we want is hate. Only then shall we conquer the universe.”
On the other hand the gospel teaches the existence of God as our Eternal and Heavenly Father and decares: “… him only shall thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10)
Communism debases the individual and makes him the enslaved tool of the state, to which he must look for sustenance and religion. Communism destroys man’s God-given free agency.
No member of this Church can be true to his faith, nor can any American be loyal to his trust, while lending and encouragement, or sympathy to any of these false philosophies: for if he does, they will prove snares to his feet. (April 8, 1966, CR-4/66:109-110), P, P & NS p. 210
-------------------------------------
Here's a great link to an article by Ezra Taft Benson that says some of the same things in the book:
http://www.latterdayconservative.com/...
Here is a link if you would like to read "The Proper Role of Government"
by The Honorable Ezra Taft Benson. (It's long)
http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role....
January 4, 2015
Interesting parallels of events in the Book of Mormon and events of today. Or at least warnings from the Book of Mormon that are largely being ignored today. Anderson makes the case why communism and its close sister socialism are wrong and great dangers. He cites examples from the B of M of why certain civilizations failed or why certain leaders were corrupt. They espouse some form of socialism, tyranny, and/or political/economic bondage. Unfortunately, our society is mirroring the civilizations of old because we have accepted many of these evils. Anderson also asserts that even so-called good members of the Church are blinded by the craftiness of men and fail to recognize these perils.
A good reference and companion to LDS readers who love the Constitution and the Founders and understand that that document was meant to be interpreted as They did so.....not what some bureaucrat wants it to say. Or what so many have misinterpreted it to mean. We are so far from where we started. There's some interesting topics in this book like education, welfare, licensing, and regulation. Any freedom-loving American would affirm the notions expressed here and cry foul to what our Republic has adopted and evolved into over the years. It's sad that the average citizen would simply be appalled by many of Anderson's arguments, yet what he says rings true. And any member of the Church would be wise to heed this counsel and reflect on his/her political philosophies.
A good reference and companion to LDS readers who love the Constitution and the Founders and understand that that document was meant to be interpreted as They did so.....not what some bureaucrat wants it to say. Or what so many have misinterpreted it to mean. We are so far from where we started. There's some interesting topics in this book like education, welfare, licensing, and regulation. Any freedom-loving American would affirm the notions expressed here and cry foul to what our Republic has adopted and evolved into over the years. It's sad that the average citizen would simply be appalled by many of Anderson's arguments, yet what he says rings true. And any member of the Church would be wise to heed this counsel and reflect on his/her political philosophies.
May 18, 2009
A quick and fascinating read and view of politics in America; although I'm not a fan of the author's writing style. While I agree with many, even most, of his points, they are not presented and argued as well as I think they could be - if perhaps a Neal A. Maxwell or Dallin H. Oaks were to present them. He uses President Ezra Taft Benson as justification for much of the book; and he does use legitimate quotes and documentation on many occasions, but it comes across to me as more hearsay rather than substantiated too often.
The book was originally started by the father H. Verlan Anderson, and after his passing, is compiled and presented by the son, Hans V. Anderson. So I'm assuming this has much to do with the incomplete, choppy, amateur and even hasty/disconnect, at times, feel of the book.
In spite of my less-than-desirable views of this book, I highly recommend it for anyone with a passion for politics in America, freedom, and the Constitution. A very easy political read that will leave you both outraged and informed.
I read this a few years ago, but it still influences my reading of and really "opens up" the Book of Mormon and some of its purpose and meaning!
The book was originally started by the father H. Verlan Anderson, and after his passing, is compiled and presented by the son, Hans V. Anderson. So I'm assuming this has much to do with the incomplete, choppy, amateur and even hasty/disconnect, at times, feel of the book.
In spite of my less-than-desirable views of this book, I highly recommend it for anyone with a passion for politics in America, freedom, and the Constitution. A very easy political read that will leave you both outraged and informed.
I read this a few years ago, but it still influences my reading of and really "opens up" the Book of Mormon and some of its purpose and meaning!
January 27, 2009
This is a great book!!
The book explores the parallels of the Nephite's government of self-rule to the United States' experience of self-rule. He points out what caused the Nephite nation to be destroyed (secret combinations infiltrating government, loss of individual rights, priestcraft,...) and then identifies those same stumbling blocks in our society, and how they are growing. Its a strong wake up call to return back to the principles of the Constitution as originally intended by the Founders.
The book explores the parallels of the Nephite's government of self-rule to the United States' experience of self-rule. He points out what caused the Nephite nation to be destroyed (secret combinations infiltrating government, loss of individual rights, priestcraft,...) and then identifies those same stumbling blocks in our society, and how they are growing. Its a strong wake up call to return back to the principles of the Constitution as originally intended by the Founders.
November 26, 2008
I just started reading this book for history and so far it's amazing! It has great points, it makes you think, and it just speaks the truth! I love it. Well I finished reading it for history and although I didn't read it all, I still whole heartedly agree with what I already wrote. It's amazing and you learn so much more of this government and the constitution of America.
May 6, 2009
This book is an amazing, thought-provoking look at how the Constitution was written to protect our freedoms, and those who seek to take away our freedoms are acting like the Gadianton Robbers of old. This book is a must read for any Latter-day Saint ... or any God-fearing person, for that matter.
September 30, 2010
I really liked "Many are called but few are chosen" by the same author - however, I couldn't get past more than a few pages of this book. I think books are written biased by the author's own paradigm and opinions. This held true, for me, with this book. Ah-well.
April 11, 2012
How do you tell if a law is constitutional using the golden rule? A very informative book about the true purpose of goverment and the nature of liberty and agency, rights and duties.
March 13, 2008
An excellent book with a clear explanation of the two .
September 25, 2011
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING! I've only just begun, but I am loving it. I totally get into this topic.
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February 13, 2019Adding to my collection of BOM works for my own BOM work
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews