Date: 4 July 1843
Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal
The Words of Joseph Smith: Page 228
Why I picked this quote?
This quote seemed applicable given the 2016 presidential election is two weeks away. Neither Joseph Smith nor the prophets today of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have desire to prescribe who members of the Church should vote for. Though they have talked frequently over the years about the gospel principles that form a basis for choosing political candidates. In fact, Thomas S. Monson and the rest of the First Presidency of the Church recently sent a letter to members encouraging them to support candidates who best embody principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Said they, “Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties, and members should seek candidates who best embody those principles.” (See First Presidency 2016 Letter Encouraging Political Participation, Voting in US)
While the Church leaders past and present do not dictate who members should vote for, they have provided us with the correct principles upon which we should make our decisions. How we apply those principles, though, it up to us and accountability for those decisions is between each of us and the Lord.
