Public service began early in LDS history
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The commitment of members of the Church to public service is found throughout Mormon history, said an LDS senator at a Community Leaders Event here, which was sponsored by Hill Cumorah Pageant officials.
In his speech on July 22, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., noted the Prophet Joseph Smith set a precedent for others by his involvement in civic and political affairs. That involvement "accelerated in 1844, when Joseph Smith declared his candidacy for the president of the United States." The Prophet also called for the abolition of slavery 18 years before the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation and was ahead of his time in calling for prison reform, declared Sen. Reid.The commitment to service was passed on when the saints moved to Utah, the senator pointed out. "Brigham Young set an example of service . . . when he became the first governor of the Utah territory. Reed Smoot, an apostle, was elected to be United States senator from Utah. J. Reuben Clark, who presided over councils of the Church until he reached his 90s, is known in the history books for the Clark Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine prepared when he was Assistant Secretary of State." Clark later served as an ambassador to Mexico in Franklin D. Roosvelt's administration.
Sen. Reid mentioned several other LDS who held public office, either elective or appointive, including President Ezra Taft Benson, who served for two terms as Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"Clearly, the Mormon tradition of civic service has benefited the nation," Sen. Reid observed.
He concluded his 25-minute address by praising the Prophet Joseph Smith's commitment to good government. ". . . Joseph Smith left a legacy that government should be good, that one way to make it better was to be involved in government.
"His legacy of government involvement has been beneficial for the members of the LDS Church, their respective states and this great nation. The diversity of the political involvement is a lasting testimony to this good man," Sen. Reid declared.
