With fresh memories of the wickedness of King Noah on his mind, King Mosiah went before the Nephite nation in supplication. Mosiah knew his life was nearing an end, none of his sons would accept the throne and the people were still desiring a king to rule over them.

Thus, with great concern, he sent written word to the people: "Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren, for I esteem you as such, I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to consider — for ye are desirous to have a king." (Mosiah 29:5.)

After explaining that his sons had declined the throne and wishing to avoid contention and civil war, the king called upon the people to use wisdom and reasoning. Mosiah then proposed a new form of government — one where judges appointed by the people would govern by the voice of the people. " . . . Make it your law — to do your business by the voice of the people," King Mosiah urged. (Verse 26.)

But with that freedom — in not following the dictates of one man, righteous or unrighteous — came a grave responsibility: "That if these people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own heads." (Verse 30.)

So it is today in much of the world where Latter-day Saints are part of the citizenry. In fact, there is great significance in that Mormon included this portion of the Nephite records into the book Latter-day Saints have today. "The parallels between the Nephite reign of the judges beginning in Mosiah 29 and the American experience in these latter days are so unmistakable as to suggest persuasively that Mormon included his extensive record covering that brief period as a witness of what happened with the previous experiment with government by the voice of the people on this 'land which is choice above all other lands,' " said Byron R. Merrill, a visiting assistant professor of ancient scripture at BYU during the 1990 Book of Mormon Symposium at BYU. (Please see March 10, 1990, Church News.)

This chapter in the Book of Mormon, Brother Merrill emphasized, "issues a stern warning of the fragility of freedom by the 'voice of the people,' the need for constant vigilance to preserve it, and foreshadows the certain destruction which will follow its iniquitous misuses."

Thus, members of the restored Church have an obligation to make use of their vote and righteous influence for the good of not only their neighborhoods, but also their communities, states and nations. A Jan. 15, 1998, letter from the First Presidency to members counsels: "We urge members of the Church to be full participants in political, governmental, and community affairs. Members of the Church are under special obligations to seek out and then uphold those leaders who are 'wise,' 'good,' and 'honest.' (See Doctrine and Covenants 98:10.)

"Thus, we strongly urge men and women to be willing to serve on school boards, city and county councils and commissions, state legislatures, and other high offices of either election or appointment, including involvement in the political party of their choice.

"While the Church does not endorse political candidates, platforms, or parties, members are counseled to study the candidates carefully and vote for those individuals they believe will act with integrity and in ways conducive to good communities and good government."

As related by President Ezra Taft Benson during the April 1976 general conference, "A citizen of this republic cannot do his duty and be an idle spectator."

President Benson further explained: "Righteousness is an indispensable ingredient to liberty. Virtuous people elect wise and good representatives. Good representatives make good laws and then wisely administer them. This tends to preserve righteousness. An unvirtuous citizenry tend to elect representatives who will pander to their covetous lustings. The burden of self-government is a great responsibility. It calls for restraint, righteousness, re- sponsibility and reliance upon God."

Thus, members of the Church cannot withhold their influence from beyond the walls of their own homes, for as the Lord warns in Doctrine and Covenants 134:1, "[God] holds men accountable for their acts in relation to [governments], both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society."