Loyalty In Spite of Injustice

In D&C 127, Joseph Smith writes an epistle to the Saints telling them that he must leave for a time because of the prosecutions mounting against him. He states, “and inasmuch as they pursue me without a acause, and have not the least shadow or coloring of justice or right on their side in the getting up of their prosecutions against me; and inasmuch as their pretensions are all founded in falsehood of the blackest dye, I have thought it expedient and wisdom in me to leave the place for a short season, for my own safety and the safety of this people.”

One of the things I find remarkable about Joseph Smith is how he bore such unjust persecutions, many of which were feigned under the hand of justice or government, and that the rule of law and justice that supposedly makes this great nation free was tossed aside in cruel bigotry against him. Yet in spite of this tragic and repeated firsthand experience with the state and U.S. government, he retained a deep respect and loyalty to this country and all it stands for.

This is most humbly expressed in his dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple reflecting the Savior’s admonition to pray for your enemies and love those who persecute you and despitefully use you when he says “Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the anations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the bConstitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.” (D&C 109: 54)

Not only does this attest to the character of Joseph Smith, it implores us to respect this nation and her founding principles, and to do all in our power to protect the rights and liberties which we see can be so easily squelched under the hand of wicked men. As it so eloquently states in the declaration of Joseph and Hyrum’s martyrdom:

“…their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to “Mormonism” that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations…” (D&C 135:7)