Official Statement on the January 6 Anniversary

One year ago, on January 6, 2021, America watched in horror as a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to disrupt Congress and claim the presidency by unlawful means. While the insurrectionists did not succeed in their aim, they nonetheless stole something as important as an election — our national confidence in the peaceful transfer of power, and our faith in our fellow citizens. 

This year we have lived with a fractured and fragile peace. Before January 6, our electoral processes were a hopeful manifestation of positive peace — constructive and generative engagement with the opposition. As a nation, we had attitudes, systems, and institutions that promoted a peaceful transfer of power. While respecting the will of the majority, we could be confident that the minority would remain committed to democratic ideals, working to persuade voters in future contests. We did not fear that votes fairly cast would be met with attempts to seize power by force.

Though the January 6 violence was contained, and legitimate election results were upheld, we were left with a negative peace — the temporary absence of violence. Our political environment is now characterized almost wholly by pessimism and deep insecurity, while our civil society is increasingly marred by threats of uncontrolled conflict. We have exchanged our national birthright for a mess of pottage. 

Most concerningly, leaders responsible for destroying our peace have continued to spread lies about the legitimacy of the 2020 election, offering those lies as the justification for efforts to further undermine our electoral systems and abandon a commitment to democracy. Some in the minority are actively working to legitimize violence as a means to secure presidential power. Others seek to enshrine minority rule through insidious mechanisms that use technocratic methods to subvert the foundational democratic principle of “one person, one vote.”

Something significant has been stolen from us, but it remains within our power as citizens to come together and restore it. As peacemakers, the members of Mormon Women for Ethical Government are committed to being repairers of the breach, reconstructing the relationships, systems, and laws that underpin our remarkable democracy. We are working to support the rule of law and to help citizens base their political decisions on truth and love of neighbor. 

The work of restoration requires that those who value a peaceful and democratic society speak out boldly. We must demand that leaders of both parties act to protect democracy and support the critical work of the January 6 commission. We are grateful for leaders like Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger, who have courageously modeled this commitment. Regardless of our personal political leanings or policy preferences, we must all model true loyalty to the Constitution and adherence to the rule of law. 

The violence and political rancor of the last year have been fueled by repeated lies and false claims of conspiracy. Most insidious of all is the notion that there is no objective truth, no fact that supersedes opinion. This is the biggest lie of all, and we must vigorously resist it. We each must take responsibility for seeking reliable sources of information, grounding our opinions in fact, and basing our political actions in truth. Without truth, there cannot be peace.

Finally, peace cannot exist in an environment of hate. We encourage each citizen who values the positive peace that once characterized our national politics to foster an environment where love of neighbor is as prevalent as truth and the rule of law. As Abraham Lincoln said in another period of great national pain, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” 

We must redouble our commitment to the principles that make America flourish — chief among them the right to self-government and the rule of law. January 6, 2021, marked a dark day of hatred and violence, but it is up to us to determine whether its effects will be lasting or temporary. There remains the hopeful possibility of a lasting and true peace, if we will work together to claim it.