Education,  Principles of Ethical Government

Principles of Ethical Government: Peaceful Protest & Civil Disobedience

October 30, 2021 /

Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (3)(f) states:

3(f) All people have a duty to obey the law (see D&C 134:6 and Article of Faith 12). This duty does not, however, preclude the possibility of peaceful protest against and civil disobedience to unjust laws (see Exodus 1:15-17).

We believe in “obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” The rule of law requires all people — elected officials included — to abide by the laws of the land. As D&C 134 makes clear, those laws are established to protect our “inherent and inalienable rights” (v. 5) and should operate “for the good and safety of society” (v. 1).

We understand, however, that human laws are at times unjust and can be used to actively perpetuate injustice or deny some of God’s children the ability to enjoy their inherent rights (D&C 98:5). In the United States, citizens have an ethical and moral obligation to exercise the rights of free speech and freedom of assembly granted to them under the Constitution in order to work for reform. This is particularly the case when unjust laws undermine democracy, result in disenfranchising people (see PEG 2a), place unfair burdens upon certain segments of the population (see PEG 2), or ignore due process (see PEG 2c). 

Peaceful persistence and protest have been utilized throughout the course of America’s history as political agents have acted to effect change and to highlight the injustices in the system. Civil disobedience is one form of peaceful protest and refers to actions undertaken in a peaceful manner that defy the existing law in pursuit of a more just solution. In many cases, civil disobedience is used to peacefully highlight the contradictions and injustices in place under a current law.

This document outlines methods, resources, and thought questions to help us all accomplish two important goals: To enhance our commitment to the rule of law, due process, and justice for all. And to understand how peaceful protest, including civil disobedience, can be used as a mechanism to increase morality, ethics, and democratic legitimacy in government.

Read the full document by clicking on the image below, or download it here.