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Principles of Ethical Government: Peaceful Protest & Civil Disobedience
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 âobeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.â The rule of law requires all people â elected officials included â to abide by the laws of the land. As D&C 134 makes clear, those laws are established to protect our âinherent and inalienable rightsâ (v. 5) and should operate âfor the good and safety of societyâ (v. 1). We…
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Principles of Ethical Government: Reform Unjust Laws
Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (3)(g) states: 3(g) When laws are unjust â especially when they violate the human and civil rights of vulnerable or marginalized groups â all citizens have an obligation to work toward reformation of those laws, whether or not they are directly harmed by those unjust laws (see Alma 30:7). We desire to work toward a more peaceful, just, and ethical world, one grounded firmly in a vision of Zion and a hope in Christ and His redemptive power. Zion will only be achieved when its people are of âone heart and one mind, . . . [with] no poor among themâ…
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Principles of Ethical Government: Minority Rights
Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (2)(b) states: (b) Special care should be taken to protect the rights of the minority from undue infringement by the majority (see Exodus 23:2 and Proverbs 31:8-9). Every human is a child of Heavenly Parents and must be treated with respect and love. There are religious and ethical foundations for ensuring that minority rights are safeguarded and that theagency, growth, and potential of all of Godâs children are consequently protected. Resisting oppression lifts all members of society. Because living in and perpetuating structures that oppress minorities harms souls, safeguarding the rights of minorities enables the growth and potential of all of…
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Principles of Ethical Government: Maximize Participation and Equitable Access
Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (2)(a) states: (a) Political structures and electoral systems should be designed to maximize participation of and provide equitable access to all citizens in a society (see Mosiah 29:32). The Book of Mormon instructs us to âdo your business by the voice of the peopleâ (Mosiah 29:26). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also works this principle into its governance, stating that âall things shall be done by common consent in the churchâ (D&C 26:2). America, the worldâs oldest democratic republic, was likewise founded on this very principle. As citizens of such a democratic republic, we hold fast to our…
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H.R.1 â the “For the People” Act
H.R.1, the For the People Act, is a democracy reform bill that was introduced and passed in the House of Representatives in 2019. It passed 234-193, with one Republican representative voting for it. The bill was never brought to debate nor vote by the Senate majority leader, causing it to fail by default in the Senate. On January 4, 2021, the bill was reintroduced to the House. Even though many of these reforms are bipartisan by nature and have significant public support, current political polarization will make it challenging to garner widespread bipartisan support in Congress. H.R.1 is an expansive bill that champions improved access to voting for all citizens,…
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Principles of Ethical Government: Combating Corruption
Mormon Women for Ethical Government’s Principles of Ethical Government (1)(a), (1)(b), and (1)(c) state: (a) People in positions of power should not lightly violate or discard long-standing political norms, especially norms that serve to limit the abuse of power (see D&C 121:39). (b) Government officials and institutions should be honest and transparent, insofar as possible without harming national security and individual rights (see D&C 123:13; Alma 37:25). (c) Elected and appointed officials and government employees alike must eschew conflicts of interest and avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest in fidelity to the public trust. Appointees to specialized government roles should be well-qualified to serve in those roles (see…