4e We believe that all persons who exercise control over their fellow--beings, and prevent them from embracing the truth, will have to answer for that sin.
DC 112 Intro: SECTION 112
This section, which deals with governments and laws in general, is not a revelation. It was prepared in connection with the publication of the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants and was read by Oliver Cowdery at the general assembly of August 17, 1835. It was adopted unanimously and ordered to be printed in the first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (108A:14). It was also published as the political sentiment of the church by authority of the conference of 1863. This was during the American Civil War.
1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, either in making laws or administering them, for the good and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can exist, in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.
3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same, and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic), or the will of the sovereign.
4a We believe that religion is instituted of God, and that men are amenable to him and to him only for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinion prompts them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others;
4b but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion;
4c that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
5a We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments, and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly;
5b and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest, at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.
6a We believe that every man should be honored in his station: rulers and magistrates as such--being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty;
