Establishment of a Free Land

The Restoration did not begin with Joseph Smith's first vision. That paramount event could not have happened if the way had not been prepared. Jesus Christ taught that it was "wisdom in the Father that [the Gentiles] should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth." (3 Ne. 21:4.) The Renaissance and the establishment of the United States of America with its guarantees of freedom were essential precursors. As such they were a part of the restoration.⁽¹⁾

Led by the Lord to a New Land

Looking at the history recorded in the book of Omni, we see a marked concentration of parallels to the birth of our nation. The record states that king Mosiah took "as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord," departed out of the land of Nephi, and was led by the Lord to the land of Zarahemla. (Omni 1:12,13.) This resembles the way Columbus was moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord,⁽²⁾ sailed to America, and inaugurated a flow of people seeking religious freedom in this new land of opportunity. (1 Ne. 13:12,13.)

Interestingly, the parallel between the destiny of the city or land of Zarahemla and that of the United States of America generally holds true not only in this instance, but throughout the remaining Nephite history.

When they journeyed to Zarahemla, king Mosiah's people carried with them the plates of brass "which contained a record of the Jews." (Omni 1:14.) This reflects the way the early colonizers of America carried the Bible with them from the Old World. (1 Ne. 13:20,23.) Both groups of settlers were also religiously inclined--being "admonished continually by the word of God...." (Omni 1:13.)

Upon arriving in Zarahemla, king Mosiah's people discovered previous inhabitants who had experience "many wars and serious contentions..., had fallen by the sword from time to time," and "had dwindled in unbelief." (Omni 1:17-19; 1 Ne. 12:21,22.) This description also matches the American Indians at the time the Pilgrims arrived.

Then "in the days of king Benjamin, a serious war [broke out] between the Nephites and the Lamanites...." (Omni 1:24.) In our Revolutionary war, we also had to wrench our independence from those who supposed the right to govern belonged to them. (2 Ne. 5:3.) Both assaults, modern and ancient, came from a motherland and were successfully repelled because the power of God was with those fighting for their independence. (W Mm 1:13,14; compare 1 Ne. 13:17,18,19.)⁽³⁾

Renaissance

During the reign of king Benjamin, another paramount event took place. Through his instrumentality, the people of Nephi experienced a "mighty change of heart." (Mosiah 5:2.) They became desirous to follow God's every word. (5:5.) This transformation signaled an exodus from the relative period of darkness through which they had recently passed.

The latter-day Renaissance produced this same sort of transition. The world, once shrouded in the darkness of ignorance, was illuminated by the light of truth as the Spirit of the Lord began to be poured out upon all men. (Joel 2:28.) Many people's hearts were turned to God, and a generation primed to receive the restored gospel was prepared. As the changed Nephites had "great views of that which [was to] come" (Mosiah 5:3),⁽⁴⁾ so did many latter-day Reformers look forward with great anticipation to the promised "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21).⁽⁵⁾

Establishment of the Constitution

We now come to one of the most important comparisons for our time: the abundant similarities between the Constitution of the United States and the laws set up by king Mosiah. These similarities provide another witness that the Constitution is based on eternal principles. They also provide us with an important warning as we consider what happened to the Nephites when they began to alter and trample these laws under their feet.⁽⁶⁾

Comparing what the Book of Mormon says about the laws of Mosiah and what the Doctrine and Covenants says about the Constitution reveals profound likenesses between the two. First and foremost, both were given of God through the instrumentality of wise men. (Hel. 4:22; Mosiah 29:25; compare D&C 101:77,80.)⁽⁷⁾ Second, both were based not on evolving but on eternal, unchanging laws or principles, such as the fact that all men are created equal. (Mosiah 29:25,32; compare D&C 101:77.) Third, each was given to protect the inalienable rights of every man, that they might be free. (Mosiah 29:32; compare D&C 101:77; 98:5; 134:5.) Fourth, both were designed to safeguard the moral agency of man, that each individual might be accountable for his own sins and not place responsibility on anyone else for his iniquity. (Mosiah 29:30,31; compare D&C 101:78.) Fifth, each governmental system was based on the law being supreme, not a ruling few or even the majority. The representatives were chosen by the voice of the people, but those leaders were to rule according to the law. This is a republican form of government--not strictly democratic. (Mosiah 29:25,26,39; Alma 4:16; Hel. 5:3; compare D&C 98:6; 101:77; 134:3.) Fifth, in both instances the people were admonished to choose honest and wise men to be their leaders. (Mosiah 23:14; compare D&C 98:10; 134:3.)

Besides correlating with principles set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants, the laws of Mosiah also reflect the five major provisions of the Constitution as set forth by President Ezra Taft Benson.⁽⁸⁾

The first provision is that sovereignty lies in the people themselves; the powers that the government holds are derived from the consent of the governed. Similarly, under the reign of the judges--the system Mosiah set up--the people did "appoint judges, to judge them according to [their] law." (Mosiah 29:39.)

Dividing the powers of government between separate branches (the legislative, the executive, and the judicial) whereby each might be checked and balanced is the second provision of the Constitution. The system set up by Mosiah also called for the separation of powers with a check on each. There were higher and lower judges. The lower judges were to keep the higher judges under proper restraint, and vice versa. (Mosiah 29:28,29.)

The third provision is that the powers of any single branch of government should be specifically limited. This was designed to control man's tendency to exercise unrighteous dominion when given authority. (D&C 121:39)⁽⁹⁾ Mosiah also suggested that this was why he restructured the Nephite government. He said, "...Because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you." (Mosiah 29:16.)

The principle of representation, in which an official is elected by the people to represent them, is the fourth provision of the Constitution. Similarly, under the reign of the judges, the judges were chosen by the voice of the people. (Mosiah 29:11; compare D&C 134:3.)

The fifth provision is that the Constitution is designed to work only with "a moral and religious people."⁽¹⁰⁾ "It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other," declared the first vice president, John Adams.⁽¹¹⁾ Mormon commented that an iniquitous people "[can] not be governed by the law nor justice, save it [be] to their destruction." (Hel. 5:3.) Anciently, Mosiah set forth this stipulation in the government established. He cautioned his people, "If the time comes that the voice of the people doth chose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land." (Mosiah 29:27.) Moroni extended this warning to us: "And this [record] cometh unto you, O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God--that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fullness come, that ye may not bring down the fullness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done." (Ether 2:11.)

Unfortunately, we have arrived at a day when the Constitution and the freedoms it shelters are in great jeopardy.⁽¹²⁾ Knowing the sanctity of the Constitution, we have an important obligation to mankind. "...The God of heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government," said President Benson.⁽¹³⁾ Then passing the hallowed responsibility on to us, he continued, "He has now sent other choice spirits to help preserve it."⁽¹⁴⁾ President David O. McKay said, "Next to being one in worshiping God, there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States."⁽¹⁵⁾

As we presently see our freedom being chipped away,⁽¹⁶⁾ we are encouraged by the recollection that God sustains those who fight for freedom. It was so with the birth of our nation. George Washington said, "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."⁽¹⁷⁾ The correlating scenes in Book of Mormon history, in which the Nephites discovered and established Zarahemla as a free land, also evidenced the hand of Providence.

The coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their inspired form of government was, as President Benson said, "the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel."⁽¹⁸⁾ A precursor relationship of sorts can also be found in Book of Mormon history. King Mosiah (the architect of the Nephites' inspired laws of government) was the one who "granted unto Alma [who is comparable to Joseph Smith] that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla...." (Mosiah 25:19.)⁽¹⁹⁾

As the land of Zarahemla was a beacon in ancient times (Mosiah 29:44), the United States of America "is a nation with a great mission for the benefit and blessing of liberty-loving people everywhere."⁽²⁰⁾ We, like the Nephites, have "exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which [has] been granted unto [us]...." (Mosiah 29:39.)