"Know the Truth and the Truth shall make you Free"

VOL. 3 June 27, 1844

The Prophet Joseph Smith

Champion of Liberty-----Defender of the Faith-----Martyr

"...and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations..."

I feel it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can, lawfully, in the United States, for the protection of injured innocence; and if I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth, in maintaining the laws and Constitution for the United States , if need be, for the general good of mankind.

(Feb. 8, 1844.) DHC 6:210-211 (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 p.331)

We say that God is true; that the Constitution for the United States is true ; that the Bible is true; that the Book of Mormon is true; that the Book of Covenants is true; that Christ is true; that the ministering angels sent forth from God are true, and that we know that we have an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God; a consolation which our oppressors cannot feel, when fortune, or fate, shall lay its iron hand on them as it has on us.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39 p.148

Here is a principle also, which we are bound to be exercised with, that is, in common with all men, such as governments, and laws, and regulations in the civil concerns of life. This principle guarantees to all parties, sects, and denominations, and classes of religion, equal, coherent, and indefeasible rights; they are things that pertain to this life; therefore all are alike interested; they make our responsibilities one towards another in matters of corruptible things, while the former principles do not destroy the latter, but bind us stronger, and make our responsibilities not only one to another, but unto God also. Hence we say, that the Constitution for the United States is a glorious standard ; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Three 1838-39 p.147

It is one of the first principles of my life, and one that I have cultivated from my childhood, having been taught it by my father, to allow every one that liberty of conscience. I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution for the United States there is on the earth. In my feelings I am always ready to die for the protection of the weak and oppressed in their just rights. The only fault I find with the Constitution is, it is not broad enough to cover the whole ground.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 p.326

The Constitution should contain a provision that every officer of the Government who should neglect or refuse to extend the protection guaranteed in the Constitution should be subject to capital punishment; and then the president of the United States would not say, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you," a governor issue exterminating orders, or judges say, "The men ought to have the protection of law, but is won't please the mob; the men must die, anyhow, to satisfy the clamor of the rabble; they must be hung, or Missouri be damned to all eternity." Executive writs could be issued when they ought to be, and not be made instruments of cruelty to oppress the innocent, and persecute men whose religion is unpopular.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 p.327

Guarantee of impartiality by covenant.

"And I will now covenant with you before God, that I will not listen to or credit any derogatory report against any of you, nor condemn you upon any testimony beneath the heavens, short of that testimony which is infallible, until I can see you face to face, and know of a surety; and I do place unremitted confidence in your word, for I believe you to be men of truth. And I ask the same of you, when I tell you anything, that you place equal confidence in my word, for I will not tell you I know anything that I do not know."

The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith: Page: p. 106 - DHC 2:373-374 (January 16, 1836.).

Until I see you face to face, I will NOT Listen to any derogatory report against you Until I see you face to face, I will NOT credit any derogatory report against you. Until I see you face to face, I will not condemn you upon any testimony. (accuser) BOTH PARTIES MUST BE PRESENT! Deuteronomy 19:15-20 15. One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 16. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17. Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18. And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19. Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. Saturday, July 11, 1840. -- The High Council met at my office, when I taught them principles relating to their duty as a Council, and that they might be guided by the same in future, I ordered it to be recorded as follows: "That the Council should try NO CASE without both parties being present, or having had an opportunity to be present; neither should they hear one person's complaint before his case is brought up for trial; neither should they suffer the character of any one to be exposed before the High Council without the person being present and ready to defend him or herself; that the minds of the councilors be not prejudiced for or against any one whose case they may possibly have to act upon."

(July 11, 1840.) DHC 4:154. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Four 1839-42 p.164

When Impartiality diminishes then Prejudice increases. If we Listen to a derogatory report (from an accuser) without the accused being present, If we give credence to an accuser’s testimony without the accused being present, If we condemn the accused based on the accuser’s testimony without the accused being present. 3 counts felony perjury! Then, if we are called or appointed to sit in an official judicial capacity for that person, having committed felony perjury, and have not recused ourselves from judgement on that person. 3 counts felony fraud! D&C 121:37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

Maximum of Law: Presumed Innocent until proven guilty. …; another, a woman near the same place, professed to have the discerning spirits, and began to accuse another sister of things that she was not guilty of, which she said she knew was so by the spirit, but was afterwards proven to be false; she placed herself in the capacity of the "accuser of the brethren," and no person through the discerning of spirits can bring a charge against another, they must be proven guilty by positive evidence, or they stand clear. Positive Evidence: 2 or more witnesses. In the courts of our day this witness is call a “first-hand material fact witness”. So how do we know that one is truly a first-hand material fact witness? This kind of witness is one who has seen with their eyes or heard with their ears or touched or handled something with their hands. The scriptures prove this. 3 Nephi 11:1-15 (summarize) First they heard the voice of God with their ears which caused their hearts to burn. They saw with their own eyes the Savior descending and heard with their ears his voice as He spoke to them. Finally, they went forth and thrust their hands into his side and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come. These are first hand material fact witnesses because “THEY SAW WITH THEIR OWN EYES, THEY HEARD WITH THEIR OWN EARS AND THE TOUCHED WITH THEIR OWN HANDS.”. …and I do place unremitted confidence in your word, for I believe you to be men of truth. And I ask the same of you, when I tell you anything, that you place equal confidence in my word, for I will not tell you I know anything that I do not know.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44 p.327

Death Penalty: The Prophet Joseph Smith said: The Constitution should contain a provision that every officer of the Government who should neglect or refuse to extend the protection guaranteed in the Constitution should be subject to capital punishment;. TPJS. p.327 Evidences from the Book of Mormon that the death penalty is according to the law of God. Alma 46:35 And it came to pass that whomsoever of the Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the covenant of freedom. Alma 62:9 And the men of Pachus received their trial, according to the law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea, those men of Pachus and those king-men, whosoever would not take up arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it, were put to death. Helaman 1:4-8 Now these are not all the sons of Pahoran (for he had many), but these are they who did contend for the judgment-seat; therefore, they did cause three divisions among the people. Nevertheless, it came to pass that Pahoran was appointed by the voice of the people to be chief judge and a governor over the people of Nephi. And it came to pass that Pacumeni, when he saw that he could not obtain the judgment-seat, he did unite with the voice of the people. But behold, Paanchi, and that part of the people that were desirous that he should be their governor, was exceedingly wroth; therefore, he was about to flatter away those people to rise up in rebellion against their brethren. And it came to pass as he was about to do this, behold, he was taken, and was tried according to the voice of the people, and condemned unto death; for he had raised up in rebellion and sought to destroy the liberty of the people. Alma 8:16-17 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will DESTROY them. For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which he has given unto his people. 3 Nephi 9:9 And behold, that great city Jacobugath, which was inhabited by the people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth, because of their secret murders and combinations; for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land; therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them. Taking upon yourself the DEATH PENALTY rather than “neglect or refuse” anyone any of their God-given and unalienable rights, especially DUE PROCESS OF LAW. 20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their religion, that the Lord God may bless them. 21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed these words, behold, the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or, in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God, or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent their garments. 22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall into transgression.

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