Obeying, Honoring and Sustaining the Law

While preparing for my lesson this week I ran into the following from Doctrine and Covenants 98:4-6:

4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.

5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.

6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;

 The context of these three verses is around the time when the Saints where in Jackson County Missouri. There was at this time negative sentiment towards the Saints by the people and leaders in that county. Mobs had formed and were threatening the Saints. The Saints were told that they could pursue the legal course as setup by the law. In this case the law did not help the Saints and they were driven from Jackson County.

Today, however, I feel that these verses apply to us. Especially verse 5 discussing supporting the freedom of maintaining rights and privileges. The Lord tells us that these laws belong to mankind and are therefore correct in front of Him.

This means that we should follow the 12th Article of Faith:

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Our Constitution contains laws that maintain the rights and privileges of men in supporting principles of freedom. During this July where we celebrate the birth of this great country, we need to remember this and be grateful we have such laws.