The Purpose of Government

Artist’s depiction of the Constitutional Convention. Painted by Junius Brutus Stearns, 1856.

In order to continue in our goal of positive political influence, along with a unifying definition of liberty, it is vital to have set clearly in our minds the proper purpose of a government created “of the people, by the people, and for the people”. Ezra Taft Benson once said, “(Political) Decisions…should be based upon and measured against certain basic principles regarding the proper role of government. If principles are correct, then they can be applied to any specific proposal with confidence.” To understand some of these basic principles regarding the proper role of government, we may look to both scripture and founding U.S. documents.

According to revelation received by Joseph Smith, the purpose of government includes the following: “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, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. 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 protections of life,” (D&C 134:1-2).

From this we may summarize that governments are formed:

• For the benefit of man
• For the good and safety of society
• To ensure peace
• To secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life

For the complete declaration, click HERE.

Before the founding of the Unites States, Thomas Paine, a persuasive writer and enthusiastic supporter of U.S. Independence, wrote a pamphlet entitled “Common Sense”. This widely read publication addressed the purpose of government and the evils of a monarchy in the language of the common people, thus persuading many to turn from the notion of reconciliation with England towards Independence and the creation of a new nation.

Within “Common Sense”, Thomas Paine offers these insights regarding the purpose of government:

“Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices…Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows, that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and the greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.”

“In order to gain a clear and just idea of the design and end of government, let us suppose a small number of persons settled in some sequestered part of the earth, unconnected with the rest, they will then represent the first peopling of any country, or of the world.” Thomas Paine goes on to explain that, in these circumstances, the first concern of a new society is meeting immediate needs and wants. This concern encourages “first peoples” to work together. In essence, survival requires unity of purpose.

This initial unity, he explains, “…would supersede, and render the obligations of law and government unnecessary while they remained perfectly just to each other”. As this new society overcomes the initial difficulties of survival, and as more immigrate into the new society, “they will begin to relax in their duty and attachment to each other; and this remissness, will point out the necessity, of establishing some form of government to supply the defect of moral virtue.”

In this state, and with relatively few numbers, “the whole colony may assemble to deliberate on public matters. It is more than probable that their first laws will have the title only of Regulations, and be enforced by no other penalty than public disesteem. In this first parliament every man, by natural right, will have a seat.”

“But as the colony increases, the public concerns will increase likewise, and the distance at which the members may be separated, will render it too inconvenient for all of them to meet on every occasion…This will point out the convenience of their consenting to leave the legislative part to be managed by a select number chosen from the whole body, who are supposed to have the same concerns at stake which those who appointed them, and who will act in the same manner as the whole body would act were they present.”

He concludes: “Here then is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz. freedom and security.”

Based on Thomas Paine’s explanations, the purpose of government is:

• To punish vice
• To provide security
• To promote justice between individuals and groups as society expands
• To defend freedom

Here is a look at the church declaration next to Thomas Paine’s explanations regarding the purpose of Government:

-For the benefit of man                                                 -To punish vice
-For the good and safety of society                             -To provide security
-To ensure peace                                                             -To promote justice between peoples
-To secure to each individual the free exercise         -To defend freedom   
  of conscience, the right and control of property, 
  and the protection of life

You can see the similarities.

I believe that our Founding Fathers were inspired men, each employing their strengths and talents in bringing about the formation of these United States, which subsequent protection of religious exercise allowed for a young Joseph Smith to begin the process of restoring the true gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today. Such enlightened sources of defining the purpose of government are worthy of our notice and study.

Ezra Taft Benson, in a speech titled “The Proper Role of Government”, gave these “Fifteen Principles Which Make For Good and Proper Government”:

1. I believe that no people can maintain freedom unless their political institutions are founded upon faith in God and belief in the existence of moral law.
2. I believe that God has endowed men with certain unalienable rights as set forth in the Declaration of Independence and that no legislature and no majority, however great, may morally limit or destroy these; that the sole function of government is to protect life, liberty, and property and anything more than this is usurpation and oppression.
3. I believe that the Constitution of the United States was prepared and adopted by men acting under inspiration from Almighty God; that it is a solemn compact between the peoples of the States of this nation which all officers of government are under duty to obey; that the eternal moral laws expressed therein must be adhered to or individual liberty will perish.
4. I believe it a violation of the Constitution for government to deprive the individual of either life, liberty, or property except for these purposes:(a) Punish crime and provide for the administration of justice;(b) Protect the right and control of private property; (c) Wage defensive war and provide for the nation’s defense;(d) Compel each one who enjoys the protection of government to bear his fair share of the burden of performing the above functions.
5. I hold that the Constitution denies government the power to take from the individual either his life, liberty, or property except in accordance with moral law; that the same moral law which governs the actions of men when acting alone is also applicable when they act in concert with others; that no citizen or group of citizens has any right to direct their agent, the government to perform any act which would be evil or offensive to the conscience if that citizen were performing the act himself outside the framework of government.
6. I am hereby resolved that under no circumstances shall the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights be infringed. In particular I am opposed to any attempt on the part of the Federal Government to deny the people their right to bear arms, to worship and pray when and where they choose, or to own and control private property.
7. I consider ourselves at war with international Communism which is committed to the destruction of our government, our right of property, and our freedom; that it is treason as defined by the Constitution to give aid and comfort to this implacable enemy.
8. I am unalterably opposed to Socialism, either in whole or in part, and regard it as an unconstitutional usurpation of power and a denial of the right of private property for government to own or operate the means of producing and distributing goods and services in competition with private enterprise, or to regiment owners in the legitimate use of private property.
9. I maintain that every person who enjoys the protection of his life, liberty, and property should bear his fair share of the cost of government in providing that protection; that the elementary principles of justice set forth in the Constitution demand that all taxes imposed be uniform and that each person’s property or income be taxed at the same rate.
10. I believe in honest money, the gold and silver coinage of the Constitution, and a circulation medium convertible into such money without loss. I regard it as a flagrant violation of the explicit provisions of the Constitution for the Federal Government to make it a criminal offense to use gold or silver coin as legal tender or to use irredeemable paper money.
11. I believe that each State is sovereign in performing those functions reserved to it by the Constitution and it is destructive of our federal system and the right of self-government guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to regulate or control the States in performing their functions or to engage in performing such functions itself.
12. I consider it a violation of the Constitution for the Federal Government to levy taxes for the support of state or local government; that no State or local government can accept funds from the Federal and remain independent in performing its functions, nor can the citizens exercise their rights of self-government under such conditions.
13. I deem it a violation of the right of private property guaranteed under the Constitution for the Federal Government to forcibly deprive the citizens of this nation of their property through taxation or otherwise, and make a gift thereof to foreign governments or their citizens.
14. I believe that no treaty or agreement with other countries should deprive our citizens of rights guaranteed them by the Constitution.
15. I consider it a direct violation of the obligation imposed upon it by the Constitution for the Federal Government to dismantle or weaken our military establishment below that point required for the protection of the States against invasion, or to surrender or commit our men, arms, or money to the control of foreign ore world organizations of governments.

          "These things I believe to be the proper role of government.” 

In conclusion, none have put the purpose of government down quite so eloquently as our founding fathers in The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”. As we seek to positively influence policy, law, and government, may we also seek, as our founders so wisely stated, to “hold these truths” dear to hearts and expect our elected officials do the same.