We are in the middle of another political season and it’s tough to watch. So much vitriol and partisan rancor. So much argumentum ad hominem. As a nation we are divided and polarized as never before and not just across the political spectrum but in just about every aspect of life. We seem so far from the nation that was raised up by the providential hand of God.

God said that he “established the constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men who [he] raised up unto this very purpose.” (Sec 98:10e) The political sentiment of the church has been from nearly its inception that “We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man” (Sec 112:1) but that “he holds men accountable in relation to them.” (Sec 112:1)

Moroni “prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren so long as there should be a band of Christians remain to possess the land;” (Alma 21:43) Our constitution, albeit under attack, was established in answer to Moroni’s prayer to “secure the Blessings of Liberty.”

But David Barton wrote that “if our understanding of historical facts and constitutional intent becomes confused or mistaken, the resulting policies may be not only ill-founded but may actually create the very abuses that the Founders originally intended to avoid.” (from the Forward to Original Intent by David Barton) Historical fact has been distorted and one could argue that we are seeing what David feared.

Is there hope for our nation?

Yes, I believe there is and it is found in the very purpose for which our nation was established. To be a crucible of freedom in which the gospel might be restored and flourish in order to establish the literal kingdom of God on earth. There is a land that has been consecrated for the gathering of the saints, a land of promise, the very place for the city of Zion and no other place shall be appointed.

God says that “he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” (Dan 2:21) He causes nations to rise and fall. He uses one nation to bring judgement against another … all for his purposes. What we see in the political landscape in our nation today may not make sense to us. It may even upset us but we must trust that it is all for God’s purposes. He is sovereign over all the nations. He reigns in truth and righteousness.

So while we may not like the politics of our nation and fear that we may lose our liberty, we can rest in the hope that God will accomplish his purposes. His word will not return to him void. He has appointed a place. It shall be called the New Jerusalem and it will be a “land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the most high God.” And most importantly “the glory of the Lord shall be there.” (Sec 45:12c-d) Let us so order our lives that we might have the privileged of citizenship in his kingdom that will surely come to pass.