Notes
1. Quoted by B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 1 (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1930), p. 428.
Political Motto
Note and Comment
The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of Liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God, and good will to man. All good and wholesome laws, virtue and truth above all things, and aristarchy [the rule of those who actually are the best], live forever. But woe to tyrants, mobs, aristocracy, anarchy, and toryism, and all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious law suits, under the pretext and color of law, or office, either religious or political. Exalt the standard of democracy. Down with that of priest-craft, and let all the people say amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood, which bought for us our liberty.1
Joseph Smith Jr. March 1838