Hi there, why religion friends, Professor Anthony Sweat here from the Department of Church

History and Doctrine.

You know, the author Mark Twain once said that you should never discuss politics and religion

in polite company.

And if that's true, and if you're anything like me, you might be tired of discussing politics

right now anyway, particularly as we

approach a presidential election that has been full of impoliteness, if I can say it that way.

But regardless of which party or candidate you may or may not support, the truth is that politics

affects us all. It affects our families, our employment, our rights, and especially our religion.

And while some would like to separate politics completely from religion, because they're

somewhat different entities, the reality is that you often can't.

They may be oil and water, but they exist in the same container of life

that consistently shakes them up together.

Thus, the church's involvement in politics shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us,

nor is it anything new, frankly.

From the earliest days of the restoration,

the prophet Joseph Smith and the saints learned firsthand that politics directly affected their

ability to live their religion. When the saints were driven unlawfully from their homes in

Independence, Missouri, for example, the Lord instructed the saints this way.

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. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be

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