Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Four

Freedom and Patriotism 250 Years Ago, 15 Years Ago, and Today

In 1843 the Prophet Joseph Smith declared himself as a candidate for President of the United States with Sidney Rigdon as Vice President. The election was scheduled for the fall of 1844, but Joseph was assassinated on June 27, 1844 at Carthage Illinois. This made him the first candidate for President of the United States ever to be assassinated.

When the Prophet announced his candidacy he released his “Views on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States.” This was done in the form of an “Address to the American People.” Joseph wrote his platform within one year of his death, and therefore, it is one of his last major contributions. In his platform we learn his views on government and the responsibility of elected officials.

What Joseph wrote should be applied to our day. I am a believer that Joseph was a great prophet and the head of the dispensation of the fulness of times. Over my life time I have had experience in government and politics. Never before have I felt as I do now that every responsible citizen must demand truth and accountability.

Joseph’s primary purpose in writing “Views on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States” was to set forth the responsibilities of elected officials at all levels of government: Joseph wrote: “that government officers are nothing more of less than servants of the people.” He specially referred to the “great and illustrious Washington” and the “respected and venerable Thomas Jefferson. He called Benjamin Franklin a “golden patriot.” He identified John Adams, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincey Adams and Andrew Jackson as presidents he believed were good examples.

Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism from the Book of Mormon is the title of a booklet I wrote in 2011, years before any of today’s prominent political figures were known. Today, many of the issues discussed in my booklet are still front and center, but our political officials, both elected and appointed, are different people. I am more concerned about some of our national political officials and influencers today than in 2011.

This year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We believe the founding of the United States, and the principles upon which it was founded are of God. We also believe that the founding of the United States was a necessary prologue to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith. This year seems an appropriate time to ask ourselves if we are comfortable with trends we see and if a course correction is needed.

During the course of this year I will occasionally write about an issue or a personality that I wrote about in 2011. This helps me to consider where we are now compared to 250 years ago or even 15 years ago when I first wrote Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism. (When I make any changes to what I wrote in 2011 I will put them in parentheses)

I begin with George Washington.
[Please click on hyperlink above for the lesson.]

Released on January 31st. 2026