In order that there may be no misunderstanding about the stand of the Church in matters having to do with and supporting constituted authority, the First Presidency of the Church reaffirms our traditional and revealed position epitomized in one of our Articles of Faith, namely, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.”

We make no statement on how this country can or should try to disengage itself from the present regrettable war in Vietnam; that is a problem, a very difficult problem, which must be solved by our governmental officials in whom we have complete confidence.

We believe our young men should hold themselves in readiness to respond to the call of their government to serve in the armed forces when called upon, and again we repeat, we believe in honoring, sustaining, and upholding the law.

We quote with approval and re-emphasize what President Joseph F. Smith, former president of the Church, said:

“Patriotism should be sought for and will be found in right living, not in high sounding phrases or words. True patriotism is part of the solemn obligation that belongs both to the nation and to the individual and to the home.

“Our nation's reputation should be guarded as sacredly as our family's good name. That reputation should be defended by every citizen, and our children should be taught to defend their country's honor under all circumstances. A truly patriotic spirit in the individual begets a public interest and sympathy which should be commensurate with our nation's greatness.

“To be a true citizen of a great country takes nothing from, but adds to, individual greatness. While a great and good people necessarily adds greatness and goodness to national life, the nation's greatness reacts upon its citizens and adds honor to them, and insures their welfare and happiness.

“Loyal citizens will probably be the last to complain of the faults and failures of our national administrators. They would rather conceal those evils which exist, and try to persuade themselves that they are only temporary and may and will be in time be corrected. It is none the less a patriotic duty to guard our nation whenever and wherever we can against those changeable and revolutionary tendencies which are destructive of a nation's weal and permanence.

“Our national welfare should always be a theme deeply rooted in our minds and exemplified in our individual lives, and the desire for our nation's good should be stronger than political party adherence. The nation's welfare means the welfare of every one of its citizens. To be a worthy and prosperous nation, it must possess those qualities which belong to individual virtues. The attitude of our country toward other nations should always be honest and above suspicion, and every good citizen should be jealous of our nation's reputation both at home and abroad. National patriotism is, therefore, something more than mere expression of willingness to fight, if need be.”

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY