We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
I find this one a little harder with the current administration, though it is not the first time I have felt that way.
Then I see horrible behavior from people who claim to be against the government on similar grounds -- perhaps with other differences -- and I have a lot of thoughts.
There are responsibilities to living in a society. That is not just the responsibility we might have to each other under any circumstances. When we become a unit, where there are benefits to that but also restrictions and opportunities for conflict, it can be complicated and frustrating.
One thing I appreciate the phrasing is that not all governments are the same, but issues related to the social contract can still apply.
If you have a bad king -- or a bad president who would prefer being a king -- can one ethically be subject?
I believe so, but then how do we do that?
In a democracy that certainly means participating and working for the common good.
That sounds simple enough, but there are people who feel like their vote isn't worth the bother, with other people doing things like setting ballot boxes on fire because they suspect the submitted ballots are "wrong".
In that way it relates a lot to the eleventh article:
https://preparedspork.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-eleventh-article-of-faith.html
If the system has an abusive hierarchy spread through it, that's corruption to fight, but it is very easy to be sure you are in the right and that other people are the problem.
It ends up taking humility and love, which often appear to be in short supply.
One important step is considering the consequences:
What message will this send? Who will receive it? What will be the effects?
I have written about this before, mainly about Palestine. Regardless, if you are inconveniencing a lot of people who can't make the changes you are hoping for, that's probably not the way to go. If the reason you are picking on them is because you are scared of the people who are in charge, or just angry that people are not properly acknowledging your superiority, those would be clear signs that you are on the wrong path, but possibly signs that are hard to admit to yourself.
It takes thought and listening. It takes wisdom, which can be difficult, but prayer can help.
It takes a lot of honesty, especially with yourself.
And it takes integrity.
Knowing something is terrible but thinking that the ends justify the means is unlikely to be true. It's unlikely to help.
These are difficult times. I know. Navigating them is tricky, but I have not given up hope.
