Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Twenty-One

What Many Parents, Politicians, and Young People Need to Know

Many people want others to do for them what they ought to do for themselves – This is an age old problem, and is one reason why King Mosiah in the Book of Mormon proposed a new form of government.  Many Nephites had come to expect government (the king) to solve their personal problems.   He explained that “these things ought not to be; but that the burden (responsibility) should come upon all the people, that every man might bear his part,” and in order to live in a land of liberty and for everyone to enjoy their rights and privileges alike the people needed to be self-reliant and to take personal responsibility for their lives. (See Mosiah 29:32-34). 

There is a great need to convince people, especially the young, of these principles – When Mosiah explained these principles his people “were convinced of the truth of his words.  Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own sins” (29:37-38).  They were willing to be accountable and to take personal responsibility for their choices.

We must elect people who support self-reliance and personal responsibility – There will be resistance to this, but experience shows that government is not generally good at promoting self-reliance and personal accountability.  Furthermore, the beliefs and policies of unwise political leaders makes self-reliance and personal responsibility more difficult.  In voting we should carefully consider a candidate’s position on these issues. 

Being self-reliant and accountable is how we improve and it fosters love and esteem; dependence is bondage and fosters resentment – Parents particularly need to understand these principles.  When the Nephites understood “they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had been granted unto them” (29:35-39).  Mosiah “established peace in the land, and he had granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage; therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure” (29:40).  Self-reliance and accountability increases love and respect children have for their parents.

Both the attitude of dependence and the desire for self-reliance is usually passed on to succeeding generations – For this reason promoting self-reliance and personal accountability is one of the most important things we can do for our children and our grandchildren.  This will increase love and harmony in our family now and in the eternities.  Furthermore, being self-reliant and personally accountable will greatly expand the confidence children have in themselves and in their future.  They will have the confidence necessary to get an education, get married, raise a family, and make a contribution to their Church and nation.