Joseph Smith Principles

A member of the Illinois legislature once asked Joseph Smith how he was able to govern so many people and keep order among the members of the Mormon church. The man claimed that it had been impossible to do so anywhere else. Joseph Smith replied by saying, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves.” This statement introduces the idea of self-governance—in other words, after learning principles, people individually interpret what is taught and then apply it to their lives in the way it seems fit. I believe that this statement focuses more on following the “spirit of the law” rather than the “letter of the law.” If this statement was based on the letter of the law, then there would be more immediate and harsh consequences for those that went against the principles that Joseph Smith and other apostles
There would be absolutely no gray area involved; all principles would have a black and white side. Joseph Smith knew that people would interpret certain principles differently and as a result would apply these principles into their lives in various ways. He also knew that the more they focused on the doctrines of the gospel and centered their lives around Jesus Christ, then the principles would often be applied correctly. These ideas of learning, agency (the ability to choose), and self-governance are introduced again in teachings by Confucius. The teachings of Confucius best fit the idea presented by Joseph Smith because it emphasizes how a person’s level of knowledge sets them apart, how application helps a person to find the right path, and how a leader’s example can potentially influence the public to govern themselves