"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government."
— Thomas Jefferson
Dear readers,
Today I am drawn to this quote from Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, a writer and signer of the Declaration of Independence and a key architect of early American government, emphasized the role of government as a protector—not a destroyer—of life and happiness. While this is not a history lesson, the relevance of this quote to our current time compels deeper reflection.
Our government has recently failed in one of its most basic obligations: to protect its citizens. A man was dragged from his home without due process and sent to another country. Despite a ruling from the highest court in the land affirming his rights, no meaningful action has been taken to return him. This means that our government—our government—has turned its back on one of its own without a word. No protest. No pursuit of justice. No defense.
We have declared to all the world that the United States of America is no longer willing to protect or defend those within its borders.
So, I ask myself: what would my ancestors—who fought in the American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and both World Wars—say from the dust today? I cannot believe they would respond with silence. I believe they would echo the following voices of truth:
"The vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty; that, in the contemplation of a sound and well-informed judgment, their interest can never be separated."
— Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1
"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."
— Frederick Douglass
"It is the responsibility of the government to serve all the people, and to protect their rights equally."
— John F. Kennedy
Our moral obligation to protect even one person—especially the vulnerable, the outcast, or the unjustly treated—is eternal. The Savior taught this beautifully in the parable of the lost sheep:
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
— Matthew 18:12–14, ESV
In the words of a Latter-day Saint prophet:
“Besides the preaching of the gospel, we have another mission, namely, the perpetuation of the free agency of man and the maintenance of liberty, freedom, and the rights of man.”
— John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 23:63
As I reflect on the words of prophets, presidents, patriots, and the Savior Himself, I cannot help but feel a solemn weight. When even one soul is abandoned, when one citizen is denied protection, our moral compass falters, and the foundation of our liberty trembles.
We cannot be silent. We must not grow numb to injustice. Whether through our voices, our votes, or our prayers, we are called to uphold a government that guards life and happiness, not one that turns away from them.
Let us remember the sacred duty passed down from those who fought and bled for freedom—not only to enjoy our liberties but to defend them for every soul, especially the one that is lost.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe our government is still protecting the one?
Comment below or share this post if it resonated with you.
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