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D&C 134:
1 We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

Governments should make laws that create a safe and free society

2 - JimmySmith.org

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Monarchy (mŏn-ər-kē)

government having a hereditary single person as leader for life and powers that vary from largely symbolic to absolute sovereignty

Oligarchy (ŏl-ĭ-gär′kē)

government in which power is held by a small group of people based on characteristics such as nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.

Republic (rĭ-pŭb-lĭk)

government in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for representatives responsible to them and governing according to law.

Democracy (dĭ-mŏk-rə-sē)

a: government by the people, especially rule of the majority. b: government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly

Theocracy (thē-ŏk′rə-sē)

government in which God is the supreme ruler, laws of the kingdom/country are taken from holy scripture, and church leaders are also government officials

3 - JimmySmith.org

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Monarchy (mŏn-ər-kē)

government having a hereditary single person as leader for life and powers that vary from largely symbolic to absolute sovereignty

Oligarchy (ŏl-ĭ-gär′kē)

government in which power is held by a small group of people based on characteristics such as nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control

Republic (rĭ-pŭb-lĭk)

government in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for representatives responsible to them and governing according to law

Democracy (dĭ-mŏk-rə-sē)

a: government by the people, especially rule of the majority. b: government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly

Theocracy (thē-ŏk′rə-sē)

government in which God is the supreme ruler, laws of the kingdom/country are taken from holy scripture, and church leaders are also government officials

4 - JimmySmith.org

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What Form of Government is the U.S.?

A Democracy?

Not by the strict definition.
We use democratic principles to vote and elect representatives, but we are not a direct democracy and majority does not overrule constitutional rights of minorities.
You could say we are a representative democracy.

A Republic?

Yes. The people elect representatives who exercise government power.
You could also say we are a democratic republic because there could be various ways of selecting representatives in a republic. In U.S., they are democratically elected.

5 - JimmySmith.org

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Upon exiting the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens
They asked what type of government the delegates had created.
His answer was:
"A republic, if you can keep it."

6 - JimmySmith.org

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The Book of Mormon Recommends Government by “the voice of the people”

Mosiah 29: 25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers, which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.
26 “Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.”
38 Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land

7 - JimmySmith.org

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Honest, Wise, and Good People Should Be Sought for Political Office

D&C 98: 5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.

8 - JimmySmith.org