What type of government did Moses establish for ancient Israel? How does it compare to the US government today?

1. Holy
Prophets
Priests
(Preachers)
over every 50
Individuals exercising own
free will according to their
good desires towards God
Church of God
Theocracy
Priests are ordained with
authority from God. . . .
“they should teach
nothing save it were the
things which he had
taught, and which had
been spoken by the
mouth of the Holy
prophets . . . They should
preach nothing save it
were repentance and
faith on the Lord, who
had redeemed His
people.” (See Mosiah
18:17-29)

2. Theocracy:
a system of government in which priests
rule in the name of God
John Taylor, the third President of the Church, reported:
“Some years ago, in Nauvoo, a gentleman . . . a member of the
Legislature, asked Joseph Smith how it was that he was enabled to
govern so many people, and to preserve such perfect order;
remarking at the same time that it was impossible for them to do it
anywhere else. Mr. Smith remarked that it was very easy to do that.
‘How?’ responded the gentleman; ‘to us it is very difficult.’
Mr. Smith replied, ‘I teach them correct principles, and they govern
themselves.’”

3. Theocracy Democratic
Republic
The Church of God is established as a
theocracy. . .
The stewardship of priesthood
leaders and organization
presidencies is to represent God to
the people.
The government of the United
States is established as a
Democratic Republic . . .
The responsibility of
Representative is to represent the
will of the people to state and
national leaders.
Every church leader called to serve under the
authority of God must ask themselves.
“Which way do you face?”
See General Conference talk by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. October 2014.

4. Ancient Israel Government
Moses
More that 600,000
families
More than
3,000,000
individuals
The leader was responsible for solving all problems
Moses grew up
in the house of
Pharoah and
learned a
monarchial form
of government.
“and the people
stood by Moses
from the
morning unto
the evening. “
Exodus 18:13
Jethro taught
Moses a
better way:
“The thing
that thou
doest is not
good. Thou
will surely
wear away,
both thou,
and this
people with
thee.” Exodus
18: 13-19

5. Hierarchy of a Republic
See Deuteronomy 1: 13-15
Moses
Aaron – Joshua
(VPs)
Council of Seventy
Leader of a groups
of 1000 families
Leader of a groups of 100
families
Leader of a groups of 50 families
Leader of a groups of 10 families
Individual Families
Individuals with Power to Govern Themselves
“So Moses took
the chief of
tribes, wise
men, and
known, and
made them
heads over the
people . . .
. . . Captains
over
thousands,
and captains
over hundreds,
and captains
over fifties,
and captains
over tens, and
officers among
their tribes.”

6. Ruler’s Law
A system of government where all governing power is given to the few. This type
of government comes under different names.
•Royal government of “One”Monarchy
•Dictator type government of “One”Autocracy
•Government by an exclusive, wealthy classPlutocracy
•Government by those with inherited titles or those in the
privileged classAristocracy
•Government by an exclusive fewOligarchy
•Aggregate of kingdoms ruled by a monarch called EmperorEmpire
•Government by one or few top military leadersMilitary Dictatorship

7. Loss of Freedom under Ruler’s Law
Government power exercised by
compulsion or force
People are treated as “subjects” of the
ruler
The land is treated as the “realm” of the
ruler
The people have no unalienable rights
Government by the rule of men rather
than the rule of law

8. Prophetic Warning about Kings
“Behold, it is not expedient that we
should have a king; for thus saith the
Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh
above another, or one man shall not
think himself above another;
therefore I say unto you it is not
expedient that ye should have a king.
. . Remember the iniquity of King
Noah and his priests . . . Ye have
been in bondage to him and his
priests, and have been brought into
iniquity by them; therefore ye were
bound with the bands of iniquity.”
Mosiah 23: 7, 9, 12)
Alma

9. Prophetic Warning about Kings
“Because all men are not just it is not expedient that ye should have a
king or kings to rule over you. For behold, how much iniquity doth one
wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!
Remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and also
the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great
destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities
they were brought into bondage.” (Mosiah 29: 16-18)
King Mosiah

10. Prophetic Warning about Kings
“And behold, now I say unto you ye cannot dethrone
an iniquitous king save it be through much
contention, and the shedding of much blood.
“For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he
keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the
laws of those who have reigned in righteousness
before him; and he trampleth under his feet the
commandments of God;
“and he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth
among his people, Yea, laws after the manner of his
own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his
laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever
doth rebel against him he will send his armies against
them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and
thus an unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all
righteousness.”
Mosiah 29: 21-23