Welcome to Mormon Women for Ethical Government. This group was born of desire, frustration, and hope — the desire to act, the frustration that comes from feeling directionless and alone in our efforts, and the hope that, working together, we can actually make a difference. There is strength in numbers and power in organization, and so we have created this space where we can come together to share our ideas and our plans of action, coordinate our efforts, and support one another in our call for a return to honor, decency, and ethics in our government and social institutions.
We believe we were created to act and not be acted upon. We know, too, that God expects us to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in [us]” (D&C 58: 27-28).
These are strange times. We cannot stand by and do nothing. To do nothing is to be complicit. And so we must act. But it is our belief that we must act always in kindness and with civility. A call for kindness and civility is not a call for resignation or acceptance or capitulation. It’s simply a call for us to hearken to the better angels of our natures as we engage in the fight. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” So let’s fight, by all means! Let’s fight with focus and determination and ferocity. Let’s drive out the darkness, drive out the hate. But with light, and with love, because those are the only weapons that can possibly lead to ultimate triumph.
Group Description:
Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) is a nonpartisan group dedicated to the ideals of decency, honor, accountability, transparency, truth, and justice in the governing of the United States of America. We are at once watchdogs and activists. This forum will act as a clearinghouse for ideas, strategies, and specific plans of action. Our goal is to share information, make plans, organize, mobilize, and act with the intent of both impeding unlawful/unethical proceedings and promoting positive change. Any posts or comments that detract from our stated purpose and vision may be deleted at the discretion of the administration.
In our role as watchdogs, we will ask ourselves two questions when considering an issue: 1) Is it legal? and 2) Is it ethical? If the answer is no, then we will work to oppose that issue.
Members of this group are absolutely committed to civility and respectful discourse and conduct. We pledge to uphold the core principles of nonviolence as practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and our own Principles of Peacemaking.* We will not engage in name-calling, vitriol, or hate speech of any kind. We will seek to understand all sides of every issue before taking action.
MWEG’s Six Principles of Peacemaking
“And lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth.” — D&C 105:39
1. Peacemaking is proactive and courageous.
We are all called to be peacemakers. We acquire the necessary courage and confidence for this work by filling our hearts and minds with pure knowledge, charity, and virtue (see Matthew 5:9 and D&C 121: 42, 45).
2. Peacemaking seeks to unify instead of divide.
We believe that only kindness, empathy, and pure love can adequately enlarge our souls, strip us of hypocrisy, and help us become reconciled to Jesus Christ and to one another (see Ephesians 2: 14, 19 and D&C 121:42).
3. Peacemaking demands great tolerance for people and none for injustice.
We reject and oppose any attempt to use power or authority for the purposes of self-interest, justification of evil, or exercising unrighteous dominion or compulsion over others. We seek to dismantle all such corruption and the injustices which it perpetuates (see Ephesians 5:11 and D&C 121:37).
4. Peacemaking views human suffering as sacred.
We believe it is our Christian duty to alleviate human suffering wherever possible. For those to whom we cannot provide relief, we bear witness to their suffering, mourn with them in solidarity, and persistently shine a light on the causes of that suffering (see Luke 16: 19-31 and Mosiah 18: 8-9).
5. Peacemaking chooses love instead of hate.
We believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe and that any sound relations can be maintained only through persuasion, patience, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned, and that through this love, the hearts of all people might be knit together (see D&C 121:41, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, and Mosiah 18:21).
6. Peacemaking believes that ultimate peace is not only possible, but sure.
We believe that, through Christ who overcame all, we can have the hope of peace in this life, regardless of our circumstances, and the promise of everlasting peace when Christ comes again to reign forever as the Prince of Peace (see John 16:33 and D&C 59:23).
*Note: Mormon Women for Ethical Government is a private organization and is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We do, however, sustain and honor the Church’s doctrines and leaders.
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