This faq includes a compilation of statements misquoted and wrongly attributed to general authorities of the Church.
Quote 01
“The Gadianton Robbers from the Book of Mormon are loose among us. The King-men, and women, are running our government. And, worst of all, we are blindly electing them, or appointing them so they can continue to destroy the things we cherish most.” (John Widtsoe, General Conference, April 1944)
This statement is originally from a book, Our Title of Liberty by Jim and Donna Barrus. Immediately following that paragraph is a quote from John A. Widtsoe in the Conference Report April 1944.
“The Gadianton Robbers from the Book of Mormon are loose among us. The King-men, and women, are running our government. And, worst of all, we are blindly electing them, or appointing them so they can continue to destroy the things we cherish most.
‘We engage in the election, the same as any other principle; you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this, it is a sin: to vote for wicked men would be a sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helplesslambs. Damn the rod of tyranny; curse it. Let every man use his liberties according to the Constitution; . . . we want a president of the United States, not a party president, but a president of the whole people, for a party president disfranchises the opposite party. Have a president who will maintain every man in his rights. -Elder John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, April 1944, Afternoon Meeting, p.97’ ” (Our Title of Liberty, Jim and Donna Barrus, pg. 15-16)
This quote was mistakenly attributed to John A. Widtsoe. The correct attribution is Jim and Donna Barrus.
