Instead of dwelling at length on a definition of unrighteous dominion, verses 41 through 46 explain for us what might be called the priesthood pattern of leadership and which might be regarded as the opposite of unrighteous dominion. Sometimes we can get a better understanding of what something is by considering what it is not. It emphasizes tasks and agendas at the expense of human relationships and the welfare of souls. Its objective is worldly acclaim and gratification of pride and vain ambition instead of divine approbation.
It fails to honor the God-given moral agency of men and women. It would appear that this is a characteristic of the natural man that must be overcome if one is to achieve sanctification (see Mosiah 3:19).Įxamining Doctrine and Covenants 121:34-46, one senses the implication that unrighteous dominion has any of at least three characteristics: That the Prophet would write this in the context of the Savior's words that "many are called but few are chosen" (see verses 34 and 40 see also Matthew 22:14) indicates that the tendency toward unrighteous dominion is a nearly universal fault that extends even to some who might occupy positions of responsibility in the Church. It is not some men or even most men, but almost all men (and, it might be added, some women) who are disposed to the exercise of unrighteous dominion over others. Hence, Joseph had good reason to write: "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:39).
It is worth noting that on this occasion, the Prophet and his people had been subjected to unrighteous dominion in the form of outrageous mobocracy, state-approved human rights violations, and treachery from false brethren. The phrase unrighteous dominion, familiar to Church members, occurs in just one place in the scriptures: Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants, taken from a prayer and prophecies written by Joseph Smith in March 1839 while he and several brethren were imprisoned on false charges in the jail at Liberty, Mo.
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