Round 6...
Scripture: Abraham 1: 26
A portion of the first chapter of the Book of Abraham explains the origins of the Egyptians. I do not know enough about the origin story of the Egyptians to comment on similarities and differences, I do, however, believe I know enough to comment on the evolution of the system of government. As far as I know Egypt spent many thousands of years, and in many ways still to this day as a patriarchal monarchy. According to the Book of Abraham this form of government began with Egypt’s first ruler, Pharaoh. (That name sounds extremely familiar...)
Further the Book of Abraham records that the first Pharaoh tried to imitate the form of government set forth by Adam. It makes sense that Adam would rule over his child as a king, because he was their father and had that role naturally. What is interesting to note is that the government of the first people continued as a monarchy, instead of changing to what most modern people would say is the best form of government given the nature of men: democracy.Even King Mosiah recognized that a single king could easily become corrupted and lead the people astray. Surely Adam with his frequent communication with God could also see this. Why then did he not press upon his children the need to form a different type of government?
I suppose it is possible that he did not see a need, under the premise that there would always be someone to lead the people righteously, and a place for them to go to live as God would have them. I think the most feasible possibility is that monarchy was the form of government best suited to their needs, and only now something has changed so that a different form of government is necessary to allow the most freedom and happiness to the people. What has changed I can only guess. The number, nature or knowledge of people, are my first three guesses, but I will be the first to admit that I have no idea.
Scripture: Abraham 1: 26
A portion of the first chapter of the Book of Abraham explains the origins of the Egyptians. I do not know enough about the origin story of the Egyptians to comment on similarities and differences, I do, however, believe I know enough to comment on the evolution of the system of government. As far as I know Egypt spent many thousands of years, and in many ways still to this day as a patriarchal monarchy. According to the Book of Abraham this form of government began with Egypt’s first ruler, Pharaoh. (That name sounds extremely familiar...)
Further the Book of Abraham records that the first Pharaoh tried to imitate the form of government set forth by Adam. It makes sense that Adam would rule over his child as a king, because he was their father and had that role naturally. What is interesting to note is that the government of the first people continued as a monarchy, instead of changing to what most modern people would say is the best form of government given the nature of men: democracy.Even King Mosiah recognized that a single king could easily become corrupted and lead the people astray. Surely Adam with his frequent communication with God could also see this. Why then did he not press upon his children the need to form a different type of government?
I suppose it is possible that he did not see a need, under the premise that there would always be someone to lead the people righteously, and a place for them to go to live as God would have them. I think the most feasible possibility is that monarchy was the form of government best suited to their needs, and only now something has changed so that a different form of government is necessary to allow the most freedom and happiness to the people. What has changed I can only guess. The number, nature or knowledge of people, are my first three guesses, but I will be the first to admit that I have no idea.
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