Machiavelli wrote a very interesting piece of literature called “The Prince.” In it he outlines what would make a successful ruler. Specifically, how power is gained and how it can be maintained. Similarly, our scriptures outline how priesthood power is gained and maintained in Doctrine and Covenants section 121. In this post I will be comparing both pieces of literature and analyzing what is meant by virtue in each of these contexts.

First, how is power gained? Doctrine and Covenants 121:37 states, “That they may be conferred upon us, it is true.” Or in other words, the priesthood power of God is a gift that is conferred upon man. However, although the priesthood power is simply given it is given conditionally upon righteous behavior. Therefore, the power “cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness” (vs. 36).

Machiavelli says power is gained in 3 ways. By skill (or virtue), by luck, and by crime. He gives the examples of Moses, Cyrus and Romulus who by their skill became rulers and thereby gained power. Later he says, “A prince must lay strong foundations, otherwise he is bound to come to grief” (page 34). He also believed power could be gained by luck giving the examplse of Sforza and Borgia. And lastly, he explained how power often is gained by crime, which is in direct conflict with what Doctrine and Covenants teaches us. Machiavelli also shared that power could be gained by “winning over to your cause some baron of the kingdom” (page 13) or by intensely studying the subject of war (40). Nowhere does he mention power being conferred upon a man as a divine gift, which is what the Doctrine and Covenants teaches us.

Secondly, how is power maintained? According to the Doctrine and Covenants, once priesthood power is conferred upon a man it is maintained by righteousness. If a man does not act righteously “the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man” (vs 37). Priesthood power is maintained by obedience, humility, and charity. The promise to those who maintain this power through righteousness is seen in verse 46 which says, “The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.”

Machiavelli’s ideas on how power is maintained both compare and contrast to what is seen in Doctrine and Covenants. For one, he tells the prince that men “who become princes through their own strength of character…find it easy to hold onto” (page 17). This is similar to the doctrine in Doctrine and Covenants because they both teach that men with strength of character will be able to “hold onto” their power. Also, Machiavelli states that it is more effective to maintain power by being cruel than by being kind. In a way this compares Doctrine and Covenants because it says, “Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved” (vs 43). Or in other words, sometimes you have to be sharp in order to maintain unity and order.

In contrast with the Doctrine and Covenants Machiavelli teaches that dishonesty helps to maintain power. He says, “In the end, they [who manipulated] won out over those who tried to act honestly” (page 47). But we as Latter-day Saints know that true power is only gained and maintained by righteousness.

Lastly, what is meant by virtue in each of these contexts? In the Doctrine and Covenants we read, “…and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” From this we know that virtue is something which can garnish, or embellish, our thoughts. It encompasses goodness. In “The Prince” the word virtú derived from Latin is used several times. It means “virtue,” but in a little bit of a different sense than is used in the Doctrine and Covenants. Machiavelli uses it to describe the attributes of man. Some of the English translations of virtú come out to be “one’s own arms and energy”, his merit, his own talent, his strength, or his skill. According to Machiavelli virtue describes the essence of being a man.

Virtue and power therefore have a different relationship in the Doctrine and Covenants than they do in The Prince. In the Doctrine and Covenants, by being virtuous, or good, you obtain power. In The Prince, virtue, or your own strength and ability, is your power.

Overall, although Machiavelli makes some good points, as members of the church we know that God’s formula for gaining and maintaining power is always the correct one.