"True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right"

True independence and freedom are ideals long sought after by individuals and communities, often associated with the absence of external control, coercion, or oppression. However, Brigham Young’s assertion challenges the superficial understanding of these concepts, directing attention to the internal moral compass that guides one’s actions. Doing what is right, rather than merely acting according to one’s desires or preferences, becomes the foundation for genuine liberty.

Mere license, the ability to act without restriction, can quickly devolve into enslavement to one’s own appetites, passions, or vices. When individuals neglect what is right, they might believe themselves free, yet are often bound by consequences: guilt, regret, and the negative impacts on themselves and others. In contrast, aligning choices with what is morally upright requires conscious self-mastery; it means exercising free will in service of higher principles, rather than fleeting impulses.

This connection between righteousness and freedom extends to independence as well. True independence is not isolation or rebelliousness against every authority, but the capacity to act responsibly, unaffected by coercive influences, be they social pressure, temptation, or fear. When a person chooses rightly, their actions are self-determined, grounded in thoughtful deliberation rather than compulsion or conformity. Such individuals become leaders in their own lives, not captives to circumstance.

On a societal level, communities and nations that are governed by principles of justice, integrity, and respect for what is right foster greater collective freedom and independence. Laws, customs, and systems that reflect moral truths encourage citizens to exercise self-control, mutual respect, and voluntary cooperation, qualities essential for enduring liberty.

Freedom, then, is not found in abandoning standards or resisting all constraints, but in embracing and internalizing what is right. Through such commitment, one experiences the deepest sense of independence, liberated from external tyranny and inner chaos, able to build a life and society characterized by lasting peace, strength, and genuine autonomy.