GOD, THE CONSTITUTION & THE FOUNDING FATHERS

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United Sates of America.”

Signed by, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, along with many other great and wise men, our nations “founding fathers.” This is The Constitution of the United States of America.

This Constitution and the men who signed it were called and inspired by God. If evidence shows that this is true, that the constitution and the founding fathers were called and inspired by God, then this fact should be known throughout the nation and those that reside within its boundaries should give the Constitution, the founding fathers, and God the utmost respect.

The men who wrote the constitution were Christian men. Due to this fact we know that the god that they relied on when the Constitution was created was the same god that other Christians believe in which is still the major religious belief in America. It is the god found in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, the father of Jesus Christ and the father of all the people of the earth.

How can anyone believe in any god and not defend this Constitution and this country? It is because of this constitution that we can worship what and how we choose. It allows us to exercise one of the greatest gifts of God to his children, agency.

Evidence will show that this great document, The Constitution of the United States of America is inspired of God. By taking god out of the Constitution would be the same as denying the signers of the Constitution. The relationship with god and the Constitution teaches that this is a choice land. Scriptures teach that whatever represents good and not evil, or agency and not restriction come from god. The same can be said for the Constitution. Is the right to freedom of speech or worship evil? It is not, it is good and these examples come from god.

We as a people must demand that this respect be taught and be understood by all those who live within this nations borders. If God’s hand is proven in the influence of the Constitution and in the lives of our founding fathers we must demand the need that the Constitution must be taught correctly in schools, that it is inspired of god. We need the Pledge of Allegiance back in schools and added to other organizations and events. Public education and our children need this strength. Without this knowledge and opportunity the suffering in our nation will continue.


Founding Fathers – Inspired and Called of God


President Wilford Woodruff of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “those men who laid the foundation of the American government were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits and were inspired of the Lord.”

“There has not been another such group of men in all [the 200 years of our history] that even challenged the supremacy of this group.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

What we need to understand is that God called and inspired these men. Their inspired works will not only help save this country but will also help us become not only more like our founding fathers but like our Heavenly Father. In order for this to happen we must chose to study the Constitution and the doctrines found within them. By doing so it will teach us how to keep and protect the God given rights which is the foundation of this great country.

All of these men, who signed the Constitution, claimed to be men of God and disciples of Jesus Christ and we should believe them. Most of them were very private about religion but were very open and vocal as to the importance of worshiping and honoring God. They also believed that each person should be able to worship God as his or her own conscience dictates if they so desire. Freedom of religion was one the things that mattered most to our founding fathers. They were very passionate about this freedom.

“No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever… but all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion.” Thomas Jefferson

“If this freedom be abused, it is an offense against God, not against men. To God, therefore, not to man, must an account be rendered.” James Madison

Our founding fathers were a God fearing people. They were not atheists as some historians may try to teach. They did nothing but give credit to our Heavenly Father for the creation of our Constitution.

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 101:80 – “After discussing agency the Lord states the following in this verse: And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.”

In the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 13:19 – After prophesying the beginning and the independence of our country it states: “And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.”
These men were all examples and went to church even though they may not have been a member of a specific religion. After studying some of these men it seems as though they were frustrated with what the current religions had to offer. The founding fathers were not the only men in history to be frustrated with organized religion while searching for the truth. Other examples in history show religious leaders like Martin Luther and Joseph Smith felt the same way. No wonder the founding fathers came to the St. George temple and visited with President Wilford Woodruff.

“Before I left St. George, the spirits of the dead gathered around me, wanting to know why we did not redeem them. Said they, ‘You have had the use of the Endowment House for a number of years, and yet nothing has ever been done for us. We laid the foundation of the government you now enjoy, and we never apostatized from it, but we remained true to it and were faithful to God.’”

“The temple work for the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence and other Founding Fathers has been done. President George Washington was ordained a high priest at that time as well as John Wesley, Benjamin Franklin, and Christopher Columbus.” President Wilford Woodruff.

To help establish some familiarity with the character of these men here are some of their words.

George Washington -

“The love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct.”

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man… It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned, but virtuous.”

Thomas Jefferson -

“There is only one God and he is all perfect, and to love God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as yourself is the sum of religion.”

James Madison -

“In this country is forever extinguished the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.”


The Constitution – Scripture


George Washington said in reference to the Constitution, “It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well-founded objections.”

James Madison who is known as the father of the Constitution said, “There never was an assembly of men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were more pure in their motives, or more exclusively or anxiously devoted to the object committed to them.” This defines section 101 verse 80 of the Doctrine and Covenants that was previously mentioned.

President Ezra Taft Benson who also was a member of the Eisenhower administration said, “Until 1791, no nation had all basic rights guaranteed and recognized by written contract. That is what the Constitution is – a contract between a sovereign people and their elected officials.”

“According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.” Doctrine and Covenants 101:77-78.

President George Albert Smith said: “The Constitution of the United States of America is just as much from my Heavenly Father as the Ten Commandments.”

“The United States Constitution has been in existence longer than any written constitution in history. It has been a blessing, not only to our land, but to the world as well. Many nations have wisely adopted concepts and provisions of our Constitution, just as was prophesied.” President Ezra Taft Benson


Agency – A Gift of God


Focus now on why our Father in Heaven created the Constitution and what it contains that makes it so important.

In Doctrine and Covenants 101:77-79 please pay attention to the references involving agency. “According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; that every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.”

As we can see the principles that are found in the Constitution are for all men. That we may live the gospel, that we may practice agency, that we may be held accountable, and that we not live in bondage. These principles are what we sustained and elected to follow while in the pre-earth life, agency and accountability.

President Ezra Taft Benson explains, “The scriptures tell us about the War in Heaven over free agency – similar to the war we are going through now, where the devils program was guaranteed security as opposed to the Lord’s program of letting each choose for himself even if he makes the wrong choice.”

We see examples of the devil’s program in some of the plans that our politicians offer to us. We must defend what we fought for in heaven. We must defend what our founding fathers lived to create at the hand of our God. Agency cannot be compromised. President Ezra Taft Benson said that if some have decided to change their votes from what it was in heaven then they should repent.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a modern day Apostle and past member of the Utah State Supreme Court said, “In other words, the most desirable condition for the effective exercise of God-given moral agency is a condition of maximum freedom and responsibility. In this condition men are accountable for their own sins and cannot blame their political conditions on their bondage to a king or a tyrant. This condition is achieved when the people are sovereign, as they are under the Constitution God established in the United States… Popular sovereignty necessarily implies popular responsibility. Instead of blaming their troubles on a king or other sovereign, all citizens must share the burdens and responsibilities of governing. “

The Book of Mormon in Mosiah 29:34 supports what Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated. “And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the burden should come upon all the people, that every man might bear his part.”

“The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time.” Thomas Jefferson.

We are responsible to do whatever it takes to maintain and protect 100% of the agency and liberty that God has given to us no matter the circumstance, no matter what is popular, no matter what is the social norm. If not we allow Satan’s plan to creep in and eventually take over.


Doctrines of the Constitution – Doctrines of God


To prevent an abuse of power which would lead to a loss of our agency the founding fathers created a Separation of Powers.

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. said, “It is this union of independence and dependence of the branches – legislative, executive, and judicial – and of the governmental functions possessed by each of them, that constitutes the marvelous genius of the unrivalled document… As I see it, it was here that the divine inspiration came. It was truly a miracle.”

“This principle of limited national powers, with all residuary powers reserved to the people or to the state and local governments, which are most responsive to the people, is one of the great fundamentals of the U.S. Constitution.” Elder Dallin H. Oaks.

In the Doctrine and Covenants section 134:2 please note the different rights or liberties that the Lord has empowered us with. It is very important that we preserve these in our government. “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.”

President Ezra Taft Benson stated: “Our Creator endowed each one of us with certain rights at birth, among which are the rights to life, liberty, speech, and conscience, to name a few. These are not just human rights; they are divine rights. When these rights are not permitted expression by a nation, that nation becomes inhibited in its progress and development, and its leaders are responsible before God for suffocation sacred rights.”

“If we do not understand the role of government and how our rights are protected by the Constitution, we may accept programs or organizations that help erode our freedoms. An informed citizenry is the first line of defense against anarchy and tyranny.”

“The separation of powers (the three branches of government) was created in order to protect these rights. This form of “checks and balances” was inspired by the Lord to help us maintain our rights, our agency.”

An example of how studying the Constitution helps one to understand the plan of God and how we need to conduct ourselves politically is found in verse 2 of section 134 of the Doctrine and Covenants where it mentions the “right to property.”

President Ezra Taft Benson taught that the earth was created for man’s blessing and benefit. With that being said, man naturally desires to own property, a home for his family, belongings, and his own business if he chooses. Utopian and communitarian programs eliminate property rights and not only that but they deny man the opportunity to fulfill his inherent desire to improve his station. This would be against the plan of happiness.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave the example of imagining there being no property rights. He said that example teaches that man would only have incentive to obtain food and clothing. There would be no contracts, which mean that nobody could own anything. We couldn’t recognize the laws of no stealing and no coveting. You cannot steal if everything belongs to everyone. The joys of creation, production, and ownership would all be lost. A free-market economy like ours recognizes property rights as being sacred. And because of that man can have possessions, he can do what he wants with them, and he can practice the law of charity.
President Ezra Taft Benson also said that charity would never be possible without property rights. “For one cannot give what one does not own.”

These rights that are given to us by living under this Constitution do not only allow us to be a member of any religion but it allows us to live and practice our religion to the fullest.

That is only one example from the Constitution of what may appear to be one simple right such as the right of possession but studied closely shows how it can be extremely valuable and enabling to the God given agency that this right promises. By studying it with gospel knowledge we see why it was critical for God to create the Constitution. It also teaches us how to vote, give advice, and represent what we believe in.

If someone feels that this shouldn’t be discussed in church, politics, or in education or that leaders such as the nation’s president or the prophet shouldn’t be commenting on such issues do to the separation of church and state there is no need to worry. The separation of church and state means that the state should not and will not enforce any form of religion nor become affiliated with one. This does not mean that this should not be discussed in church or state. But as one can see with what has been said our great leaders can and will say what needs to be said. Leaders of all kind have the responsibility to comment on basic issues in regards to America and its liberties. Prophets in the bible were stoned for preaching about these issues, I hope we don’t do the same now.


Our Responsibility – Befriending and Defending the Constitution


In the Doctrine and Covenants 98:6-7, notice how we are to befriend the constitution. Think of how we can befriend (and by doing so defend) the Constitution. “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land; and as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.”

“First, let’s do our homework, because action without the proper education can lead to fanaticism. But after we have done our homework, then let’s take action.” President Ezra Taft Benson.

President Ezra Taft Benson said, “Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?”

“Part of the reason we may not have sufficient priesthood bearers to save the Constitution, let alone to shake the powers of hell, is because unlike Moroni, I fear, our souls do not joy in keeping our country free, and we are not firm in the faith of Christ, nor have we sworn with an oath to defend our rights and the liberty of our country.” President Ezra Taft Benson.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Citizens should also be practitioners of civic virtue in their conduct toward government. They should be ever willing to fulfill the duties of citizenship. This includes compulsory duties like military service and the numerous voluntary actions they must take if they are to preserve the principle of limited government through citizen self-reliance. For example, since U.S. citizens value the right of trial by jury, they must be willing to serve on juries, even those involving unsavory subject matter. Citizens who favor morality cannot leave the enforcement of moral laws to jurors who oppose them…The single word that best describes a fulfillment of the duties of civic virtue is patriotism. Citizens should be patriotic.”
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

“Yes, I repeat, righteousness is an indispensable ingredient to liberty. Virtuous people elect wise and good representatives. Good representatives make good laws and then wisely administer them. This tends to preserve righteousness. An unvirtuous citizenry tend to elect representatives who will pander to their covetous lustings. The burden of self-government is a great responsibility. It calls for restraint, righteousness, responsibility, and reliance upon God.” President Ezra Taft Benson.

To befriend and defend the Constitution we must:

1. Be righteous, we must obey the commandments of God.
2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.
3. Involvement in civic affairs to provide proper representation.
4. Make our influence felt by vote, letters, teaching, and advice.

This is great patriotic counsel from President Ezra Taft Benson.

President Ezra Taft Benson made a very good point when he said, “For centuries our forefathers suffered and sacrificed that we might be the recipients of the blessings of freedom. If they were willing to sacrifice so much to establish us as a free people, should we not be willing to do the same to maintain that freedom for ourselves and for future generations?”

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free… it expects what never was and never will be.” Thomas Jefferson.

Our country will be saved by true disciples of God. Righteousness will be what preserves this nation until the Lord comes. This nation will not fall, its Constitution may “hang by a thread”, but it will survive until the Lord comes the second time.

We must understand who our Founding Fathers were and what they did for us. We cannot go on without appreciating the inspiration that God gave to them in creating our Constitution which paved the way for the restoration of his truths. We all need to study the Constitution and learn how God wants this country and our liberties protected. How can this not be done in our schools? We must bring back God and patriotism to our schools. We cannot have one without the other. We all must vote and vote in a way that will befriend and defend the Constitution. By following this counsel we will have a sufficient amount of righteous patriots to defend the Constitution. I am very grateful for a country that allows me the God-given agency that I fought for in heaven and that I came to this earth to practice so that I can become more like my Father in Heaven.