M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Latter-day Saints and the Constitution
by
The Constitutional Freedom Foundation
Brigham Young:
“Will the Constitution be destroyed? No; it will be held inviolate by this people; and, as Joseph Smith said, ‘the time will come when the destiny of the nation will hang upon a single thread. At this critical juncture, this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It will be so.” (Journal of Discourses 7:15 (1854))
Ezra Taft Benson:
“In connection with the attack on the United States, the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith there would be an attempt to overthrow the country by destroying the Constitution. Joseph Smith predicted that the time would come when the Constitution would hang as it were by a thread, and at that time, ‘this people will step forth and save it from the threatened destruction.’ It is my conviction that the Elders of Israel, widely spread over the nation, will, at that crucial time, successfully rally the righteous of our country and provide the necessary balance of strength to save the institutions of Constitutional government. Now is the time to get ready.” (Conference Reports-10/61:70)
That quote by Joseph Smith is very famous among Mormons, but it begs an obvious question: how would it be possible for us to save or preserve a Constitution about which we know nothing? The answer is equally obvious.
How will we learn about it? It cannot be preached in church lest some complain that we are injecting politics into our religious services. We cannot talk about it in school lest we be accused of violating the separation of church and state. So where is the appropriate forum for discussion and education? We think Meridian Magazine is a wonderful forum for this purpose.
Through a series of articles, we at the Constitutional Freedom Foundation would like to serve an educational function and discuss some basic constitutional principles. This article is the first of that series.
Our foundation is simply a group of concerned citizens who see the need to educate the public on constitutional issues of vital public concern. While we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we in no way represent the church in any official capacity. Nor are we affiliated with Meridian Magazine. Our opinions are our own and we take sole responsibility for them. We see a critical need for members of the church, and everyone else, to seriously think about various constitutional issues and want to seize the opportunity to start a dialog on these matters.
Modern Revelation
Perhaps the best place to start in this first article would be to consider what the Lord and the brethren have said over the years regarding our obligations as members to become involved politically and what our church thinks about the U.S. Constitution.
D&C 98:5-6
5. And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land.
D&C 101:77 & 80
77. ....I have suffered [the Constitution] to be established and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.
80. ...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.”
D&C 134:1
1. We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
President John Taylor declared that the Elders of Israel should “begin to understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political interests of man, and to learn and to be able to teach that which would be best calculated to promote the interests of the world.” (Journal of Discourses 9:340 (1862))
“It is the duty of a Saint of God to gain all the influence he can on this earth, and to use every particle of that influence to do good.” (President Brigham Young, 1867, Journal of Discourses 12:18)
“Let every loyal member of the Church look down with scorn upon any man or woman who would undermine [the] Constitution.” (President David O. McKay, Church News 5/29/54) (PPNS p. 90)
“I counsel you, I urge you, I plead with you, never, so far as you have voice or influence, permit any departure from the principles of governments on which this nation was founded, or any disregard of the freedoms which, by the inspiration of God our Father, were written into the Constitution of the United States.” (President Heber J. Grant, Conference Reports-10/44:12)
“Next to being one in worshiping God, there is nothing in this world upon which this Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States!” (President David O. McKay, 1956, Instructor Magazine 91:34)
So we clearly have responsibilities regarding these matters and if we do not meet them properly,
then we will fulfill the prediction made long ago by Edmund Burke when he warned:
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke, Richard L. Evans Quotebook, p.88)
Stay tuned for the next installment.
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