Constitution of This Land

 

 

(Talk delivered to the Manzanita Ward, Payson, Az by Darrel Fuller, June 30, 2024)

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters. Donna mentioned that we have lived in different parts of the country. This has made me realize a great blessing of the church. No matter where you go, you have friends. I hardly know any of you, but today I am very happy to be amongst friends.

Thursday, our nation will celebrate 248 years of independence.  This brings to mind a scripture in the Doctrine Covenants, Section 101, verse 80. 

    “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…”

I’d like to make this verse the focus of my remarks today.  And ancillary to it, I site two conference talks.  The most recent in April 2021 by Dallin H. Oaks entitled, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution.  And the other by Ezra Taft Benson in April 1976, The Constitution—A Glorious Standard.

Had you asked me as a youth if I appreciated the founding of our nation, I might have simply reflected on Fourth of July parades and fireworks.  But a transformation occurred when I served a mission in the State of Virginia.  While there, I was exposed to the state’s rich history. It is home to our nation’s first permanent settlement of Jamestown. It was home to perhaps the foremost of our nation’s founders of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.  It figured prominently in the Civil war.

In my very first area, Hopewell Virginia, I got acquainted with a brother in the ward. This guy was a patriot, a true lover of our country. It was hard to talk with him without the conversation drifting patriotic. To say he admired our founding fathers is an understatement.  He revered them. He took offense at a movement at the time, one that continues to this day, of what he called “defaming” our Founding Fathers.  This brother loved the constitution and kept a copy tucked inside the pocket of his scripture covers.  He explained that the document was inspired of God, so he esteemed it to be scripture, just like the rest of the standard works.  I liked that idea, so I got a copy of the constitution and began carrying it in my scriptures.

I served in Virginia in 1976, the bicentennial of our nation. I was witness to celebrations and emphasis put on our nation’s founding. The United States Treasury released a commemorative $2 bill, in observance of this 200^th anniversary.  I received one as change at the grocery store.  On the face side was Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence.  On the reverse was a picture of the signers. It was there that I wrote in ink, “D&C 101:80, for for this cause…”   I carried that bill in my wallet for many years and I still have it to this day.

When my two years were up and it was time to go home, myself and other departing missionaries flew from our mission headquarters in Roanoke to Washington, DC.  There was a LDS family there who loved missionaries.  They gave us accommodations for the night. We were able to go to the DC temple.  And afterwards, a brother gave us a tour of Washington, DC. He dropped us off at various locations and waited in the car while we ran to the Washington monument and then the Lincoln memorial.  They were impressive. They were wonderful.  And then he dropped us off at the Jefferson Memorial. The moment I stepped inside the rotunda, I felt something special. I got goose bumps. I was moved.  Some describe the memorial as a “temple” dedicated to Jefferson the man.  But I believe the real power of that memorial comes not from the man, but the principles he espoused. 

In the rotunda, I read, “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." 

In the Southwest Portico, I read, “"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

In the Northwest Portico was inscribed, “Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the holy Author of our religion.” 

And in the Northeast Portico was a quote that seems particularly applicable to our day when faith in God is on the sharp decline. “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

These were inspired words. They left no doubt that Jefferson was included when the Lord said, “…by the hands of wise men whom I raised up…”

Among others that the Lord raised up were 56 Signers of the declaration of Independence. When they signed, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.  There is some debate over the historical accuracy of these numbers, but it has been reported that five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. And nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. 

Following the Revolutionary War, the country wasn’t exactly united.  The colonies were more like 13 sovereign nations, each looking out for its own interests. The common bond between them was a very inadequate Articles of Confederation. What we now call the Constitutional Convention, started out simply as an effort to revise the articles.  But our Father in Heaven and James Madison had other plans. We now know that this effort was divinely inspired, but at the time there was scanty evidence.  Delegates met throughout the sweltering summer of 1887. To keep the discussion confined to individuals and not newspapers, they kept the shutters closed. East Coast temperatures don’t compare with Arizona temps, but when stifling humidity is included, conditions were absolutely miserable.

I recall a BYU history professor mentioning that one delegate proposed prayer, but it was never offered. But other sources I’ve read indicate that prayer was offered. Perhaps that point is up for debate. But what isn’t up for debate is that the discussion was sometimes heated. Delegates discussed God-given rights, separation of power, checks and balances and more.  In the end, a divinely inspired document resulted. It was ratified in September of 1787.

I’m fascinated by the Lord’s method in bringing the Constitution into existence. Our Founding Fathers were flawed men, as we all are. Some were slave holders. I’m somewhat partial to Thomas Jefferson, but as I’ve studied his life, I admit to some disappointment.  DNA evidence is inconclusive, but indicates  he may of had an illicit relationship with Sally Hemmings.  I hope it’s not true, but whether it is or is not, the Lord clearly used the man to further his purposes.

There is a lesson to be learned from this.  We all have feelings of inadequacy. We all fall short.  And despite this, the Lord uses imperfect individuals to further his causes and his kingdom.

It’s a fair question to ask, were the Founding Fathers good men?  Wilford Woodruff thought so. In 1877, an apostle at the time but also serving as the president of the St. George temple, he had an amazing experience.  “Before I left St. George, the spirits of the [Founding Fathers] 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.’”

Years later President Woodruff reflected on his experience in General Conference. “Those men who laid the foundation of this American government and signed the Declaration of Independence were the best spirits the God of heaven could find on the face of the earth. They were choice spirits, not wicked men. General Washington and all the men that labored for the purpose were inspired of the Lord…”

“Everyone of those men that signed the Declaration of Independence, with General Washington, called upon me, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple at St. George, two consecutive nights, and demanded at my hands that I should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the House of God for them. (Conference Report, April 1898)

What other evidence  indicates these were good men? Let’s read a few quotes.

Benjamin Franklin: “The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth. That God Governs in the Affairs of Men!—And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?”

James Madison: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.”

Charles Pinckney: “When the great work was done and published, I was . . . struck with amazement. Nothing less than that superintending hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war, . . . could have brought it about so complete, upon the whole.” (Essays on the Constitution, 1892)

One last comment on the constitution, it not only changed our country, it changed the world. When it was established, the concept of inalienable God-given rights, separation of power, government of the people, by the people, for the people were uncommon concepts.  Governments of the day were most often monarchies. Laws were dictated, not passed. Now there are more than 200 nations with “constitutions”.  These nations, some of which were formerly under the rule of the British empire, when it came time to exercise their freedom, looked to the United States constitution as a guide.  Again, this document, which came about in the contentious, hot and sweaty confines of Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, changed the world.

This miraculous feat was recognized much more in generations past.  Today, with faith in God diminishing amongst the masses, it goes unrecognized by many.

In April Conference a year ago, President Nelson said, “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”  He was addressing individuals, but his admonition applies to nations as well.  Most often the solution to our country's problems are sought in congressional committees, new policies, new laws, new spending bills.  In reality, the solution to every problem our country faces is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The answer is always Jesus.

With all due respect to George Washington, I declare that the Savior is the father of our country and the constitution which governs its affairs. I pray that our nation will turn to Him once again.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.