Tag Archives: Constitution

Constitutional Convention Convened

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On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention was convened. Subsequently, George Washington was unanimously elected its president.

The Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington stated:

The Convention (also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 14 to September 17.

Delegates gathered to correct the various problems that had arisen while the newly-independent nation was operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from Great Britain. The historic result of the Convention was the crafting of the United States Constitution.

In a day when so many people are ignoring or seeking to subvert the Constitution to meet the wishes of special interest groups or immoral motives, I am grateful to the founding fathers of the United States who courageously led the process of establishing the Constitution of the United States of America.

In a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, the Savior stated,

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. (Doctrine & Covenants 101:80)

May we be united in our commitment to uphold and abide by the Constitution.

Jon McNaughton: One Nation Under God

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The following YouTube video features artist Jon McNaughton speaking about his painting depicting his belief, which I share, that the Constitution of the United States was inspired by Jesus Christ.

The rich symbolism in the painting is explained via an informative interactive page on the McNaughton Art website:

image

From the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I quote the words of the Savior:

77 According to the laws and aconstitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the brights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;

78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral aagency which I have given unto him, that every man may be baccountable for his own sins in the day of cjudgment.

79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in abondage one to another.

80 And for this purpose have I established the aConstitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the bshedding of blood.

(D&C 101: 77-80)

John Taylor: The Genius of our Constitution

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“A great destiny lies before the United States. The question is, is she competent for the task? She has out ridden the fiery test of revolution, hurled defiance at a despot’s power, and grasped the sceptre of liberty with a nervous, powerful grip. She has, out of the chaotic, confused mass of material associated with corrupt governments, organized a system of government and framed a constitution that while it is honorable to its founders, guarantees to all to the fullest extent, "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite." … Liberty here is more than a name. Here man is free to speak, free to think, free to write, free to act, free to do good. The very genius of our Constitution and institutions is freedom.”

John Taylor, Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormon, Oct 6, 1855, 1:33; quoted in The Gospel Kingdom, p.312.

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John Adams: Constitution and Virtue

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"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."

John Adams, Second President of the United States.

George Washington: Future Guardians of Liberty

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“A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government.  In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important?  And what duty more pressing … than … communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country.”

George Washington, First President of the United States.  Quoted on National Center for Constitutional Studies website.

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ConSource: Constitutional Sources Project

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The Constitutional Sources Project (ConSource) was founded in 2005 to “facilitate research, increase understanding, and encourage discussion of the U.S. Constitution by creating and maintaining the first, free, fully-indexed, comprehensive online library of constitutional sources.”

The primary objective of this project is to:

“connect ‘We The People’ with the thoughts and ideas of the Framers. High-resolution original images give users the opportunity to see exactly what the readers of the late 1780’s saw. The advanced search capabilities of transcribed text, scholarly certification standards, and constitutional cross-referencing of each document ensure that everyone, from the sixth-grader to The Supreme Court Justice, has direct access to the ideas that helped forge a nation.”

The site includes a treasure trove of  source documents related to the Constitution.  For example, while browsing through the Federalist Papers, I found this bit of wisdom in The Federalist, No. II, written by John Jay, who became first Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court:

“This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous and alien sovereignties.”

I hope that our study of the Constitution will strengthen our union and the freedoms we enjoy.

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Brigham Young: The U.S. Constitution

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“I want to say to every man, the Constitution of the United States, as formed by our fathers, was dictated, was revealed, was put into their hearts by the Almighty, who sits enthroned in the midst of the heavens; although unknown to them, it was dictated by the revelations of Jesus Christ, and I tell you in the name of Jesus Christ, it is as good as I could ask for.”

Brigham Young, Second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and colonizer of the western United States.

Wilford Woodruff: Constitutional Liberty

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Wilford Woodruff“As far as constitutional liberty is concerned, I will say, the God of heaven has raised up our nation, as foretold by his prophets generations ago. He inspired Columbus, and moved upon him to cross the ocean in search of this continent. … It is also well known how our forefathers found a home and an asylum in this land from the hand of persecution, and how they planted here the tree of liberty and jealously guarded it from the attempt of the mother country to uproot and destroy it. The hand of God was in this; and it is through the intervention of his providence that we enjoy today the freest and most independent government the world ever saw.”

Wilford Woodruff, From The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, sel. G. Homer Durham, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946, 51:801, pp. 188-89.

Passion for Freedom

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I passionately and resolutely love the concept of personal freedom. One key facet of a personal mission statement I penned in the fall of 1995 is “Enhance personal freedom through global electronic communications.” This blog is a an effort to fulfill at least a part of that mission.

I believe that personal freedom is a gift from God, to be treasured, protected and celebrated. Freedom to act for ones self is at the center of the purpose of our purpose in mortal life. The freedom to think, speak, worship, travel and work to support my family is priceless to me.

Living in the United States of America is a wonderful blessing. I believe the constitution of the United States established by our founding fathers under the inspiration of God. Its principles are just as pertinent today as they were over 200 years ago when this document was first written to lay the foundation for our great nation.

I fear that powerful forces in the world more interested in power, fame and personal gain than personal liberty are seeking to take away the freedoms we enjoy. We must be watchful and diligent in defending the freedoms we enjoy.

Mesa, Arizona, USA