Monday, December 17, 2007

Constitution an Inspired Document

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.
Doctrine and Covenants 101:80
The scriptures make clear the the Lord had a hand, a large one, in the establishment of America and the foundation of its law. Though the constitution was not perfect, and was still a political compromise (slavery being one of its chief flaws), nevertheless the type of government set up was such that not many years later his church could be established in New York.

J. Reuben Clark said:
The statement of the Lord, "I have established the Constitution" puts it in the position in which it would be if it were written in this D&C itself. This makes the constitution the WORD OF THE LORD to us.
Conference Report, April 1935
I agree with this view, especially as applies to how Mormons must think about political things. Obviously, the Constitution has a mechanism for amendment and change, which puts it in a little bit different realm than scripture, but for the foundation principles of government the constitution lays out, we should take more of our guidance from the constitution.

Have you recently read what the constitution actually says, not what lawyers or reporters or politicians say about it? We shouldn't need courts and lawyers to filter the meaning to us. It is written plainly, so that all may understand.

Lesson #1 in the school of Liberty:

Read the Constitution

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