Current Lessons
Lesson No. Forty-Two

Thoughts on “The Constitution, A Heavenly Banner” - Constitution Day 2024

In March 1839, while unjustly suffering in the Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith wrote “The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; and is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner.” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution a Heavenly Banner, Deseret Book, p. 16; see also BYU Speeches, September 16, 1986; hereinafter Heavenly Banner).

Constitution Day – September 17 – The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 making it 237 years old. Most Americans do not understand the importance of the Constitution. This includes members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We should annually recognize and celebrate this day because protecting the foundational intent and purpose of the Constitution is key to the future happiness and stability of our country.

The Lord brought forth the scriptures and He established the Constitution by the hands of wise men – “I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80). “These were not ordinary men, but men chosen and held in reserve by the Lord for this very purpose” (Heavenly Banner, p.11). This is further shown by the experience Wilford Woodruff had in the St George Temple. (See Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism Lesson 8, Columbus and the Founders in the St George Temple)

Those who believe the Constitution was divinely inspired must believe in Originalism – Originalism is a theory of constitutional interpretation that states that the Constitution's meaning is fixed and should be interpreted as it was understood at the time of its adoption. Originalism is opposite of the belief that the Constitution should evolve over time to match changing values and circumstances. The Lord and His teachings, including the meaning of the Constitution, do not change. The contest between absolute and relative truth is similar to the current and important contest between a fixed or an evolving Constitution. The idea of an evolving Constitution is a great threat to freedom, and we should be prepared to stand and oppose it.

For many years living prophets of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stressed the importance of the Constitution and preserving our freedom – The most recent example is President Dallin H. Oaks’ sermon entitled Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, given at April 2021 General Conference. This inspired sermon should be closely studied by people everywhere who are concerned about the worldwide erosion of freedom. This especially applies to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Like the Founders, the Lord has prepared President Oaks who has unique qualifications to understand the importance of the Constitution and how the Lord designed it to preserve our freedom. President Oaks explained his qualifications: “I speak for the United States Constitution, which I have studied for more than 60 years. I speak from my experience as a law clerk to the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. I speak from my 15 years as a professor of law and my 3½ years as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Most important, I speak from 37 years as an Apostle of Jesus Christ, responsible to study the meaning of the divinely inspired United States Constitution to the work of His restored Church” (Ibid, emphasis added).

President Oaks concluded: “Fifth and finally, I see divine inspiration in the vital purpose of the entire Constitution. We are to be governed by law and not by individuals, and our loyalty is to the Constitution and its principles and processes, not to any office holder. In this way, all persons are to be equal before the law. These principles block the autocratic ambitions that have corrupted democracy in some countries. They also mean that none of the three branches of government should be dominant over the others or prevent the others from performing their proper constitutional functions to check one another” (Ibid). An example of what President Oaks is referring to is that there is currently a significant movement in the Legislative and Executive Branches to destroy the independence of the Judicial Branch.

As President Oaks emphasized, our loyalty is to the Constitution and not to individuals – This should be a primary consideration when deciding who and what to vote. We should study the issues and the candidates and seek inspiration from heaven. Then we vote according to the inspiration we receive and consistent with the principles given by the Lord to His prophets.

Is the Constitution now on the brink of ruin? President Benson wrote: “We are fast approaching the moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said: ‘Even this nation will be on the verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the Constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction’” (Heavenly Banner, p. 27-28). If we compare the state of affairs now to how things were in 1986, when President Benson wrote and when Ronald Reagan was President, or to 1989 when the Berlin wall came down, or to 1991 when the Soviet Union began to dissolve, we can see that the moment prophesied by Joseph Smith is much closer.

President Benson gave four requirements for those who will save the Constitution from destruction – 1) We must be righteous and moral; 2) We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts; 3) We must be involved in civic affairs; 4) We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice. (See Heavenly Banner p. 28-30).

I add my testimony to the concluding words of President Benson: “I have faith the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church – men and women who will subscribe to and abide by the principles of the Constitution” (Heavenly Banner, p. 30).

Released on September 17th. 2024.