God Established The Constitution
Joseph Smith
The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard. It is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner: it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of its liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun . .
(Founded in the Wisdom of God, Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, April 1950, pages 153-159)
We say that God is true; that the Constitution of the United States is true; that the Bible is true; that the Book of Mormon is true; that the Book of Covenants is true; and that Christ is true.
(Founded in the Wisdom of God, Joseph Fielding Smith, Conference Report, April 1950, pages 153-159)
Brigham Young
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.
(The Life of Brigham Young, Edward H Anderson, pages 67-68)
We consider that the men in the Revolution were inspired, by the Almighty, to throw off the shackles of the mother government, with her established religion. For this cause were Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, and a host of others inspired to deeds of resistance to the acts of the King of Great Britain, who might also have been led to those aggressive acts, for aught we know, to bring to pass the purposes of God, in thus establishing a new government upon a principle of greater freedom, a basis of self-government allowing the free exercise of religious worship. It was the voice of the Lord inspiring all those worthy men who bore influence in those trying times, not only to go forth in battle, but to exercise wisdom in council, fortitude, courage, and endurance in the tented field, as well as subsequently to form and adopt those wise and efficient measures which secured to themselves and succeeding generations, the blessing of a free and independent government. This government, so formed, has been blessed by the Almighty until she spreads her sails in every sea, and her power is felt in every land.
(The Constitution and Government of the United States, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, Pages 169-170)
John Taylor
We believe that our fathers were inspired to write the Constitution of the United States, and that it is an instrument, full, lucid, and comprehensive; that it was dictated by a wise and foreseeing policy, and does honor to the heads and hearts of its framers; that it is the great bulwark of American liberty; and that the strict and implicit observance of which is the only safeguard of this mighty nation. We therefore rest ourselves under its ample folds.
(John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, Pages 309–10)
It was through and by the power of God, that the fathers of this country framed the Declaration of Independence, and also that great palladium of human rights, the Constitution of the United States.
(Patriotic Utterances of Our Presidents, The Young Women’s Journal, 1917, Volume 28, Page 712)
Wilford Woodruff
The Lord inspired the men that framed the Constitution of our country, and has guarded the nation from its foundation, in order to prepare free people in which to establish his kingdom. Columbus was inspired of God to persevere as he did to discover this continent, and thus prepare the way for a class of people upon whom the Spirit of the Lord moved to follow; and when they were oppressed hard enough they declared themselves independent, and by the help of God they established and have maintained the government which God gave our forefathers, which is one of the best constitutional governments ever known among men.
(Wilford Woodruff, Journal of Discourses, Volume 23, Page 81)
We say to our nation—maintain the Constitution and we are satisfied. Give us the rights of that Constitution and we are satisfied. It is an instrument inspired by the power of God. Our forefathers were inspired when they framed it.
(Wilford Woodruff, Journal of Discourses, Volume 25, Pages 210-211)
Lorenzo Snow
We trace the hand of the Almighty in framing the constitution of our land, and believe that the Lord raised up men purposely for the accomplishment of this object, raised them up and inspired them to frame the constitution of the United States.
(Lorenzo Snow, Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, Page 301)
We look upon George Washington, the father of our country, as an inspired instrument of the Almighty; we can see the all-inspiring Spirit operating upon him. And upon his co-workers in resisting oppression, and in establishing the thirteen colonies as a confederacy; and then again the workings of the same Spirit upon those men who established the constitution of the United States. In a revelation contained in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants the Lord says: “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.” We see the hand of the Lord in these things.
(Lorenzo Snow, Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, Page 304)
Joseph F. Smith
It was part of the design of the Almighty when he influenced the fathers to leave the old world and come to this continent. He had a hand in the establishment of this government. He inspired the framers of the Constitution and the fathers of this nation to contend for their liberty.
(Patriotic Utterances of Our Presidents, The Young Women’s Journal, 1917, Volume 28, Page 712)
I believe that the Constitution of the United States was and still is an inspired instrument. The Lord God Almighty inspired the minds that framed it, and I believe it ought to be most sacredly preserved. It is worthy of the defense and should be upheld by all the people of our land.
(Joseph F. Smith, Conference Report, April 1918, Page 5)
Heber J. Grant
All Latter-day Saints believe absolutely that the Constitution of our Country was inspired of God, and that he used wise men, noble men, as instruments in his hands for establishing that Constitution.
(Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1927, Page 5)
The “Mormons” have taught, from the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that the men who wrote the Constitution were raised up by God, and that it was adopted by inspired men. We believe in the inspiration of the living God in the forming of our government.
(Heber J. Grant, The Deseret News, Feb 18, 1928, Section 3, Page V)
George Albert Smith
It is pleasing indeed, to me, that the Lord not only inspired men to prepare the Constitution but that he made record of the fact that he did raise them up for that purpose. In that particular we are peculiar as a people, for we believe that the Constitution was inspired by our heavenly Father. It is marvelous to contemplate what has occurred since that day . . . when wise men and great men gathered together and counseled with each other to bring about the document that is said to be the greatest palladium of human rights that the world has ever seen.
(Journal History of the Church, September 15 1918, Page 4)
Those men who framed the Constitution of the United States were not only wise in the things of this world, but they were inspired by our Heavenly Father who raised them up for that very purpose.
(George Albert Smith, Conference Report, October 1928, Page 92)
David O. McKay
It is a part of our “Mormon” theology that the Constitution of the United States was divinely inspired; that our Republic came into existence through wise men raised up for that very purpose.
(Letter to the BYU Faculty)
There are some fundamental principles of this Republic which, like eternal truths, never get out of date, and which are applicable at all times to liberty-loving peoples. Such are the underlying principles of the Constitution, a document framed by patriotic, freedom-loving men, who Latter-day Saints declare were inspired by the Lord.
(David O. McKay, Conference Report, October 1940, Page 104)
Joseph Fielding Smith
From the very beginning of this latter-day work we have been taught that the Constitution of the United States was and still is an inspired document. Such it was when it came forth from the hands of the framers.
(The Progress of Man, Page 299)
No nation has been more greatly blessed that has the United States. We live in a land which has been called choice above all other lands by divine pronouncement. The Lord has watched over it with a jealous care…Our government came into existence through divine guidance. The inspiration of the Lord rested upon the patriots who established it, and inspired them through the dark days of their struggle for independence and through the critical period which followed that struggle when they framed our glorious Constitution…
(Conference Report, April 1943, Page 11)
Harold B. Lee
I would that all men could believe in the destiny of America as did the early pioneers: that it is the land of Zion; that the founders of this nation were men of inspired vision; that the Constitution as written by the inspiration of heaven must be preserved at all costs.
(Ye are the Light of the World, Page 181–82)
Youth must never forget that this the government of the United States was established “According to the laws and constitution of the people, which (God) has suffered to be established. . . . That every man may act in doctrine and principle . . . according to the moral agency which (God) has given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.” It was to accomplish this lofty purpose basic to all liberty that God “established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise men whom (he) raised up unto this very purpose.” (D&C 101:77–80.) Contained within the principles of that great heaven-inspired document is the message of this Church to the world in this fateful hour. Except the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and principles contained within the Constitution of the United States are inherent in world plans now being formulated, they are but building on sand and the Lord is not in that building.
(Decisions for Successful Living, Page 217)
Spencer W. Kimball
We are grateful that thou didst cause this land to be rediscovered and settled by people who founded a great nation with an inspired constitution guaranteeing freedom in which there could come the glorious restoration of the gospel and the Church of thy Beloved Son.
(Dedicatory Prayer, Washington D.C. Temple, 19 November 1974)
The Pilgrims and other Europeans were inspired to find this American haven of refuge and thus people this land with honest and God-fearing citizens. Washington and his fellows were inspired to revolt from England and bring political liberty to this land, along with the more valuable treasure of religious liberty so that the soil might be prepared for the seed of the truth when it should again be sown.
(Absolute Truth, Ensign, September, 1978)
Ezra Taft Benson
I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of heaven selected and sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government as a prologue to the restoration of the gospel and the second coming of our Savior.
(The Constitution—A Glorious Standard, Ensign, April 1976)
It is a part of our faith that the Constitution of the United States was inspired of God. We reverence it akin to the revelations that have come from God.
(This Nation Shall Endure, Page 62)
We honor more than those who brought forth the Constitution. We honor the Lord who revealed it. God himself has borne witness to the fact that he is pleased with the final product of the work of these great patriots.
(Stand up for Freedom, Page 33)
Howard W. Hunter
We thank Thee for the freedom we enjoy in this blessed land. Grant that the freedom emanating from the inspired Constitution, which provides us the opportunity to erect this holy temple, may be strengthened in other lands.
(Bountiful Utah Temple Dedicatory Prayer, Ensign, March 1995)
The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most significant fact since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What was restored? In a very real sense, the true Law of the Harvest was restored – the law of justice, the law of mercy, the law of love. It was restored in a free country under the influence of a God-inspired Constitution which created a climate of freedom, opportunity and prosperity.
(The Law of the Harvest: As a Man Sows, So Shall He Reap, BYU Devotional, 1966)
Gordon B. Hinckley
A news magazine writer asked me the other day, during an interview, concerning my belief concerning the Constitution of our country. I replied that I felt it was inspired; that both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States were brought forth under the inspiration of God to establish and sustain the freedom of the people of this nation. I told him that I looked upon the Founding Fathers as men who believed in God, as men who prayed to God, as men who recognized God and wished to do His will. What a singular and remarkable group they were. As I look across the world today, I search in vain for such a group as walked together across the stage of history when this nation was born.
(Freedom Festival, Brigham Young University Marriott Center, Provo, Utah, 29 June 1997)
Just think of a moment of George Washington, of Franklin, of Madison, of the Adamses, of Thomas Jefferson, and their associates who signed the Declaration of Independence or participated in the Constitutional Convention. Where in all the world today can even one or two such men be found, let alone the great aggregation who participated in the birth of America? Can anyone deny that they were raised up unto this very purpose, that working together they brought forth on this continent an independent nation at the risk of their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor? It is my conviction, that while we’ve had a few great leaders since then, there has not been before or since so large a group of talented, able, and dedicated men as those whom we call the Founding Fathers of this nation. For as long as they lived they acknowledged the hand of the Almighty in the affairs of this republic.
(Freedom Festival, Brigham Young University Marriott Center, Provo, Utah, 29 June 1997)
Thomas S. Monson
In harmony with our belief that the U.S. Constitution is an inspired document and that America has a special mission, the Deseret News will defend and promote the principles of the Constitution and the great freedoms for which the nation stands.
(New Home for Pioneer Newspaper, Church News, May 31 1997)
The Constitution under which we live, and which has not only blessed us but has become a model for other institutions, is our God inspired national safeguard insuring freedom and liberty, justice and equality before the law.
(Celebrate America, Salt Lake Tabernacle, September 17 2002)
Russell M. Nelson
Today, we are ever grateful for the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the inspired Constitution of the United States of America. We are grateful for that Constitution and for the leaders of this great nation, past, present, and future.
(Dedicatory Prayer, Washington D.C. Temple, August 14 2022)