Is The Constitution The Word Of God?

[altersteve]

We're all aware of the great passage in Section 101 the Doctrine and Covenants, talking about the United States and about how the Lord inspired the Founding Fathers to establish the Constitution to protect the rights and freedoms of the people and to prepare the world for the Restoration, and how it praises the Founding Fathers as being "wise men whom [the Lord] raised up." Since the Constitution was inspired, does that make it the word of God, as in is it equal with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price? I wouldn't call scripture, since it's not canonized by the Church. But I've been thinking a lot about the Constitution lately and after reading and studying and I have no doubt that was written, in a sense, by God Himself. So does that make it in equal authority with our standard works?

Also, do you think the Declaration of Independence was inspired as well? I ask this because in my opinion it is, like the Constitution, one of the greatest documents ever written, and I have felt the Spirit very strongly while reading it. I believe it certainly was inspired by the Lord.

Thoughts?

Edited July 6, 2011 by altersteve

[BCSpace]

Sure, I would so consider them; personally since the Church has not incorporated them into the Standard Works. However, what would you say abouts amendments beyond the Bill of Rights? Some are pretty good, though not necessarily inspired. They do depend on a strict sequence of national ratification but when the population begins to choose evil........

[altersteve]

Yeah, by "Constitution," I mean the one spoken about in the Doctrine and Covenants, the amendments that were inspired by the Lord. Thank you for making that clarification for me.

[LeSellers]

I carry a copy of the Constitution in my scripture tote, along with Hymns.

By 1836, there were 12 amendments. One of the original articles (now article XXVII) of the Bill of Rights was not ratified until 1992, and is one of the most important (even though routinely ignored by bypassing voting on pay raises for legislators) of the amendments. It should be included in the Constitution as defined by the Lord in 101.

Lehi

Edited July 6, 2011 by LeSellers

[Jeff K.]

I see the Constitution as inspired by God, but not the word of God. There are things in the Constitution which were made by pragmatic men who needed to unite a nation of with both good and bad motivations. The Constitution which was agreed to before the Bill of Rights, made an extremely powerful government whose tyranny would have been in the election of a king rather than merely a President. Indeed that was a fear and one of the reasons George Washington was elected (he had no offspring). Thomas Paine declined to support it, as did Patrick Henry and more than a few others.

Among other things, its acknowledgement and tacit support of slavery and slave imports for another 20 years reflected a pragmatic and support of an economic system that enslaved many for the benefit of a nation. While views were different in those days, I remain ambivalent about many of these aspects.

Inspired? Definately, the first solid run at a form of government that met both national and local needs through a democratic process that avoided the rule of mob. It became a template for all governments in the future to help ensure limits. "The word of God"? I cannot say they are the word of God, but I can say this... Doctrine and Covenants 101 does show us what the US Constitution aspired to be...

76And again I say unto you, those who have been scattered by their enemies, it is my will that they should continue to importune for redress, and redemption, by the hands of those who are placed as rulers and are in authority over you—

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

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

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

80And 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 bshedding of blood.

In a sense it might be viewed as a prophecy as much as the establishment of inspiration. The Constitution was built with the ability to end slavery through a peaceful process by which bondage could be ended. The fact it was so rejected by much of the nation led to an "accounting" upon which the nations sins had to be paid through blood and toil. I am no fan of John Brown, but he was right, the nation would have to pay in blood to wean the US from its addiction to the bondage of a people for their own wealth.

[altersteve]

I think I agree with you, Jeff. I mean, I believe that the Qur'an is to an extent inspired and that Mohammed was an inspired teacher raised up by the Lord to fight against idolatry and other evil practices. But does that mean that the Qur'an is the word of God or that Mohammed was a prophet, at least with the definition that Latter-day Saints use? I wouldn't think so.

Good post.

[thesometimesaint]

altersteve:

I have no problem with The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution being "inspired" by God. But then I believe God inspires a lot of people. However that doesn't make it the "Word of God". IE. I believe Beethoven was inspired by God.

See Article of Faith #13: 13... If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

[Doctor Ninja]

I carry a copy of the Constitution in my scripture tote, along with Hymns.

By 1836, there were 12 amendments. One of the original articles (now article XXVII) of the Bill of Rights was not ratified until 1992, and is one of the most important (even though routinely ignored by bypassing voting on pay raises for legislators) of the amendments. It should be included in the Constitution as defined by the Lord in 101.

Lehi

Great idea!

I have a small copy that will be going in with my scriptures!

[LeSellers]

I have a small copy [of the Constitution] that will be going in with my scriptures!

I take my scriptures with me whenever I travel even camping. I cannot say that I use the Constitution every time I'm carrying my scriptures, but it is there if I need to refer to it for any reason whatsoever, and I have dug it out at Church and at my in-laws' house.

But, for me, the real reason I carry it in the tote is because I believe it belongs there.

Lehi

Edited July 6, 2011 by LeSellers

[altersteve]

I love that idea, Lehi. I'm going to get me a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration and put them in mine as well. I will be giving a talk in sacrament meeting on Sunday on American and patriotism (I know I should have done it last Sunday since it was the Fourth and all, but I was out of town). Having a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration handy will be nice so that I can quote from it.

[thesometimesaint]

altersteve:

Inspired; Yes. God dictated: No.

There is nothing the writings of the Founding Fathers that says that it was God dictated, and plenty that it wasn't.

In his letter to the United Baptist Churches of Virginia in 1789, Washington wrote, "I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience." Washington also misspoke when he blessed Article 11 of the 1797 treaty he negotiated(Treaty of Tripoli) (and John Adams signed) with the Barbary pirates

[LeSellers]

I'm going to get me a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration and put them in [my scripture tote].

I hope this marks the beginning of a major trend.

More power to you.

Lehi

[Messenger]

Inspired? YES! Exactly what was needed to bring Freedom of Religion to the people, and allow our church to take hold, even in the darkest days of our nation.

[Scott Lloyd]

We're all aware of the great passage in Section 101 the Doctrine and Covenants, talking about the United States and about how the Lord inspired the Founding Fathers to establish the Constitution to protect the rights and freedoms of the people and to prepare the world for the Restoration, and how it praises the Founding Fathers as being "wise men whom [the Lord] raised up." Since the Constitution was inspired, does that make it the word of God, as in is it equal with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price? I wouldn't call scripture, since it's not canonized by the Church. But I've been thinking a lot about the Constitution lately and after reading and studying and I have no doubt that was written, in a sense, by God Himself. So does that make it in equal authority with our standard works?

Also, do you think the Declaration of Independence was inspired as well? I ask this because in my opinion it is, like the Constitution, one of the greatest documents ever written, and I have felt the Spirit very strongly while reading it. I believe it certainly was inspired by the Lord.

Thoughts?

The scriptural passages to which you allude speak for themselves. To the extent that the Constitution and other foundational documents support the principle of moral agency for the human family (which they do), they are endorsed by God. That does not mean that each and every word is to be regarded as scripture. I would be uncomfortable claiming a divine imprimatur for the amendment repealing prohibition, for example.

[CV75]

We're all aware of the great passage in Section 101 the Doctrine and Covenants, talking about the United States and about how the Lord inspired the Founding Fathers to establish the Constitution to protect the rights and freedoms of the people and to prepare the world for the Restoration, and how it praises the Founding Fathers as being "wise men whom [the Lord] raised up." Since the Constitution was inspired, does that make it the word of God, as in is it equal with the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price? I wouldn't call scripture, since it's not canonized by the Church. But I've been thinking a lot about the Constitution lately and after reading and studying and I have no doubt that was written, in a sense, by God Himself. So does that make it in equal authority with our standard works?

Also, do you think the Declaration of Independence was inspired as well? I ask this because in my opinion it is, like the Constitution, one of the greatest documents ever written, and I have felt the Spirit very strongly while reading it. I believe it certainly was inspired by the Lord.

Thoughts?

Both were certainly inspired, but being scripture, no, only because that is reserved for that which is conveyed by those who have been ordained unto the apostolic mission (D&C 68:1-4). But if there were scripture that provided for a constitution, I imagine it would sound very similar to the U.S. Constitution.

[Palerider]

I think numerous people even at the time the founding documents were crafted believed the hand of Providence was with the writers. I also think they are the most inspired documents written since the closing of the biblical canon and have had a more spiritual and Godly effect on the world than anything else save the Bible itself.

Edited July 7, 2011 by Palerider

[frankenstein]

Inspired Yes. Did the founders get inspiration that they and everyone else should be free, I believe they did. Did God inspire those same founders to continue the subjugation of kidnapped Africans? No I do not.

Inspired to get the ball rolling, is how I see God's influence.

Edited July 7, 2011 by frankenstein