Essay #2

What about the U.S. Constitution was inspired?

“After two centuries, every nation in the world except six have adopted written constitutions, and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them. No wonder modern revelation says that God established the U.S. Constitution and that it ‘should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.’” (D&C 101:77.) They say that it was a miracle that they could draft and ratify the Constitution. They never thought that it would pass. But with Gods help and their faith, they were able to pass the U.S. Constitution.

There are five different reasons why the U.S. Constitution was inspired: Separation of Powers, A Written Bill of Rights, Division of Powers, Popular Sovereignty, and the Rule of Law and not of Men. Because of these reasons, the government had just reasons to start he constitution. George Washington was one of the first to say that the constitution was a miracle. “It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states  (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners. Circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national government, so little liable to well-founded objections.” (George Washington).

The separation of powers is a political doctrine originating from the United States Constitution. It helped the legislative, executive, and judicial branches from abusing their powers. Each state wanted their individual government and laws.  So they created the Separation of Powers.

The written bill of rights allows free exercise of religion. It also created a speedy trial by impartial jury, and guarantee that a person will not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “Reason necessity, tradition, and religious conviction all lead me to accept the divine origin of these rights.”

The U.S. Constitution also inspired the division of powers. Which divides government powers between the nation and the various states. The division of powers assigns certain powers to the national government and other powers to the states.

“That every man may act … 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. “Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. “And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land.” (D&C 101:78–80.)  All men have free agency, but consequences come along with that agency. Men are responsible for themselves, and their family, but no one else.

The rule of law states that no man is above the law. All men must abide with the laws or will be punished. There are some cases of expectations when it comes to leaders in the United States. President J. Reuben Clark said, “Our allegiance run[s] to the Constitution and to the principles which it embodies, and not to individuals.” We are all equals according the constitution, declaration of independence, and to God.

How is it that the U.S. Constitution was inspired?

“It is as a result of these events that we are able to meet today in peace as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should all be eternally grateful.” (Ezra Taft Benson). Because if the decisions our leaders made long ago, we are able to have freedom of speech and religion. And I know that because of this, I am leaving a blessed life and for that I am eternally grateful. “I desire, therefore, to speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the Lord said, “belongs to all mankind” (D&C 98:5). Every man on earth was meant to have free agency for themselves and their families. But not too long ago, some people were not allowed to choose for themselves and were forced to have owners or a strict government and leaders. But God meant for everyone to have agency. And soon enough, we created the Constitution and were able to live in a free country. Therefore, it is now illegal to take away our natural rights, Life, Liberty, and Property (The Pursuit of Happiness).  

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Ezra Taft Benson). We should all have trust in God because He has done these things for us. He put the founding fathers on this earth at the right time to be able to create these laws. And for that, we should all be thankful. God knows when things need to become known to man on earth, He has everything planned, and made out for us. He knew that if we fought hard enough for our own constitution and had faith in him, then one day it would happen.

The Founding fathers were humble and had faith which led to inspiration from God. They had a firm belief in God and knew He wouldn’t let them down. They knew we, as a people, had the right to ratify the constitution.  “The Lord knoweth all things from the beginning,” said Nephi, “wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Ne. 9:6). This is enough proof to me that God has molded us and prepared us to fight for what we believe in. The constitution was given to us at the right moment and time, and only God knows why then in the 1700’s that it was the right time for the constitution to come forth unto man.