LDS Freedom Forum

I was recently asked “what you believe we actually can or should be doing to uphold the Constitution at this point.”

I am still of the opinion that the prophetic statements about the United States Constitution being saved will not come to reality until after the cleansing of America, when, I believe, those who survive will do whatever it will take to restore the principles of the Constitution to government. However, I do believe that we should endeavour to help prepare those “elders of Israel” who, according to prophecy attributed to the Prophet Joseph Smith and referred to by several subsequent latter-day prophets, will eventually save the U.S. Constitution. Therefore I offer this first suggestion. Others will follow.

My first suggestion is that we obey what I consider a commandment given to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by then President Ezra Taft Benson in the October 1987 Church General Conference. That commandment can be found in President Benson’s address “Our Divine Constitution”, which can be read at
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/ ... n?lang=eng
“The Lord said, “Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land” (D&C 98:6).
How then can we best befriend the Constitution in this critical hour and secure the blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in Heaven?
First and foremost, we must be righteous.
John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (The Works of John Adams, ed. C. F. Adams, Boston: Little, Brown Co., 1851, 4:31). If the Constitution is to have continuance, this American nation, and especially the Latter-day Saints, must be virtuous.
The Book of Mormon warns us relative to our living in this free land: “Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever” (2 Ne. 1:7).
“And now,” warned Moroni, “we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fulness of his wrath cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity” (Ether 2:9).
Two great American Christian civilizations—the Jaredites and the Nephites—were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12). What will become of our civilization?
Second, we must learn the principles of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers.
Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?
As Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be” (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 Jan. 1816).
Third, we must become involved in civic affairs to see that we are properly represented.
The Lord said that “he holds men accountable for their acts in relation” to governments “both in making laws and administering them” (D&C 134:1). We must follow this counsel from the Lord: “Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil” (D&C 98:10).
Note the qualities that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.
Fourth, we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice.
We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “It is our duty to concentrate all our influence to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound. ‘Tis right, politically, for a man who has influence to use it. … From henceforth I will maintain all the influence I can get” (History of the Church, 5:286).
I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. It will be saved by the righteous citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church—among others—men and women who understand and abide the principles of the Constitution.”

The word "must" makes these action items commandments to me.

Good question and good topic. I got a bit obsessed with the Constitution and how important this document was to the early Church and our charge to uphold it from about 2010 to 2014 or so.

I think you are spot on to 1) read and understand it, and 2) recognize constitutional and unconstitutional behavior by our Government and the people of our country. Thats the most important thing, because then you can align yourself with those who defend the Constitution and the cause of Freedom and avoid those who dont. For the record, it is becoming nearly impossible to vote for anyone who upholds the Constitution, as they simply dont seem to exist among candidates that seek political office. I also tend to employ civil disobedience to laws I find are unconstitutional, and to embrace laws I find are rooted in the Constitution.

My second suggestion is to, as suggested by President Benson (above), learn what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it? My best source of statements by the Lord, latter-day prophets and apostles is in the books "A Glorious Standard For All Mankind" by Christopher S. Bentley. This compendium of prophetic statements can give one an excellent understanding of the importance of the U.S. Constitution to Latter-day Saints. A second source which is also easy to read is "Latter-day Prophets and the United States Constitution" by Donald Q. Cannon and his research assistant, Duane Knowles.

lundbaek wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 2:23 pm My second suggestion is to, as suggested by President Benson (above), learn what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it? My best source of statements by the Lord, latter-day prophets and apostles is in the books "A Glorious Standard For All Mankind" by Christopher S. Bentley. This compendium of prophetic statements can give one an excellent understanding of the importance of the U.S. Constitution to Latter-day Saints. A second source which is also easy to read is "Latter-day Prophets and the United States Constitution" by Donald Q. Cannon and his research assistant, Duane Knowles.

I found that learning the threats to the Constitution leads you to understanding the Kingdom of Satan and his grasp over the governments of the Earth.....it can lead to depression if you aren't careful, I would avoid speaking about such things except with those who are familiar....because some people just havent learned these truths and will be wierded out by you. Lastly, I find that we seem pretty powerless to fight back....which is part of the depressing part....but then we come to understand the Lord is in control, he has given us the events as they will transpire, and in the end we win the war in Heaven....even if we lose our lives in the process.

My third suggestion is to get stuck into learning the principles of the U.S. Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers, or as it was meant to be understood by those who established it. This can get a bit dicey, as in my endeavor to study a subject that has posed challenges (and still does) for me, my progress has been slow. Since we all learn things in different ways and at different speeds, I can only suggest starting by asking the Lord in sincere prayer where to begin and continue seeking his guidance as you move along. I can and want to testify of having received guidance along the way, including the coming of various books and articles to me attention, and opportunities to talk and correspond with others better versed on this subject than I am. It's probably best that I identify some of the sources of my education on this subject, not necessarily in any particular order:
"The Proper Role Of Government", a 1968 General Conference address by Elder Ezra Taft Benson
"The Making of America" by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen
"The 5000 Year Leap" by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen
"Your Nation To Save" by Shane Krauser
"Freedom - Is It For You" by Shane Krauser
"The Elders Of Israel And the Constitution" by Jerome Horowitz
"The Gospel Key To Our True Constitution" by Jerome Horowitz
"The Law" by Frederic Bastiat
The series of "The Tuttle Twins" books by Connor Boyack.
"The Doctrine Of Liberty - Insights From The Book Of Mormon" by Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs

I invite suggestions from others. I'm sure there are others that I'm not remembering just now.

Whenever possible, I have participated in classes in which LDS men and women far more knowledgeable than I have given a series of presentation that furthered and/or reinforced my knowledge of the principles of the U.S. Constitution. Presentations and study guides by the National Center For Constitutional Studies have been very helpful.

Note that President Benson said "The Lord said that “he holds men accountable for their acts in relation” to governments “both in making laws and administering them” (D&C 134:1). We must follow this counsel from the Lord: “Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil” (D&C 98:10)"...... Note the qualities that the Lord demands of those who are to represent us. They must be good, wise, and honest.... we must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, our teaching, and our advice. We must become accurately informed and then let others know how we feel."

And please! I want to add that it is most important that before we dive into the freedom battle that we first be sure we are promoting government that the Lord approves of. I stress this because of the following comment I received recently in an email from an ill-informed Latter-day Saint:
"Unfortunately, we are living in a time in which the Constitution of US and the Rule of Law is violated almost daily, and our Democracy is destroyed by this administration and his cronies in the Republican Senate. Sadly, they also have the support of the majority of the American Latter-Day Saints who preach the Gospel of Christ but support politicians who do not defend the constitution of U.S. That is a disgrace and I am very disappointed with my fellow Latter-Day Saints. Shame on them."

Major 'thanks' and thumb's-up to all of your posts here. Good stuff.

Truth be known, I see no way to reverse the course into tyranny that America is on now. Those "murderous combinations" that Moroni, and more recently President Boyd Packer warned us about have gotten above us. I look to "The Cleansing of America", as outlined by Dr. W.C. Skousen in his book of that title, for understanding of what to expect - after having read carefully the scriptural and other references he used to document his opinions. However, I still feel constrained to continue pursuing my personal agenda, which is why I am active in the John Birch Society, the Constitution in the Classroom program, and the Arizona and the Constitution Party.

Among my personal goals is doing what I can toward helping to prepare a people to restore the American government to its proper role of protecting our God-given and inalienable rights when opportunity arises . This includes:

1.) making Latter-day Saints aware of their divinely mandated responsibilities to study, uphold and abide by the principles of the US Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers, or as the Founders meant it to be understood, and to understand and support the proper role of government according to gospel principles. This involves promoting awareness of what I believe is a doctrinal imperative or divine mandate to learn and abide by the principles of the US Constitution as He who established it intends it to be understood. This irritates some Church members when I broach this subject in a testimony meeting, and I do try to tread carefully.

2.) making people aware of the conspiracy to overthrow the freedoms of all lands, nations, and countries and establish a single global government. The plan to establish a global government includes gaining control over and making a shambles of America and destroying what is left of our constitutional republic government and turning our nation into a highly centralized socialist state.

My agenda, then, is to help prepare that remnant that will help restore the Constitution after the "CLEANSING", although I rarely mention the cleansing. People, especially Latter-day Saints gotta learn about these things, even if they are not prophetic priorities. I guess they never were, but since 1987 they have gone from the "back burner' to the trash bucket.

Additionally, there are ways to slow down America's descent into the tyranny planned for us by globalists:

thestock wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 2:58 pmI found that learning the threats to the Constitution leads you to understanding the Kingdom of Satan and his grasp over the governments of the Earth.....it can lead to depression if you aren't careful, I would avoid speaking about such things except with those who are familiar....because some people just havent learned these truths and will be wierded out by you. Lastly, I find that we seem pretty powerless to fight back....which is part of the depressing part....but then we come to understand the Lord is in control, he has given us the events as they will transpire, and in the end we win the war in Heaven....even if we lose our lives in the process.

Some of us are far beyond caring about whether or not people will be wierded out by our views on liberty and the proper role of government. It's unfortunate that those things are so strange and unknown to so many people. We must talk about these things if we expect to be on the winning side. (also, I have other beliefs that are far more strange )

Definitely don't give someone a fire-hose worth of truth to the face but start out slowly, build on common beliefs, and give people the opportunity to either accept or reject the truth.

Do remember that the authors of our constitution were owners and sellers of human slaves.

My feeling is that if you believe the constitution is inspired then you should be willing to sacrifice as much for it as you would to keep the scriptures. For my part, I am will to work untold hours or die for both.

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 10:55 pm Do remember that the authors of our constitution were owners and sellers of human slaves.

And your point is what?

If you want to preserve the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, you have to make sure people know what is in it. Most Americans can't stand up and see their toes, much less know what the Founding Fathers gave them.

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 10:55 pm Do remember that the authors of our constitution were owners and sellers of human slaves.

Please be advised that most of those slaves lived better working for the authors of the Constitution and other Americans than they had been living in Africa, where they were already in slavery to other Africans, or while being transported to the Americas.

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 10:55 pm Do remember that the authors of our constitution were owners and sellers of human slaves.

Like George Washington for example, and yet God watched over and preserved his life in an extraordinary manner, all throughout his life and yet as you say he bought and sold and he kept his slaves all during his life until his death....

“And he said cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem and Canaan shall be his servant.”—Gen. 8:25, 26, 27.5

Do remember that God was well aware that the authors of the Constitution (a document that the Lord himself had a hand in) were slave owners.

B. wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 10:17 pm

thestock wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 2:58 pmI found that learning the threats to the Constitution leads you to understanding the Kingdom of Satan and his grasp over the governments of the Earth.....it can lead to depression if you aren't careful, I would avoid speaking about such things except with those who are familiar....because some people just havent learned these truths and will be wierded out by you. Lastly, I find that we seem pretty powerless to fight back....which is part of the depressing part....but then we come to understand the Lord is in control, he has given us the events as they will transpire, and in the end we win the war in Heaven....even if we lose our lives in the process.

Some of us are far beyond caring about whether or not people will be wierded out by our views on liberty and the proper role of government. It's unfortunate that those things are so strange and unknown to so many people. We must talk about these things if we expect to be on the winning side. (also, I have other beliefs that are far more strange )

Definitely don't give someone a fire-hose worth of truth to the face but start out slowly, build on common beliefs, and give people the opportunity to either accept or reject the truth.

I hear you. I found for me, I was talking too much about these things and the majority of my social circle simply didnt care about them or thought these truths were totally crazy and it was wasted effort trying to discuss it with them. In the end I found it did more harm to me than good to be talking about it. It reminded me of Alma's council in chapter 12:9:

" It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him."

I've gotten myself to a point where my true friends and family know where I stand, they know what I believe about the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan on the Earth but I no longer dwell on the negative things, rather I try to live in a way that uplifts and inspires and I just do my best being employed by Babylon to support my family but being unwilling to give my heart and soul to my employer because I serve God rather than Mammon in my heart.

Fiannan wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 4:14 am

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 17th, 2019, 10:55 pm Do remember that the authors of our constitution were owners and sellers of human slaves.

And your point is what?

Just following guidance. You are fully capable of drawing your own conclusions /points. You don't need me or anyone to connect the dots. Guidance will do it for you. If you open your mind. Actually I probably wouldn't have said anything or paid any attention to this thread except I recalled a recent PBS (I think?) bit on that. So it was near to my thoughts. I get that there was a lot of self-serving thought/action/justification going on there. Be well.

The cataclysm will bring with it many changes. Things will not remain the same. It can be used as yet another chance for humanity. But old ways die hard.

Gage wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 6:44 am Do remember that God was well aware that the authors of the Constitution (a document that the Lord himself had a hand in) were slave owners.

Ah! So it's God's fault! ... I don't think so...

Gage wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 6:44 am Do remember that God was well aware that the authors of the Constitution (a document that the Lord himself had a hand in) were slave owners.

You are just trying to find fault with the founders but Jesus Christ said this of them:

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.

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 9:20 am

Gage wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 6:44 am Do remember that God was well aware that the authors of the Constitution (a document that the Lord himself had a hand in) were slave owners.

Ah! So it's God's fault! ... I don't think so...

Never said it was God's fault. But I do know there has been the enslavement of many different groups and races of people throughout centuries for reasons that people today cannot comprehend nor understand.

When Humanity - men and women - attribute anything to God or any sub-god, they tend to do so for their own self interests - self-needs. Individual or religion. To try to prove to others that they are somehow especially "righteous". I suggest that while it is okay to ask - to pray - and you should! - However, attributing the result can be a fools game. In the name of! But my God is special. Different. And on and on. And every group accuses the other of doing it... They of course are clean. Pure.

Yeah, I know... yada yada..... just sayin.

The cataclysm will bring with it many changes. Things will not remain the same. It can be used as yet another chance for humanity. But old ways die hard.

Fiannan wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 10:08 am

The cataclysm will bring with it many changes. Things will not remain the same. It can be used as yet another chance for humanity. But old ways die hard.

Your point?

Kris17 wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 10:24 am

Fiannan wrote: ↑April 18th, 2019, 10:08 am

The cataclysm will bring with it many changes. Things will not remain the same. It can be used as yet another chance for humanity. But old ways die hard.

Your point?