Introduction
The United States Constitution is more than just a historical document—it is a divinely inspired framework that has shaped the freedoms and liberties we cherish today. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, understanding the Constitution’s origins and its connection to our faith is crucial. This blog explores the divine guidance behind the Constitution, its role in preserving agency, and our responsibility to uphold its principles.
The Creation of a Constitution
In September 1787, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton convened a convention to review the Articles of Confederation, which had governed the United States up to that point. Madison, having studied political theory for several years, recognized that the Articles were not a sustainable long-term solution for the country’s governance. The meeting, led by George Washington and known as the Constitutional Convention, resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
This new governing document was the first of its kind, and many other countries have since adopted similar frameworks. The U.S. Constitution was designed to protect our liberty and freedoms. The opening phrase of the Constitution states:
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 1
Liberty & Agency
The concept of liberty is critical—it means the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. It is the power to act as one pleases.
Liberty, freedom, and agency were essential and interconnected concepts even before our time on earth. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
“When the great War in Heaven was fought, Lucifer, the son of the morning, came forth with a plan that was rejected. The Father of us all, with love for us, His children, offered a better plan under which we would have freedom to choose the course of our lives. His Firstborn Son, our Elder Brother, was the key to that plan. Man would have his agency, and with that agency would go accountability.” 2
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want each of us to have the ability to choose. The adversary does not. The battle over freedom and agency did not end with the pre-existence; it continues in this earthly life.
“Agency was one of the principal issues to arise in the premortal Council in Heaven. It was one of the main causes of the conflict between the followers of Christ and the followers of Satan. The Lord has said that all people are responsible for their own motives, attitudes, desires, and actions. Even though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. The consequences, whether good or bad, follow as a natural result of any choice we make.” 3
The Lord Directed the Constitution
Agency is so critical that the Lord helped establish the founding of the Constitution. Doctrine and Covenants 101 states:
“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.” (D&C 101:80)
And why did He do this?
“That 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.”
President Ezra Taft Benson explained:
“America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord’s latter-day base of operations for His restored church.” 4
The Lord needed a place where freedom was at its core so He could establish His church. He needed a nation where agency was fundamental. The Constitution helped establish the environment needed to restore the fulness of His gospel. He also needed a people to align with this principle.
Because the Lord inspired the foundation of this country and the people who should reside here, it is critical we do all we can to protect and defend the Constitution, our freedom, and the laws of our land.
Supporting The Constitution
To ensure the Constitution continues to help provide agency to man and create the environment Christ has established, Elder Oaks instructs us as members of the Church to:
- Learn and advocate the inspired principles of the Constitution.
- Seek out and support wise and good persons who will support those principles in their public actions.
- Uphold and defend the United States Constitution and principles of constitutionalism wherever we live.
- Trust in the Lord and be positive about this nation’s future.
He further instructs, “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.” 5
The Future of The Constitution
Joseph Smith prophesied there will come a time when the Constitution will be put into question:
“Even this nation will be on the very 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.” 6
President Benson provided hope and reaffirmed Joseph’s words:
“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.” 7
Our Role
The Lord’s hand was heavily involved in the creation of this nation and its Constitution. It takes righteous people to uphold its values and principles. Doctrine and Covenants 98 states:
“Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn. Wherefore, 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.”
No matter the political matter or climate, it is critical that members of the Church put Christ and His gospel first. This will be the best way we can help maintain the standards the Lord helped establish to bring forth His gospel.
During contentious political times, we should never forget that spirituality comes first. We should seek Christ and the gospel truths He established before engaging in political division. We should remember that He helped establish a land and document that would help ensure our agency and allow His gospel to grow.
Conclusion
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the principles of the United States Constitution. By understanding its divine origins and the role it plays in preserving our agency, we can better appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. Let us commit to learning, advocating, and supporting the inspired principles of the Constitution, trusting in the Lord’s guidance as we strive to protect this sacred document and the liberties it ensures.
- The Constitution of the United States of America, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript ↩︎
- Gordon B. Hinckley, We Look to Christ, April 2002, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2002/04/we-look-to-christ?lang=eng ↩︎
- Agency and Accountability, Gospel Topics, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/agency-and-accountability?lang=eng#title1 ↩︎
- Ezra Taft Benson, Our Divine Constitution, October 1987, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/10/our-divine-constitution?lang=eng#p4 ↩︎
- Dallin H. Oaks, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, April 2021, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/51oaks?lang=eng ↩︎
- Discourse, circa 19 July 1840, as Reported by Martha Jane Knowlton Coray–B, p. 12, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed April 14, 2025, ↩︎
- Ezra Taft Benson, Our Divine Constitution, October 1987, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1987/10/our-divine-constitution?lang=eng#p4 ↩︎