Just & Holy Principles Essay -- My American Heritage Final Essay

Welcome to a country that promotes the liberty of its people; a country where forty-thousand of its citizens are being expelled from their homes at gunpoint. Welcome to a country that protects the life of its citizens; a country whose government is raising an army to exterminate a group of people. Welcome to a country whose government is formed to serve the people; a country whose leader says, “Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you” (5).

Welcome to the United States of America.

After facing persecution, exile, and death, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons), found a new home in what would later become the state of Utah. Even in this new home, the persecution continued. United States President James Buchanan dispatched an army to control the “Mormon problem.” In response to years of unfair treatment, the Mormons would be warranted if they harbored feelings of rage, retaliation, and revenge.

The feelings they actually harbored are exactly the opposite. “In the midst of this abuse heaped upon us,” commented John Taylor, “we showed our adherence to the institutions and Constitution of our country…We will stand by that Constitution and uphold the flag of our country when everybody else forsakes it” (28-29).

Throughout time and trial, LDS leaders have consistently approached the Constitution as a heaven-inspired document that provides men with the opportunity to achieve eternal life. LDS authorities affirm two key reasons for upholding the Constitution even in times of immense difficulty: 1) the Constitution is inspired by God to allow for religious freedom and free agency, and 2) free agency used correctly provides the avenue to eternal life.

“All good principles and laws have emanated from the Almighty,” remarked Orson Pratt. “The Constitution came from Him; it was given…by inspiration” (21). The work of revolution, the founding of America, and the writing of the Constitution all have their beginnings behind the veil (10), and they all exist as means of providing a land of religious tolerance where people can freely live the principles of Christ’s true gospel (xix).

The Mormons were persecuted for obeying such a gospel, but they upheld the Constitution because they believed the revelation that the Lord had given to them: “[the Constitution is established] 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” (D&C 101:78-80). The Mormons acted in accordance with God’s inspired document. The United States did not.

“Why did we leave [the United States]?” asked John Taylor, reflecting back on hard times of abuse and trial. “Was it because its Constitution was not one of the best that was ever framed? No…It was because there was not sufficient virtue found in the Executive to sustain their own laws” (27). Mistreatment by the United States did not hamper the Mormons’ “love of liberty, the love of true republicanism” (39).

The Constitution was established, “for the purpose of making men free and securing unto them their inalienable rights, which they…must exercise in order to obtain eternal life,” says Rulon S. Wells (75). The Constitution is a document that provides for the use of free agency in progression towards eternal life. It is no wonder that the Mormon people upheld the Constitution when all Hell seemed to be raging against them—indeed, it was.

What do the actions of the early Mormon people say about the civic duty of every United States citizen? The Constitution has a marvelous system of checks and balances, “but if uninspired individuals lack their own checks and balances, the inspired Constitution cannot correct that imbalance” (179). The goal of every citizen then, is to be virtuous and to uphold the Constitution at all times. What is needed are “wise expressions of patriotism that will improve the quality of life in our decaying cities” (176).

Hated. Driven. Persecuted. The Mormon people love the United States of America and the freedom it guarantees. The Constitution is inspired by Heaven to provide such freedom and to allow men the opportunity to gain eternal life. Since its inception, the Church’s approach to the Constitution has been and will continue to be, “defence, not defiance” (55). After all the abuse, the trials, and the shortcomings of an earthly government, the current Church President voices the opinion of every Latter-day Saint— “the world is so much better…for the presence of the United States of America” (199).