John
Taylor
3rd President
1880–1887
The
United States
Constitution
The
Bill of Rights
Declaration
of
Independence
Born: 1
November 1808
Ordained an Apostle: 19 December 1838
President of the Twelve: 6 October 1877
President of the Church: 10 October 1880 - 25 July 1887
Died: 25 July 1887
2.
We believe that our fathers were inspired to write the Constitution of the
United States, and that it is in instrument, full, lucid, and
comprehensive; that it was dictated by a wise and foreseeing policy, and
does honor to the heads and hearts of its framers; that it is the great
bulwark of American liberty; and that the strict and implicit observance
of which is the only safeguard of this mighty nation. We therefore rest
ourselves under its ample folds. (The Gospel Kingdom 309-10)
3.
We believe that all legislative assemblies should confine themselves to
constitutional principles; and that all such laws should be implicitly
obeyed by every American. ("Introductory Address" 2)
4.
She [the U.S.] has, out of the chaotic, confused mass of material
associated with corrupt governments, organized a system of government and
framed a constitution that . . . guarantees to all, to the fullest extent,
"Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite. . . ." Here man is free to speak,
free to think, free to write, free to act, free to do good. The very
genius of our Constitution and institutions is freedom. If there is fault,
it is the fault of party, sectional strife, or narrow bigotry; it is not
in our institutions. (JT Papers 1:195)
5.
Would I, as a citizen of the United States, come out in rebellion against
the United States, and act contrary to my conscience? Verily no. Would
brother Young? Verily no. Would brother Kimball, or brother Wells? Verily
no.
Are
they not true patriots—true Americans? Do they not feel the fire of '76
burning in their bosoms? Assuredly they do. Would they do a thing that is
wrong? No; and they will also see that others do not do it. That is the
feeling, the spirit, and principle that actuate them.
There
are thousands of you who are Americans, who have been born in this land,
whose fathers fought for the liberties we used to enjoy, but have not
enjoyed for some years past. There are thousands of such men here who feel
the same spirit that used to burn in their fathers' bosoms—the spirit of
liberty and equal rights—the spirit of according to every man that which
belongs to him, and of robbing no man of his rights.
Your
fathers and grandfathers have met the tyrant when he sought to put a yoke
on your necks; as men and true patriots, they came forward and fought for
their rights and in defence of that liberty which we, their children,
ought to enjoy. You feel the same spirit that inspired them; the same
blood that coursed in their veins flows in yours; you feel true patriotism
and a strong attachment to the Constitution and institutions bought by the
blood of your fathers, and bequeathed to you by them as your richest
patrimony. (JD 5:148-49)
6.
I declare it before you and the world, that this people are the most
peaceable, law-abiding, and patriotic people that can be found in the
United States. (JD 5:152)
7.
We are citizens of the United States, and profess to support the
Constitution of the United States; and wherein that binds us, we are
bound; wherein it does not, we are not bound. . . .
.
. . If there is any man in this congregation, or anywhere else, that will
show me any principle or authority in the Constitution of the United
States that authorizes the President of the United States to send out
governors and judges to this Territory, I would like to see it. (JD
5:154; revised in LJT 275)
8.
What was the great cause of complaint at the time the Constitution was
framed? In the Declaration of Independence, it was stated that the people
had rulers placed over them, and they had no voice in their election. Read
that instrument. It describes our wrongs as plainly as it did the wrongs
the people then laboured under and discarded.
As
American citizens and patriots, and as sons of those venerable sires, can
we, without disgracing ourselves, our fathers and our nation, submit to
these insults and tamely bow to such tyranny? We cannot do it, and we will
not do it. We will rally round the Constitution, and declare our rights as
American citizens and we will sustain them in the face of high heaven and
the world.
No
man need have any qualms of conscience that he is doing wrong. You are
patriots, standing by your rights and opposing the wrong which affects all
lovers of freedom as well as you; for those acts of aggression have a
withering, deadly effect, and are gnawing, like a canker-worm, at the very
vitals of religious and civil liberty. You are standing by the Declaration
of Independence, and sustaining the Constitution which was given by the
inspiration of God; and you are the only people in the United States [at]
this time that are doing it—that have the manhood to do it. . . .
According
to the genius and spirit of the Constitution of the United States, we are
pursuing the course that would be approved of by all high-minded,
honourable men; and no man but a poor, miserable sneak would have any
other feeling.
.
. . I have watched with no little anxiety the encroachments of Government
and the manifest desire to trample upon your rights. It is for you,
however, to maintain them; and if those men that are traitors to the
spirit and genius of the Constitution of the United States have a mind to
trample under foot those principles that ought to guarantee protection to
every American citizen, we will rally around the standard, and bid them
defiance in the name of the Lord God of Israel.
In
doing this, we neither forget our duties as citizens of the United States,
nor as subjects of the kingdom and cause of God; but as the Lord has said,
if we will keep His commandments, we need not transgress the laws of the
land. We have not done it; we have maintained them all the time.
When
we talk about the Constitution of the United States, we are sometimes apt
to quote—"Vox populi, vox Dei;" that is, The voice of the
people is the voice of God. But in some places they ought to say, VOX
POPULI, VOX DIABOLI; that is, the voice of the people is the voice of the
Devil.
We
are moved by a higher law. . . .
We
are not taking any steps contrary to the laws and the Constitution of the
United States, but in everything we are upholding and sustaining them. (JD
5:156-57; also in Melville 27; revised in LJT 278)
9.
In speaking upon this subject once before, I showed you that, by the
Constitution and the very genius of our Government, they had no right to
interfere with us. (JD 5:185)
10.
We are not rebelling against the United States, neither are we resisting
the Constitution of the United States; but it is wicked and corrupt
usurpers that are oppressing us and that would take our rights from us. (JD
5:187)
11.
Will you endeavour to disannul the Government? No; but we will rally round
the Constitution that was purchased by the blood of our fathers, and will
support it. . . .
These
are our views; and while we do not trample under foot the Constitution, we
will take care that others do not do it. . . .
Shall
we still bless the human family? Yes. Shall we rally around the
Constitution of the United States and protect it in its purity? Yes; we
will save it when others forsake it. (JD 5:246-47)
12.
In regard to our religion, it is perhaps unnecessary to say much, yet
whatever others' feelings may be about it, with us it is honestly a matter
of conscience. This is a right guaranteed unto us by the Constitution of
our country, yet it is on this ground, and this alone, that we have
suffered a continued series of persecutions. (LJT 287)
13.
They have, however, discovered the difference between a blind submission
to the caprices of political demagogues, and obedience to the
Constitution, laws, and institutions of the United States; nor can they in
the present instance be hood-winked by the cry of "treason." If
it be treason to stand up for our Constitutional rights; if it be treason
to resist the unconstitutional acts of a vitiated and corrupt
administration, who by a mercenary armed force would seek to rob us of the
rights of franchise, cut our throats to subserve their own party, and seek
to force upon us their corrupt tools, and violently invade the rights of
American citizens; if it be treason to maintain inviolate our homes, our
firesides, our wives, and our honor, from the corrupting, and withering
blight of a debauched soldiery; if it be treason to maintain inviolate the
Constitution and institutions of the United States, when nearly all the
states are seeking to trample them under their feet—then indeed are we
guilty of treason.
It
is not as some suppose the "voice of Brigham" only, but the
universal, deep settled feeling of the whole community. Their cry is
"Give us our Constitutional rights; give us liberty or death." (LJT
288; also in JT Papers 1:213)
14.
We have at all times been subject to and supported the constitution of the
United States, and the laws of this State. Had the authorities of
government sent out a committee to have counselled with us, and
investigate the matter, they would have been treated with respect, and
their counsel adhered to, as we never had any quarrel with our country,
and if we or any of us had broken the laws, we were willing to be tried by
and adhere to those laws, and that Constitution which the blood of our
Fathers still endears to our memory. (A Short Account of the Murders,
Roberies, . . . 6)
15.
The origin for the unprecedented prosperity of the United States will be
found in a free and liberal constitution. (JT Papers 1:224)
16.
The Constitution of the United States has ever been respected and honored
by us. We consider it one of the best national instruments ever formed.
Nay, further, Joseph Smith in his day said it was given by inspiration of
God. We have ever stood by it, and we expect when the fanaticism of false,
blatant friends shall have torn it shred from shred, to stand by the
shattered ruins and uphold the broken, desecrated remnants of our
country's institutions in all their primitive purity and pristine glory. (JT
Papers 1:228)
17.
As we have progressed the mist has been removed, and in relation to these
matters, the Elders of Israel begin to understand that they have something
to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as
much their duty to study correct political principles as well as
religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political
interests of man, and to learn and be able to teach that which would be
best calculated to promote the interests of the world. (JD 9:340)
18.
We do not expect that Congress is acquainted with our religious faith; but
. . . we do claim the guarantees of the Constitution and immunity from
persecution on merely religious grounds. (JD 11:223; revised in JT
Papers 1:233)
19.
Then do you profess to ignore the laws of the land? No; not unless they
are unconstitutional, then I would do it all the time. Whenever the
Congress of the United States, for instance, pass[es] a law interfering
with my religion, or with my religious rights, I will read a small portion
of that instrument called the Constitution of the United States, now
almost obsolete, which says—"Congress shall pass no law interfering
with religion or the free exercise thereof" [US Const. Amend. I]; and
I would say, gentlemen, you may go to Gibraltar with your law, and I will
live my religion. When you become violators of the Constitution you have
sworn before high heaven to uphold, and perjure yourselves before God,
then I will maintain the right, and leave you to take the wrong just as
you please. (JD 11:343; revised in JT Papers 1:232)
20.
There have been attempts made here to interfere with the trial by jury, a
right guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States as well as by
the Magna Charta of England. . . .
No
man should make a scapegoat of me; if he wished to violate constitutional
rights he should do it on his own responsibility. Some men will endure a
great deal in matters of this kind, and they will call it humility; but I
desire no such humility. I want a principle that will maintain, uphold,
and stand by the rights of man, giving to all men everywhere equal rights,
and that will preserve inviolate the fundamental principles of the
Constitution of our country. (JD 11:343)
21.
And why should we feel ashamed to acknowledge that those patriots and
statesmen who framed the Constitution of the United States were led by
inspiration? It is an honor to any man or group of men to seek the
inspiration of the Almighty. It is a greater honor to receive it. (JT
Papers 1:269)
22.
Under a government just and equitable . . . this country flourished,
following the arts of industry and peace, as no nation ever did before. .
. . She prospered under the direction, the guidance and protection of the
Constitution. Well might Joseph Smith exclaim, "It was given by
inspiration of God." In such a condition, surrounded by so many
blessings, what might have been her destiny? (JT Papers 1:271)
23.
As part of the common brotherhood of the nation, we will perform the part
of a good citizen; rally round the cause of right; maintain inviolate the
Constitution of the United States. (JT Papers 1:272)
24.
The honorable framers of the Constitution of the United States were no
less alive to these matters, and while they threw safeguards around the
civil power, [they] were very anxious to protect the people in their
individual, social, religious and political rights. (JT Papers
1:279)
25.
I may be here met with the statement that we are only a territory; but we
are American citizens, and have never abjured our citizenship nor
relinquished our Constitutional guarantees. . . .
The
facts are the people, one hundred thousand American citizens, living in
the Territory of Utah, with the full rights of free men, and the
protecting guarantees of a written constitution, find in the persons of
federal officers "another government" not of the people, and in
violation of Constitutional guarantees and authority; claiming to come
from the United States, "imperium in imperio." (LJT
314-15)
26.
It may be asked why the framers of the Constitution did not carry out the
views enunciated by the declarers of independence, in regard to the
inalienable rights of man? . . .
It
may be asked, if this instrument was imperfect, why do you sustain it?
Simply that, with this one fault, it was the best instrument in existence,
and it was all and more than the nation has ever lived up to. (JT
Papers 1:282)
27.
We are told, however, that "eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty;" and as we possess the best Constitution and the best
government in the world, let us preserve it, and transmit it intact, pure
and unadulterated to our children. (JT Papers 1:285)
28.
When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United
States the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of
the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men, and
extending the hand of fellowship to the oppressed of all nations. This is
part of the programme, and as long as we do what is right and fear God, he
will help us and stand by us under all circumstances. (JD 21:8)
29.
But if they think we cannot stand up for our rights under God and the
Constitution, they will find they are egregiously mistaken. (JT Papers
2:65)
30.
Need we be surprised that they should trample under foot the Constitution
of the United States? No; Joseph Smith told us that they would do it. Many
around me here knew long ago that they would do this thing and further
knew that the last people that should be found to rally around the sacred
instrument and save it from the grasp of unrighteous men would be the
Elders of Israel! When, therefore, we see these things progressing need we
be astonished? I do not think we need be. (JD 20:318)
31.
And they will tear away one plank of liberty after another, until the
whole fabric will totter and fall; and many other nations will be cast
down and empires destroyed; and this nation will have to suffer as others
will. And it will be as Joseph Smith once said, "When all others
forsake the Constitution, the Elders of this Church will rally around the
standard and save its tattered shreds." We will come to its rescue
and proclaim liberty to all men. (JD 20:357)
32.
We will sustain the government in its administration, and be true to it,
and maintain this position right along. And when division, strife, trouble
and contention arise, we will try to still the troubled waters, and act in
all honesty as true friends to the government; and when war shall exist
among them, and there is no one found to sustain the remnants of liberty
that may be left, the Elders of Israel will rally round the standard of
freedom and proclaim liberty to all the world. (CR [Apr 1880] 102)
As
the President of the Church
33.
Will we oppose the principles of this government? No. We will sustain
them. But if people will act foolishly we cannot help it. If this nation
can stand the results of the violation of constitutional principles, we
can. If they tear down the bulwarks of freedom and with impunity trample
underfoot the rights of men we cannot help it. If it is our turn, to-day,
to suffer wrong, it will be somebody else's to-morrow, national
retrogressions are not often arrested. It behooves statesmen to pause in
their career. The floodgates once opened who shall stay the torrent? We of
all men would save the ship of state and would say to these national
patricides avaunt [go away]! But if they will act foolishly and continue
to do so until they subvert the principles of liberty, and thus destroy
one of the best governments ever instituted on earth, then if forsaken by
all else, the elders of this Church will rally round the Constitution,
lift up the standard of freedom, which is being trodden under foot and
bedrabbled by demagogues, and proclaim liberty to the world; equal rights,
liberty and equality; freedom of conscience and of worship to all men
everywhere. That is not a prophecy of mine; it is a prophecy of Joseph
Smith's, and I believe it very strongly. (JD 21:349-50)
34.
But should this nation persist in violating their Constitutional
guarantees, tear away the bulwarks of liberty, and trample upon the
principles of freedom and human rights, that are sacred to all men, and by
which all men should be governed, by and by the whole fabric will fall,
and who will sustain it? We will, in the name of Israel's God. Of this the
Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied long, long ago. (JD 22:229)
35.
But all honorable men, all men who do right and maintain the laws and the
Constitution of the United States, we are their friends and will sustain
them to the last. . . .
We
see many signs of weakness which we lament, and we would to God that our
rulers would be men of righteousness, and that those who aspire to
position would be guided by honorable feelings—to maintain inviolate the
Constitution and operate in the interest, happiness, well-being, and
protection of the whole community. But we see signs of weakness and
vacillation. We see a policy being introduced to listen to the clamor of
mobs and of unprincipled men who know not of what they speak, nor whereof
they affirm, and when men begin to tear away with impunity one plank after
another from our Constitution by and by we shall find that we are
struggling with the wreck and ruin of the system which the forefathers of
this nation sought to establish in the interests of humanity. But it is
for us still to sustain these glorious principles of liberty bequeathed by
the founders of this nation, still to rally round the flag of the Union,
still to maintain all correct principles, granting the utmost extent of
liberty to all people of all grades and of all nations. (JD 22:143)
36.
There is one thing I wish to speak about here politically. "What do
you think about the government of the United States," so the people
say. "What are your opinions?" I will tell you what I think
about the Constitution. I have just the same opinion of it that Joseph
Smith had, and he said it was given by inspiration of God. The men did not
know this who wrote it; the men did not know it who adopted it;
nevertheless it is true. There is an embodiment of principles contained
therein that are calculated to bless and benefit mankind. "What do
you think about the government of the United States as a government? I
think it is a good deal ahead of most governments, but I think the
administrators are apostatizing very fast from the principles that the
fathers of this nation instituted." It has become quite a question
now-a-days, whether men can be preserved in their rights or not, whether
men can worship God according to the dictates of their conscience or not,
or whether we are living in a land of freedom or not. What is the matter?
Why, they are like the religionist. How is it with them? They profess to
believe in the Bible. They do believe it shut, but when you open it they
deny it. The people of this nation profess to believe in the Constitution.
They do until it comes to be applied to the people and then they do not.
That is perhaps too broad a saying; but I will say there are many who feel
like this—not all by a long way. There are thousands and tens of
thousands who are imbued with the same principles as were the framers of
the Constitution and who desire to see human freedom perpetuated. The
principles of freedom and the love of human liberty have not quite died
out of the hearts of all men in these United States. There is a
respectable balance in favor of liberty and freedom and equal rights. . .
. We would say to men who profess so much loyalty and patriotism to the
government, be true to your institutions, be true to the Constitution of
the United States, as we say to all our people to be true to the same. We
expect the Latter-day Saints to be so, and to be subject to law, to avoid
lawlessness of every kind and the interference with men's rights in any
shape. (JD 22:295-96)
37.
It is for us to maintain those sacred principles enunciated in our
Constitution, and not only preserve our own liberties, so far as we can,
but also those of our nation and of the world. (JT Papers 2:202)
38.
But if the professed friends of the nation—those who boast so much about
human liberty and Constitutional rights—can afford to root up, override
and destroy the principles of that very liberty about which they talk, and
trample underfoot the sacred barriers of the Constitution, we can afford
to have them do it. (JT Papers 2:203)
39.
If the rulers of this nation can afford to tamper with the sacred rights
of the people guaranteed by the constitution of this great nation, and
ruthlessly tear down the temple of freedom erected at the cost of so much
blood and treasure, instead of anticipated glory, they will bring
destruction upon the nation and ruin and infamy upon themselves. The
sacred bulwarks of freedom once tampered with, the floodgates of anarchy
and confusion will be thrown open and dissolution and ruin will follow in
their train in rapid succession. It is for us to sustain and maintain the
principles guaranteed in that sacred palladium of human rights—the
Constitution of the United States, and to contend inch by inch in every
legal and constitutional manner for our own rights and human freedom,
leaving misrule, anarchy, violations of law and the trampling under foot
of the rights of man and constitutional guarantees to religious fanatics
and clamoring demagogues; and if they can afford to tamper with those
sacred guarantees, we certainly can afford to have them do it. It is for
us to seek more exalted ideas, to abide by constitutional law, to maintain
inviolate the principles of human freedom, and to contend with unwavering
firmness for those inalienable rights of all men—life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness; and to seek continually to our God for wisdom to
accomplish so great, noble and patriotic a purpose. (JD 23:36)
40. Truth ultimately will triumph, as according to the old adage, "Truth, crushed to earth, will rise again." And what will you do? Contend for constitutional principles, or lie down and let the vicious, the mendacious and unprincipled run over and overslaugh you? (JD 23:61)
Now,
what will we do in our relations with the United States? We will observe
the law as we have done, and be as faithful as we have been. We will
maintain our principles and live our religion and keep the commandments of
God, and obey every constitutional law, pursuing that course that shall
direct us in all things. (JD 23:68)
43.
If other people can afford to trample under foot the sacred institutions
of this country, we cannot. And if other people trample upon the
Constitution and pull it to pieces, we will gather together the pieces and
rally around the old flag, or what is left of it, and proclaim liberty to
the world, as Joseph Smith said we would. Is that treason? I do not know;
no matter, it is true. Are we going to hurt anybody? No. (JD
23:239)
45.
Our counsel, then, is to the Latter-day Saints who can truthfully take
this oath, there is no reason that we know of in the Gospel, or in any of
the revelations of God, which prevents you from doing so. You owe it to
yourselves; you owe it to your posterity; you owe it to those of your
co-religionists who, by this law, are robbed worse than even many of
yourselves, of their rights under the Constitution; you owe it to humanity
everywhere; you owe it to that free and constitutional form of government,
which has been bequeathed to you through the precious sacrifices of many
of your forefathers—to do all in your power to maintain religious
liberty and free, republican government in these mountains, and to
preserve every constitutional right intact, and not to allow, either
through supineness or indifference, or any feeling of resentment or
indignation because of wrongs inflicted upon you, any right or privilege
to be wrested from you. . . . Then having done this, and everything else
in your power to preserve constitutional government and full religious
freedom in the land, you can safely trust the Lord for the rest. He has
promised to fight your battles. . . .
Let
us guard well our franchise, and in one unbroken phalanx, maintain and
sustain our political status, and, as patriots and the freemen, operate
together, in the defence of what few liberties are left us, in the defence
of the Constitution, and in the defence of the inalienable rights of man;
which rights always exist and are before and above all constitutions, and
thus perpetuate to posterity the inestimable blessings of freedom,
including the right to live, the right to be free, and the right to pursue
happiness, unmolested by any influence, power, or combination. (An
Address to the Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
5-6; also in MFP 2:346)
46.
They are described in the Declaration of Independence as inalienable
rights, one of which is that men have a right to live; another is that
they have a right to pursue happiness; and another is that they have a
right to be free and no man has authority to deprive them of those
God-given rights, and none but tyrants would do it. These principles I
say, are inalienable in man; they belong to him; they existed before any
constitutions were framed or any laws made. Men have in various ages
striven to strip their fellowmen of these rights, and dispossess them of
them. And hence the wars, the bloodshed and carnage that have spread over
the earth. We therefore are not indebted to the United States for these
rights; we were free as men born into the world, having the right to do as
we please, to act as we please, as long as we do not transgress
constitutional law nor violate the rights of others.
As
politicians or statesmen they must at least give us the benefit of the
Constitution and laws. (JD 23:263-64)
47.
It may not be among the improbabilities, that the prophecies of Joseph
Smith may be fulfilled and that the calumniated and despised Mormons may
yet become the protectors of the Constitution and the guardians of
religious liberty and human freedom in these United States. (JD
23:266)
48.
[The wicked] are laying the axe at the root of this government, and unless
they speedily turn round and repent and follow the principles they have
sworn to sustain—the principles contained in the Constitution of the
United States—they will be overthrown, they will be split up and
divided, be disintegrated and become weak as water; for the Lord will
handle them in his own way. I say these things in sorrow; but as sure as
God lives unless there is a change of policy these things will most
assuredly take place. (JD 23:270)
49.
We are charged with being a menace to the United States, with being
inimical to the Constitution and Government, simply because we have
undertaken to legitimately and legally test in the courts, as we have the
most perfect right to do, the legality and constitutionality of the law
and the commissioners' rulings. ("Ecclesiastical Control in
Utah" 4)
50.
If our Constitution, our laws, and the fundamental principles of our
Government are to be trampled underfoot, it would seem to be high time
that all honorable men should stand up in defense of liberty and the
rights of man. ("Ecclesiastical Control in Utah" 5; revised in JT
Papers 2:300)
51. It is said in the Doctrine and Covenants, that he that keepeth the
laws of God, hath no need to break the laws of the land [58:21]. It is
further explained in section 98, what is meant in relation to this. That
all laws which are constitutional must be obeyed, as follows:
"And
now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will
that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
"And
that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that
principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all
mankind, and is justifiable before me;
"Therefore
I the Lord justify you and your brethren of the Church in befriending that
law which is the constitutional law of the land. And as pertaining to laws
of man, whatsoever is more or less than these cometh of evil"
[D&C 98:4-7].
That
is taking this nation as an example, all laws that are proper and correct,
and all obligations entered into which are not violative of the
constitution should be kept inviolate. But if they are violative of the
constitution, then the compact between the rulers and the ruled is broken
and the obligation ceases to be binding. Just as a person agreeing to
purchase anything and to pay a certain amount for it, if he receives the
article bargained for, and does not pay its price, he violates his
contract; but if he does not receive the article he is not required to pay
for it. (JD 26:350)
52.
We will do right, we will treat all men right, and we will maintain every
institution of our country that is according to the Constitution of the
United States, and the laws thereof, and we will sustain them. (JD
26:38)
53.
By and by, you will find they will tear the Constitution to shreads, as
they have begun now; they won't have to begin; they have started long ago
to rend the Constitution of our country in pieces; and in doing so they
are letting loose and encouraging a principle which will re-act upon
themselves with terrible consequences; for if law-makers and
administrators can afford to trample upon justice, equity, and the
Constitution of this country, they will find thousands and tens of
thousands who are willing to follow in their wake in the demolition of the
rights of man, and the destruction of all principles of justice, and the
safeguards of the nation; but we will stand by and maintain its principles
and the rights of all men of every color, and every clime; we will cleave
to the truth, live our religion and keep the commandments of God, and God
will bless us in time and throughout the eternities that are to come. (JD
26:39)
54.
The Constitution expressly says that no law shall be passed impairing the
obligation of contracts. But we have entered into covenants and contracts
in our most sacred places. . . . I have never broken any law of these
United States. . . .
Well,
what will you do? I will obey every Constitutional law so far as God gives
me ability. (JD 26:153)
55.
And while other men are seeking to trample the Constitution under
foot, we will try to maintain it. We have prophecies something like this
somewhere; that the time would come when this nation would do as they are
now doing—that is, they would trample under foot the constitution and
institutions of the nation, and the Elders of this Church would rally
around the standard and maintain those principles which were introduced
for the freedom and protection of men. We expect to do that, and to
maintain all correct principle. I will tell you what you will see by and
by. You will see trouble, trouble, trouble enough in these United States.
. . . But let us be on the side of human liberty and human rights, and the
protection of all correct principles and laws and government, and maintain
every principle that is upright and virtuous and honorable, and let the
world take the balance if they want, we don't want it. We will cleave to
the truth, God being our helper, and try to introduce principles whereby
the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And we will obey
every institution of man for the Lord's sake so far as we can without
violating our consciences and doing things that are wrong and improper. (JD
26:156-57)
56
Do not permit any of these abuses with which we have to cope, to tempt you
to retaliate in kind, or to violate any Constitutional law of the land.
You will remember that Joseph Smith has said that that sacred instrument
was given by inspiration of God, and it becomes our bounden duty to
sustain it in all its provisions. . . .
During
the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph Smith he predicted that the time would
come when it would devolve upon the Latter-day Saints to uplift, defend
and maintain the Constitution of the United States. Recent events in our
Territory have given great significance to this prediction, and have
brought it forcibly to the minds of all who have heard concerning it.
These events appear to be forcing us into the exact position so plainly
described by the Prophet through the spirit of prophecy. Attempts are now
being made to destroy our rights under the Constitution, and to effect
this, that instrument—which the Prophet Joseph Smith said was given by
inspiration of God—is being trampled upon by those who should be its
administrators and guardians. This compels us to contend for
constitutional principles. We must uphold them to the best of our ability.
An attack has been made upon our religion, and it appears to be determined
that we shall either abandon it or be visited with the most severe pains
and penalties. Under the cover of this attack upon the principle of
patriarchal marriage, we are denied the most of the rights which belong to
freemen, and which our ancestors enjoyed for ages before even they were
enunciated in writing in the Constitution of the United States. For proof
of this we need but refer to our right to be tried only by a jury of our
peers—a right which men of our race have enjoyed from the most remote
times. Our religion is made the pretext for this deprivation of rights,
and for bitter threats against the few remaining liberties which we
possess. To preserve these liberties, and to regain the rights of which we
are already unjustly deprived, we must contend earnestly, manfully,
legally and constitutionally.
.
. . We have rights under the Constitution, and however much these may be
denied to us, it is still our bounden duty to contend for them, not only
in behalf of ourselves, but for all our fellow citizens and for our
posterity, and for humanity generally throughout the world. Were we to do
less than this, we would fail in performing the mission assigned to us,
and be recreant to the high trust which God has reposed in us. . . .
.
. . And while we at present are in circumstances that are painful, and
that have been brought about by the action of inconsiderate, unreflecting
and, in many instances, wicked and unscrupulous men, some of whom are
officials, yet we have never felt like wavering in our fidelity to our
government, nor like ignoring the principles of equal rights guaranteed by
that sacred palladium of human liberty—the Constitution of the United
States. . . .
We
repeat, that we desire that all men should be aware of the fact that we
have been the upholders of the Constitution and laws enacted in pursuance
of that sacred instrument. We still entertain the same patriotic
disposition, and propose to continue acting in conformity with it to the
last. Neither have we any desire to come in active conflict even with
statutes that we deem opposed to the Constitution both in letter and
spirit. . . . Were we to make such a surrender, our conduct in that
respect would not be in harmony with the guaranties [sic] of the
Constitution, which we are in duty bound to uphold. (MFP 3:12-14,
16, 19, 30)
57.
The preamble of the Constitution of the United States assigns as reasons
why it was framed: "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." Most excellent reasons for framing such a charter of
liberty, and every officer who acts under it should keep these objects in
view. But many of the officers sent here have acted as though they were
determined that none of these blessings for which the Constitution was
framed should reach us. (MFP 3:52)
58.
It would appear that we have reached that era in our history, so long
foretold, when the Constitution of the United States would hang by a
single thread, and the Elders of Israel alone would contend for its
preservation. (JT Papers 2:464)
59.
We will rally around the flag of our country and maintain the glorious
Constitution for weal or woe. (JT Papers 2:446)
60.
We wish it fully understood by the Saints and by all the world that we
have a profound respect for all wholesome and constitutional laws. (MFP
3:80)
61.
The powers of the government and the rights and privileges of the citizen
are regulated and plainly defined by the Constitution itself, and when a
Territory becomes a part of the United States, the Federal Government
enters into possession in the character impressed upon it by those who
created it. It enters upon it with its powers over the citizen strictly
defined and limited by the Constitution from which it derives its own
existence, and by virtue of which alone it continues to exist as a
government and sovereignty. It has no power of any kind beyond it, and it
cannot when it enters a Territory of the United States put off its
character, and assume discretionary or despotic powers which the
Constitution has denied to it. It cannot create for itself a new character
separate from the citizens of the United States, and the duties it owes to
them under the provisions of the Constitution. (MFP 3:116-17)
62.
It was through and by the power of God, that the fathers of this country
framed the Declaration of Independence, and also that great palladium of
human rights, the Constitution of the United States. There is nothing of a
bigoted, narrow-contracted feeling about that instrument; it is broad and
comprehensive. ("The Constitution Is an Inspired Document" 644)
1.
Besides the preaching of the gospel, we have another
mission - that
is the perpetuation of the free agency,
liberty, freedom
and rights of man.
Pres. John
Taylor - JD 23:63
2.
By Careful perusal of the scriptures, we find
that
God in ancient days had as much to do with
governments, kings, and kingdoms, as he ever had to
do with religion.
Pres. John Taylor - Millennial Star. 5:8-9
3. If
Americans should ever come to believe that their
rights and freedoms are instituted among men by
politicians and bureaucrats, they will no longer carry
the proud inheritance of their forefathers, but will ore
their masters seeking favors and dispensations – a
throwback to the feudal system of the Dark Ages.
Pres. John Taylor - JD 21:8
4.
When
the people shall have torn to shreds the
Constitution of the United States, the elders of Israel
will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth
and proclaiming liberty.
Pres.
John Taylor - JD 21:8
Jesus
Christ Joseph Smith
Jr.
Brigham Young
Founding
Fathers
Wilford Woodruff
Lorenzo Snow
Joseph F. Smith
Heber J. Grant
George A. Smith
David O. McKay
Joseph F. Smith
Harold B. Lee
Spencer Kimball Ezra T. Benson Howard Hunter
Gordon Hinckley First Presidency Elders
Citizens
Rule Book
