The U.S. Constitution—An Inconvenient Document

By Kellene Bishop

Our U.S. Constitution. When I hear those words I swell up with pride and a sense of reverenced awe to realize that men from such diverse backgrounds and beliefs could have come up with such an inspired document. Yes, it is not perfect in light of the many unprecedented ails that our country experiences today, but I firmly believe that it is a heavenly inspired document. Just as the parting of the Red Sea, so did God cut through the clutter of biases, prejudices, and paradigms of those rather ordinary men to come together and create a guiding document that attempted to express and ensure universal fairness and a nation of true freedom. Sadly, today that document is condemned by the very persons who take an oath to uphold it as irrelevant, archaic, and outdated.

Many believe that to recognize our nation as unique is narcissistic and prideful. It simply is not. The fact that our nation was founded on the principles of true freedom—to act according to our own conscience so long as such actions did not tread on the freedoms of others—was based on the recognition of the true value of human life. As such this nation was indeed the first and still is the most unique nation in the world. No other nation has ever attempted to convey such freedoms to its citizens. No other nation has ever believed enough in its citizens to acknowledge that such freedoms even belonged to its citizens. The United States of America attempted to do that which had never been done before; to believe that a people would choose good over bad if permitted to make decisions for themselves, and as such to prosper in the pursuit of life, liberty, the pursuit of property, and happiness. This belief was so fundamental to the birth of our nation that the millions of those who toiled and plowed for such a standard gave their lives in the selfless sacrifice of time, money, and even blood to seal their belief of such a notion.

Have the history books ever mentioned any other document which has inspired such consistent goodness, sacrifice, and virtue before which influenced so many? When it was first created, was there evidence of any evil intent to have tyrannical power of the people of this nation? Even if the Constitution had conveyed a desire for power over the people at the time, it could not be enforced upon a people who were passionately ready for the responsibilities of freedom. They could fathom nothing less at that time and they would accept nothing less.

Today however, many attempt to dismiss the merits of the Constitution, not because its doctrines are faulty, but because such doctrines are seriously inconvenient to the duplicitous and tyrannical desires of those who are expected to uphold it.

For example, it wasn’t convenient for President G. W. Bush to wait until “probable cause” was evident prior to him taking down a suspected terrorist. So he simply created various acts to eliminate such needs so long as the government agents were willing to “claim” that their investigations “may” benefit the results of a terrorist investigation.

The government was greatly inconvenienced by not being able to spend as much as they wanted to. And according to the Constitution’s requirement of taxation WITH proper representation they were handcuffed. So, “inconvenience be damned”, they claimed to have ratified an amendment that enabled them to tax the citizens of this nation egregiously. (They never did ratify such an amendment, but they sure do like to pretend they did in hopes that we won’t pick up on it.)

Certain political parties are shackled with the merits of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, so they seek to create another bill, ironically called the “Fairness Doctrine” in an effort to eliminate those who would dare express any opposing views of the government with any semblance of influence.

And so it continues…

Unfortunately, the people as a whole are starting to get wise. Their freedoms are starting to be seriously inconvenienced by a government that was supposed to working FOR them for no other purpose than to uphold and protect the U.S. Constitution. Essentially, this inconvenient document is the ONLY thing that ensures our government officials even have a job! So the only way they can get around this is to attempt, with the help of the complacent media, to appropriately color that which is good, bad, and that which is truly bad, good. They are attempting to usurp the foundations of this country by completely ignoring the laws of the Constitution. Our government officials are also looking to other nations in hopes to uphold their decisions based on the improper popular decisions of foreign nations who never entertained our value system. (That’s like a doctor wanting to get surgical advice from a mortician.) “Well, the French courts ruled this way, so let’s try that,” or, “The U.N. seems to think like this, so let’s do that.”

Sadly, the U.S. Constitution has clearly become inconvenient to those who value freedom as well. We work all day, everyday to pay our taxes so that those we’ve elected to office take care of ensuring such freedoms, only to find that these stewards of the people have been asleep on the job. And they’ve slept through some of the most critical legislation in the history of our nation, to the point that they couldn’t even be bothered to read most of this legislation. So now, not only do we have to work to pay our government to do their jobs and provide for our own families, we have to take what precious time we have left to make our voices heard, let them know that we are indeed monitoring them, and in some instances, even doing their job for them. (see CNN article here) Talk about an inconvenience, right?

This nation was indeed founded on that which is good. It IS indeed unique—unique in that we were formed for the purpose of giving true freedom to the people, and empower the people to hire government officials to work for them to aid in ensuring such freedoms are upheld. I agree, it isn’t convenient to have to make decisions for ourselves and not have everything dictated to us. And it’s not convenient to have to take time to get educated about issues and candidates. But it’s our freedom to do so just as much as it’s our freedom to fail in doing so. While the constitution may be an inconvenient document for both good and evil causes, only a proactive inconvenience will ensure that it stands for that which we truly want. Freedom.

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

What’s so special about the U.S. Constitution to the LDS faith?

No other government on the face of the earth has created a document which is designed to protect the free agency of mankind more than the U.S. Constitution.

The war in heaven occurred based on one particular issue, the ability to use agency freely.

The sole purpose of a government establishment in this nation is to enforce the existence of freedoms so that we may indeed use our agency. Without a government properly established to protect our unalienable rights to choose, we would become nothing more than the third of the hosts of heaven who elected the alternative plan. Our “lives, liberty and our possession of property” is what is most critically tied to our exercise of freedom. Any government that would uphold our freedoms must be willing to uphold the freedoms in all 3 of these aspects.

If our property is forced to be taken from us and allocated to someone else, where is our choice for charity? If we do not control property, which God has bestowed upon us, then we have nothing to govern here on earth and thus nothing to exert our freedom of choice upon. If we are forced as to what to believe, then we have no agency over what we do and say. In order for there truly to be opposition in all things, both sides of an opposition must be effectively accessible. This does not occur if freedom of choice does not exist.

However, given that a government is given a great deal of power, although bestowed such by a free people, there is still the tendency to abuse such power. (See D&C 121:39) This is why the U.S. Constitution is so important not only to our nation, but to rest of the world and to our eternal lives.

The U.S. Constitution was much more than a brave act of a few men centuries ago. It was an act that the Lord had a great hand in orchestrating. We are told that the Lord himself raised up these men for that particular time to create such a document, that the generations to follow may have true freedom to live His Gospel. (See D&C 101:80)

Today we have the Constitution as a measure by which we can see for ourselves if an act of government is just or unjust. What are we given such a measure for if we are not to proactively hold our government accountable in such a manner as to ensure that the Constitution is upheld as the benchmark of all government actions?

This land today would easily be at the mercy of a monarchy or a communistic ruler if it were not for the blood and sacrifice of our forefathers. It would not foster the freedom to act that we now enjoy today. It’s ironic however, that the very freedoms the Constitution protects are the very ones we hesitate to use on our own behalf in order to ensure that this nation remains as the Lord would desire.

Ezra Taft Benson is one of many prophets who reverences the U.S. Constitution.

Let us understand, the freedom to choose is not a right bestowed upon us by a government. It is bestowed upon us eternally by a loving Heavenly Father. He has only given us more ability to choose by providing us with this nation and has inspired the Constitution to come forth that our freedoms may not be held in bondage by any of the hosts of heaven who would fight for Satan’s plan. However, when all is said and done, the Constitution amounts to nothing more than a piece of paper if our lives are not focused on protecting the freedoms that “heavenly banner” reinforce for us. Just as the Book of Mormon fails to benefit our lives without our focus of it, so too does the U.S. Constitution become meaningless without our brave stands to hold it high.

There are countless injustices which have been performed by the hands of our government which threaten to usurp the wisdom of the U.S. Constitution. These wrongs can only be righted if we are willing to raise our modern-day Titles of Liberty in the form of letters, e-mails, faxes, editorials, and every other conceivable proactive acts which will hold the government accountable to this inspired document. Not having an understanding of the Constitution so that you are able to defend it, recognize its truths, and recognize when it’s been violated is just as much a transgression as other deadly sins of omission such as church and temple attendance, scripture reading, personal and family prayers, etc. Sins of omission are not the lesser sins. In fact they tend to have the greater impact on the execution of sins of commission.

As we read the Book of Mormon over and over again, and we see the same story unfold numerous times, do we not wonder why we were given these particular accounts to read?
Why, in spite of the Jaredites being on this land so much longer than the Nephites, do we have so much more Nephite history than the Jaredites? Could it be because the Nephite government better represented our own today—that of self-governing? Why are these scenarios of government overthrow brought to our attention again and again? If you read them from the perspective of how the government’s violation of the law of the land was the undoing of the prosperity of the people (both spiritually and materially) then perhaps you can appreciate just how important this aspect is to our salvation as well. (See 3 Nephi chapters 1-7)

We have the truth of the Gospel. We have covenanted to build up His kingdom here on the earth. We must be proponents of freedom in everything we do and not embrace one iota of socialism. The Constitution in this land makes that possible as it allows us to follow eternal truths. We must fully support both the Gospel, and the armor which helps protect the Gospel in order to bring the Gospel unto all.


Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

Are We Accessories to a Crime?

(In the interest of full disclosure, for today’s topic I have drawn heavily from the scriptures, H. Verlan Anderson’s book “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen” and President Benson’s talk, “The Constitution—A Heavenly Banner.”)

In Doctrine and Covenants 104: 17 it reads “For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea I prepared all things, and have given unto children of men to be agents unto themselves.”

There is so much in this one verse that is relevant to many of the policies and laws that we are seeing today. And as they relate to the Constitution I felt that it was important to discuss.

The elements of freedom which we must possess in order to accomplish our purposes are 1) life, 2) liberty, 3) property and 4) knowledge.

Wealth, or organized raw materials, is an essential ingredient of freedom: First, because our very survival depends upon access to such things as food, clothing, and shelter; secondly, because the right and control of property permits us to increase our physical and mental powers almost without limit. By utilizing tools, machinery, equipment, and harnessing electrical, nuclear, and other forms of energy, our ability to achieve our purposes is raised to the ‘nth’ power.

If you deny a person access to the necessities of life, of course he will die. If you deny him these necessities unless he does what you say, you can make him your slave because most of us will obey nearly any command to remain alive. As Alexander Hamilton has said: “A power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power of his will.” –Federalist Papers No. 79

The Lord makes it clear that we have plenty on this earth for ALL and even some to spare. Considering that our Creator loves us more than we can ever fathom, has unfathomable mansions and kingdoms prepared for us, and desires us to be happy, stating that He has enough for us ALL and them some is not to be taken lightly. It is clear that the right to and the control of property is a basic element of freedom and is vital as life and liberty, neither of which are of any value without it.

When we deprive another of this element by stealing, destroying, or otherwise denying him the right to control what he owns, we have to this same extent diminished his freedom and violated the laws of God and man. On the other hand, when we use the strength of our minds and bodies to organize wealth and provide ourselves and others with the necessities of life, or the means of achieving life’s goals, we are obeying God’s commandments to work and be charitable with what we produce.

So, do WE as members of the Church of Jesus Christ deprive another of one of the most basic elements of freedom, that of the control of that which he owns? As stated in my post this past Monday, the prophets have made clear that we cannot be neutral with regards to the behavior of our government. If we can elect our leaders then we are responsible for their actions which protect and endorse freedom or destroy it. As such, if there are actions which we do not endorse, we must use “all our influence” to wash our hands clean of such actions. So, as long as our government is not stealing, destroying, or otherwise denying our citizens the right to control and protect what he owns, we’re innocent. The problem, such actions are being perpetuated by our elected officials, and unless each and every one of us has made it perfectly clear with all our influence that we do not endorse such actions, then the sin is upon our individual heads. In fact freedom IS the power and opportunity to affect the freedom of others.

I realize that this is indeed an inconvenient truth for us to embrace. There is so much that we would rather be doing other than “babysitting” our government. But who will contend that the Lord uses one moral law when the individual acts alone and still a different law when he acts jointly with other whether in a gang, a mob, OR a government.

Doctrine and Covenants 134: 2 reads: “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.”

Property is derived from labor. Moral man has always recognized that the wealth produced by a person belonged to him. (At least that’s what Apostle Verlan Anderson says, but I’m afraid that there are very few government leaders who truly believe that now.) Theft, robbery, arson and all other forms of TAKING or DESTROYING another’s property have always been regarded as both evil and criminal. If government uses force to accomplish the immoral purposes of depriving another of his property, and we do not stand up to promote an act to the contrary, then our hands are not clean before our Lord.

While I had intended to explore some examples of our government leaders stealing and plundering, I found that each instance required an entire synopsis on it’s own. Thus it was far too lengthy to be a “part” of this exploration. Instead I have chosen to provide you with the fundamental counsel from our prophets and simply allow you to connect the dots. As you do so, consider this… If there is an instance in which the lawful possession and protection of property of any kind is being compromised, then it is indeed a criminal act. So consider certain taxes, threats to eliminate possession of guns or any other like property, actions of The Federal Reserve, funds allocation for “bail outs,” not protecting our borders from incoming criminals which would rob us of our safety, property or lives, etc. Decide what you need to voice your opposition or support on an issue and then “go and do” in order that your hands may be clean.

The right and duty of self-government provides a rare opportunity to labor for the cause of freedom, to learn firsthand the operation of the law of retribution and to cooperate with the Lord in enforcing it.

If the Lord is going to hold each of us morally accountable for every coercive act of government of which we approve, it is of the utmost important the we be able to accurately discern the good from the evil in government action. We accomplish this through a test of conscience.

On of the most approved and righteous of all callings is to INCREASE freedom by disseminating truth, thereby increasing men’s ability to reach their goals. Are you willing to accept such a calling?

Yours In Freedom,

Kellene

Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved. You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.