To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from more than 14,600 congregations in the United States participated in a joint Sunday School class May 31 to discuss the importance of the Constitution and other fundamental documents.
The lesson was centered around a video and discussion guide titled “Celebrating the Founding of the United States and the U.S. Constitution.”
The video features a 22-minute conversation between President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, both former lawyers with extensive knowledge of the Constitution and long-time religious freedom advocates.
“Religious freedom is especially important, and we see it all around us, in many places, probably everywhere, at some degree of risk,” President Kristofferson said in the video.
Elder Cook added, “I believe the First Amendment was essential to the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
President Christofferson said the Bill of Rights and the Constitutional Amendment expanded freedom by abolishing slavery and giving women the right to vote.
“These fundamental principles are relevant not only to the United States and its people, but also to the world,” he said. “For example, when speaking about the Constitution, the Lord made it clear to the Prophet Joseph Smith that He was committed to having it established “according to just and holy principles, for the rights and protection of all flesh” (D&C 101:77).
Elder Cook said that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are fundamental rights.
“Many of the principles in the[Declaration of Independence]and the Constitution are divinely inspired,” Elder Cook said, adding that the pursuit of happiness as an inalienable right “is about more than just feeling good. It’s about the lifelong pursuit of virtue, not short-term pleasure.”
President Christofferson acknowledged that the Constitution is not a perfect document, but said, “I believe the most important aspect of the Constitution is its role in promoting and protecting the individual moral agency of God’s children everywhere.”
Elder Cook said, “The founding principles of this nation transcend party politics.” He encouraged members to “rejoice together in God’s blessing of freedom and discuss why freedom is important and how we can help it accomplish God’s purposes in this great latter-day work.”
In the videos, the apostles often referenced the teachings of Church President Dallin H. Oaks, a former lawyer, law professor, law clerk to the United States Supreme Court, and Utah Supreme Court Justice.
Latter-day Saints from Florida, Arkansas and Alabama spoke about their experiences with the videos and lessons in a ChurchofJesusChrist.org news release.
At a small chapter in Tampa, Florida, members from nearly every South American country met to discuss the freedoms restricted in their home countries and express gratitude for the religious freedoms they currently enjoy. They said they feel a sense of unity as Latter-day Saints.
“There is more that unites us than what divides us. No matter what is going on in the world…the Savior unites us all,” said Stephen Hatch, president of Dade City Chapter 2 (Spanish) of the Tampa Florida Stake.
Margie Boswell, member of Jones Borough Ward, Searcy Arkansas Stake, said it’s important to talk about these topics with children.
“These are the values we cherish and must protect, and they are the foundation of our freedom,” she said.
Steve Brown, a political science professor at Auburn University, said he thinks about the Constitution every day.
“I think the reason (for the lesson) is…to help people understand that the values that our founders fought for and tried to establish are just as important today,” said Brown, a member of the Columbus Georgia Stake Saugahatchee Ward in Auburn, Alabama. “If you don’t know what they are and protect them, they can be lost.”
