Mormons & Founding Documents
Jonathan Rowe on Jul 19th 2008
I believed that Mormons held the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to be “inspired” in a similar sense that sacred scripture was divinely inspired. Brad and Ray — American Creation’s resident Mormons — informed me that this isn’t quite true. They say Mormons believe the US Founding and its documents were divinely inspired in some sense but not at the same level as sacred scripture. I’d like them or some other learned Mormon to clarify in a post as I think it will make for informative discussion.
Here is a typical source, from our friend John Lofton, discussing [among other things] Mormonism and the Founding:
Q: Well that’s another aspect that I hadn’t asked you about and that is that Mormonism believes or teaches basically that these founding documents of our country are pretty much sacred scripture which of course no real Christian could ever believe, correct?
A: I’m not sure exactly what you’re asking there.
Q: The founding documents, The Declaration of Independence, they pretty much consider them almost sacred scripture whereas no Christian could actually consider the founding documents to be sacred.
A: Well that’s exactly right and that’s a good point. We test all things in light of Scripture and hold fast to that which is good. So the final repository for faith and practice in a Christian world view is the word of God and everything then is tested in light of Scripture and we hold fast to that which is good.
I would also note that Mormonism is a great analogy to the religious beliefs of America’s key Founders. As the American View website says: “’Bible Answer Man’ Says Mormons Not Christians; Use Our Words But With Different Meanings.” The same thing can be said of America’s key Founders. They often used “Christian terminology” that masked heterodox sentiments. According to a strict orthodox Trinitarian view that holds Mormons not to be “Christian,” even though Mormons call themselves “Christians,” America’s key Founders — Washington, J. Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, G. Morris and a few others — were not “Christians” even though they at times called themselves “Christians” and presented their heterodox theology under the auspices of “Christianity.”
Filed in The Belfry, The Bureau
Scripture comes from prophets of G-d, while inspiration can come to anyone about any topic. There might even be, such as the U.S. Constitution, inspiration of such a high caliber that it can be considered almost scriptural in importance. By the way, such a high regard for the U.S. Constitution comes from Scriptural statements of LDS Prophets. It is an interesting thought that if Mormons were to “vote” (more like sustain) the U.S. Constitution as Scripture, it could become such. There is the problem that it wasn’t written by prophets or apostles, although that doesn’t take it completely out of the equation; although I can’t think of any examples otherwise. While Scripture can be binding on the “Body of the Church,” inspiration can be of significant use without any actual binding authority.
I would agree with Brad and Ray that Mr. Lofton’s claims are a bit overstated in terms of the Mormon’s view of the Constitution of the United States. The language used in LDS scripture stresses the “principles” of the Constitution that support freedom, and rights to “all mankind” and are “eternal”. There is reference to the Lord “raising up” “wise men” to establish such principles as the law of the land but nowhere is the wording of the Constitution said to be the voice of the Lord or anything to that nature. It is the spirit of the Constitution, the principles of freedom and human rights to rich and poor alike, that is the value.
A great article to get the overall feel for the Mormon view of the Constitution and their relationship to U.S. patriotism is an essay by Hugh Nibley, “The Abuses and Uses of Patriotism” http://farms.byu.edu/publications/bookschapter.php?bookid=&chapid=308
Here are a few cited quotes in that article, again notice the distinction between the principles espoused in the Constitution that apply to all mankind as opposed to some sort of sacred reverence specific to the document as it applies to the United States:
(Joseph Smith) “I am the greatest advocate of the Constitution of the United States there is on the earth. In my feelings I am always ready to die for the protection of the weak and oppressed in their just rights.”
The genius of the Constitution is not that it guarantees every man a chance to “succeed,”… but that it gives the same inviolable rights and immunities to rich and poor alike, the only qualification for their enjoyment being their humanity—they are human rights pure and simple; because it “guarantees to all . . . equal, coherent, and indefeasible rights,” says the Prophet Joseph; “. . . hence we say, that the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard.”
(Brigham Young) “The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the framers of the Constitution were inspired men from on high to do that work. But was that which was given to them perfect, not admitting of any addition whatever? No. . . . They laid the foundation, and it was for after generations to rear the superstructure upon it. It is a progressive—a gradual work.”
(Joseph Smith) “The Constitution is not a law unto us, but it makes provision for us whereby we can make laws.”
Thanks for this!
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