Just and Holy Principles

Today in Constitution Day in the United States, marking exactly 239 years since the signing of the Constitution in 1787. In conjunction with that, yesterday President Dallin H. Oaks gave a speech at the Washington National Cathedral. He spoke about the Constitution and said, “The Constitution requires us to deal constantly with people who disagree with us. It compels a divided people to build coalitions that allow them to act together for the common good.” His message was that we should work together, especially with those who disagree with us, for the good of everyone. He also taught, “Many different groups—political and cultural—needed to participate to resolve the diversities that had separated us. These different groups included scholars, cultural, civic, and religious organizations, all of which are represented in today’s gathering. Speaking for my own Church, the U.S. Constitution is of special importance to our members. We have a revelation that identifies the Constitution as divinely inspired. This does not mean that every word is inspired, but that it is based on inspired principles.” He then listed five principles that he sees in the Constitution: “First, is the principle that the source of government power is the citizens—what is often called popular sovereignty. Second, is the division of delegated power between the nation and its subsidiary states. A third inspired principle is the separation of powers among the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Fourth, is the cluster of vital guarantees of individual rights and specific limits on government authority such as in the Bill of Rights. Fifth, we see divine inspiration in the vital purpose of the entire Constitution, which is that we are to be governed by law and not by individuals.” Indeed, these principles do compel us to work together as power is separated between different groups, both between the federal and state governments and within the branches of the federal government. The Constiution rejects authoritarian rule and invites the people of the United States to find common ground to protect the rights (which are sometimes in tension) of all.

These principles are related to what the Lord stated in a revelation about the Constitution: “According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, 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” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:77-78). It is interesting to me that each of these five principles that President Oaks mentioned is related to limiting the powers of our country’s leaders, which indeed help to protect the moral agency of the individual and make them accountable for their own actions. His first principle suggests that the government gets power from the people, which of course means that the people can remove leaders from the government (something not possible in authoritarian regimes). The second principle highlights that power of the federal government is limited by the states. His third principle describes the well-known separation of powers between the branches of the federal government. No branch was meant to have all-reaching power. The fourth principle suggests that individual rights must be protected against government power. And the final principle suggests that all individuals—even the leaders, including the president—are to be ruled by law and subject to it. These need for these principles which put limits and checks and restraints on the power of the government is highlighted by this statement from modern scripture: “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:39). We rejoice in the Constitution because it seeks to limit the powers of those in office and protect all citizens from that unrighteous dominion and abuse of power. Though it has not always been successful, we should not lose sight of this vision of a country where the rule of law, not the whims of men in power, is the ultimate authority. As President Oaks stated, “Our loyalty is based on the Constitution and its principles and processes, not to particular office-holders.”