Founding Fathers Revamped

OK, so I know that it's been quite some time, and for anyone who actually cares, we're going to pick up where we left off.

Now a sophomore at the wondrously LDS school that is BYU-Idaho, I'm still in the stages of somewhat understanding religious takes on history and our everyday lives. Currently, I'm picking up some classes I neglected to take last year, the main one being FDAMF101, or the founding of our nation for dummies (AKA, those who didn't pass their AP classes in high school). Ah, the tasteless jokes are back. Huzzah...

Anyways, first off, I have to say that this professor, Brother Marshall as he's known, is going to make this one of the most stellar classes this semester. He's got one of those ways of connecting with students while spouting facts and cracking jokes here and there to make sure we're still awake. He's awesome--the end.

That aside, let's get started with the first fact that I didn't know about our Constitution: it was founded on God's Will. Yessiree, the Lord inspired the writers and signers of the Constitution to do just as the history books wrote.

Through a series of talks and journals spoken/written by members of the LDS Church, the word "inspired" is used about twenty-nine times. The largest point they want to make is that God told Washington, Jefferson, Adams and the whole clan to get together and write the famous "We the People..."

OK, now, not to sound contrite or pompous, but doesn't sound a bit overextended of the Lord to hold our hand through every major even in U.S. history. I honestly don't mean to sound rude or uncaring of religions, but remember this a blog; opinions will be shared.

So here's my biggest thing: it's fine of the Lord had a say in the Constitution. What bothers me is this quote from Brigham Young in one of his Discourses. It discusses what will happen when our Constitution looks like it's in trouble.

Here it is: "When the Constitution of the Untied States hangs, as it were, upon a single thread, they will have to call for the "Mormon" Elders to save it from utter destruction; and they will step forth and do it.

"The present Constitution, with a few alterations of a trifling nature, is just a good as we want; and if it is sustained on this land of Joseph, it will be done by us and our posterity."

Does it seem a little self-centered to assume that the U.S. Constitution, a document giving rights and freedoms to every living human within the walls of Lady Liberty; a group of people as diverse as snowflakes; people with varying religions beliefs... This document will be saved by one singular religion? One people–one group of single-minded people–will stand and save the document that gives us all the rights to be our own people. This document will not be saved by the Catholics, the Protestants, the Evangelicals, the Baptists, the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or a combination of any and all (sorry for the unmentioned)? No, it shall be saved be one people.

It just seems odd. There are over a dozen articles in the book given to us (the students) by our professor explaining God's hand in the Constitution and how, when it hangs so loosely on a thread, as they put it, it will be saved by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I promise with all my heart that no offense should be taken by any statement that I've made. If anyone reading this (I know, big dream) and wishes to further explain this to me, I would be grateful. It's mostly my curiosity that pressures thoughts such as these. Please, help me understand.

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Citations for the quote:

                           – Brigham Young, JD 2:182, February  18, 1855, Latter Day Prophets Speaks. Pg. 230