206 - U.S. Constitution is Critical to Freedom Everywhere I Church History Matters I Religion & Politics

Church History Matters

Scripture Central

Religion & Spirituality:christianity, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 May 2026

⏱️ 69 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode of Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore the Latter-day Saint perspective on the divinely inspired nature of the United States Constitution as taught in the Doctrine and Covenants. What did Joseph Smith and early Church leaders think about the Constitution? What does it mean that God “established” the Constitution? Why is it applicable to all nations? And how should modern disciples understand these revelations today? Together, Scott and Casey dive into key passages from the Doctrine and Covenants, including Sections 98 and 101, while unpacking the historical context surrounding religious liberty, agency, and the role of constitutional government in God’s plan. They also address common misunderstandings, modern political assumptions, and how faithful Saints can approach these teachings with both conviction and nuance. Whether you’re interested in Church history, constitutional principles, or restored doctrine, this episode offers thoughtful insights into one of the most discussed themes in Latter-day Saint scripture.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Religion and politics.
0:02.3	The two things you're never supposed to discuss, right?
0:04.5	It can never be talked about at Thanksgiving.
0:06.8	All of the revelations that discuss the Constitution
0:09.5	take place in the context of the settlement of Jackson County.
0:12.9	Joseph Smith didn't actually have a lot to say about government until he personally
0:18.2	encountered legal challenges, flat out declaration from the Lord that he played a role in the creation of the laws and rights that are found in the Constitution.
0:28.6	The Lord declares that slavery was not in life with Justin Holy Principle.
0:33.6	It's not all hand-holding and lollipops in that document, right? Like, what about stuff like that?
0:38.3	These are not happy times for the Saints, and that may be underselling it a little bit.
0:44.3	Today, every nation except three have adopted written Constitution.
0:49.3	Yeah, and in verse 79, he pretty directly calls out one major problem with the Constitution when he says...
0:56.0	We want to welcome you all to another episode of Church History Matters.
1:02.1	If you've been enjoying our Word of Wisdom series, thank you for watching.
1:07.5	And today we're actually going to do something a little different.
1:10.1	We're going to take a
1:11.1	quick break in our Word of Wisdom series to do a special early release episode. Casey, tell them why.
1:18.4	Yeah, yeah. I mean, we don't often do special episodes, but as we approach the 250th anniversary
1:25.6	of the United States Declaration of Independence,
1:28.9	the first presidency has made a special request that we take some time in the next few weeks
1:34.1	to consider the importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
1:39.1	For most of you, this will probably take place on the last Sunday in May of 2026.
	...

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