The Constitution of the United States was divinely influenced and provides the basis for living together harmoniously in a safe environment that is highly respectful of both the individual and society.

Photo by Michael Brandy

Speaking side by side in first BYU weekly devotional of semester, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson and wife, Sister Sharon Samuelson, tell students that the U.S. Constitution paved the way for restoration of the gospel.

This, in essence, was the message delivered to BYU students on Sept. 11 by Elder Cecil O. Samuelson and his wife, Sister Sharon Samuelson. Speaking side-by-side in the BYU Marriott Center, Elder and Sister Samuelson continued a tradition of addressing students during the first weekly devotional of the fall semester — this one being on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Among the protections of the Constitution "are freedoms we deem to be essential for our personal progress and that of the work of the Lord," said Elder Samuelson, who is president of BYU and a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "We express our gratitude for this wonderful document and our testimony that God did guide those who prepared and drafted it 'by study and also by faith..."' (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118).

Continuing, Elder Samuelson said the events of Sept. 11, 2001, "have caused most of us to reflect on things of great importance that perhaps we too often take for granted. In some important way, our lives on that day changed forever. In this, we continue to mourn for those whose lives were lost and also for their families. Likewise, we will continue to celebrate and remember the many acts of sacrifice, heroism and service that were attached to the tragic events of that fateful day six years ago."

Speaking of what is being called at BYU the "Year of the Constitution," Elder Samuelson endorsed the reading of Linda R. Monk's The Words We Live By and other books that "educate us about the constitution," and added there would be forum assemblies during the fall featuring the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and a historical writer.

Sister Samuelson related how on Sept. 11, 2001, she and Elder Samuelson were in Australia attending a mission presidents seminar. Word was received of the attacks, and "the thoughts of everyone there turned first to their own families and then to the many people from all over the world at 'ground zero,' the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and that hallowed field in Pennsylvania."

Continuing, Sister Samuelson said that during "our time together today we hope to reflect with you on the miracle, opportunities and achievements that have been made possible by the Constitution as well as by the inspired people and blessed circumstances that led to its emergence during the birth of this nation more than two centuries ago."

Sister Samuelson spoke on the drafting of the Constitution, and of the writings of Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve and a former Utah Supreme Court justice. Elder Oaks taught, she related, how unlikely a miracle the Constitution was. The colonies, she added, were deeply divided and the debate during the drafting of the document was "heated and even acrimonious before appropriate compromise and closure were achieved."

Elder Samuelson then quoted from Doctrine and Covenants, Section 101, explaining that "this section of scripture is clearly focused on the U.S. Constitution and yet it apparently asserts that the Constitution of this single land was designed and should be maintained for all and everyone without geographic limitations or restrictions."

How? he asked. He then quoted Elder Oaks: "After two centuries, every nation in the world except six have adopted written constitutions, and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them."

"As Elder Oaks observed, this inspired document has been a major influence for good in providing for the people in many lands an increased understanding of what we regard as God's gifts to His children. We can appropriately hope and pray that the Constitution's influence for good will increase throughout the world as well as in the United States."

Referring to why the Restoration occurred on the American continent, Sister Samuelson explained: "A partial answer might be that in 1830 there was perhaps no other place on earth where conditions, including the inspired Constitution, laws and protections, were such that the work and the gathering necessary for the establishment of the Church could occur."

Elder Samuelson said that while the Prophet Joseph Smith loved the Constitution and considered it inspired, he also was aware of its limitations. Elder Samuelson spoke of the "great fundamentals" of the Constitution.

"Let me briefly detail the five Elder Oaks has mentioned:

• "The separation of powers in the three branches of government.

• "The division of powers between the states and the federal government.

• "The Bill of Rights.

• "The principle of popular sovereignty.

• "The rule of law and not of men."

Elder Samuelson urged the audience to study and learn the Constitution. "I mention this because I think there is a great temptation to speak somewhat authoritatively about this remarkable document while not really knowing its particulars."

Elder and Sister Samuelson, toward their closing remarks, spoke of the "right to privacy" that is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but has been deemed by some granted in the courts.

"First, in a real sense, the idea that anything is completely private or secret is largely illusionary," Sister Samuelson said. Nothing is hidden from heaven, she added.

"Thus, our integrity and loyalty to basic principles must govern our lives even when we believe we are not on stage."

In his closing remarks, Elder Samuelson added that "what we do when we are not aware that anyone is watching is vital to our progress and who we are. Remember the injunction from Proverbs, 'For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.'"

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