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At the beginning of the shut downs in 2020, I mentioned to my brother that it is unconstitutional to shut down churches. He is a professor at a University and has taught there for many years. His response was: “It is not unconstitutional.” Me: “It most definitely is.” He: “Show me where it says it in the Constitution.” Me; “ First Amendment and I would say 14th Amendment section 1. I wonder, have you even read the Constitution?” No response to my question to this day. You see I moved here from another country as did he. I fell in love with America, the American Dream, the freedoms we enjoy here. We so often hear people, especially politicians, talk about supporting the constitution, even when they support something that is unconstitutional. Do we as citizens of this great nation understand the Constitution in order to support it and vote people into office who support the Constitution as well?

Ezra Taft Benson, the 15th United States Secretary of Agriculture during Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency, asked in a speech given in 1987: “Have we read The Federalist papers? Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it?

As Jefferson said, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free … it expects what never was and never will be” (Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 Jan. 1816).”

Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice said: “A constitution is the foundation of government. It provides structure and limits for the exercise of government powers. The United States Constitution is the oldest written constitution still in force today. Though originally adopted by only a small number of colonies, it soon became a model worldwide. Today, every nation except three have adopted written constitutions."

With all the shut downs we experienced, do we know the limits the constitution provides for government powers?

A friend of ours, who holds a PhD in Constitutional Law, who also ran on the Constitution ticket as vice president in 2016, was interviewed by the New American news. Are we part of the generations who have no idea about the constitutional principles?

The New American asked: “Why are you running for vice president on the Constitution Party ticket?”

Scott Bradley: “My entire life I have been dedicated to the effort to restore limited constitutional government. I did not seek this office, and I was surprised when I was tapped by Darrell [Castle] to be his running mate. This is a wonderful opportunity that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with God and with the marvelous principles of the Constitution with which we’ve been bequeathed. We’ve got to educate the people. I think we’re looking at several generations that have passed now that have no idea about constitutional principles, how our government is supposed to work, what freedom really means, and that kind of thing. Jefferson spoke often about the need for an informed and educated people in order for freedom to work. That’s why education is so important, and I’m grateful that, thanks to this opportunity, I get to talk about the principles of liberty to lots of people, every single day.”

Scott Bradley still educates others on the constitution every single day, you can find him on youtube.

As Dallin H. Oaks said in a speech in April 2021, the first divinely given principle in the Constitution is that the source of government power is the people.

The Constitution is a timeless document that is as relevant today as it was the day it was finished. I am so pleased that Roundup will have a Religious Freedom and The Constitution Forum on June 25th, 7pm at the City park by the stage. It is imperative that we become even better educated about constitutional principles, how our government is supposed to work, what freedom really means, how can we unite as a nation rather than become divided, and how we can make a difference supporting this divinely inspired document we call The Constitution of the United States of America.

Beate Frome

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