The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds that the United States Constitution is a divinely inspired document, established by God to ensure the agency of mankind and prepare the way for the Restoration of the gospel. This belief is deeply rooted in modern revelation and the teachings of Church leaders, who have consistently affirmed that the principles enshrined in the Constitution align with eternal truths concerning human freedom, accountability, and the proper role of government. While other religious traditions may revere the Constitution as an important political achievement, the Church uniquely asserts that the hand of God was involved in its creation, making it a sacred foundation for both civil governance and the unfolding of God’s work on earth.

Doctrine & Covenants 101:80 records the Lord’s declaration that He “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom [He] raised up unto this very purpose.” This revelation affirms that the Founding Fathers were divinely guided in their efforts, acting as instruments in the Lord’s hands to bring forth a governmental system based on moral agency and protection of religious liberty. The importance of agency is central to the Church’s understanding of God’s plan, as agency allows individuals to choose righteousness and accept the gospel without coercion. The Constitution, by limiting governmental power and safeguarding individual freedoms, provides the necessary framework for the exercise of agency on a national scale. Verse 77 of the same revelation tells us that the Saints should “importune for redress, and redemption” according to “the laws and constitution of the people, which I [the Lord] have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles” (Doctrine & Covenants 101:77). According to Latter-day Saint legal scholar John W. Welch, the “just and holy principles” referred to here are likely those embodied in the preamble of the Constitution.²⁶⁰

The First Amendment’s protection of religious liberty is particularly significant in the Church’s view of the Constitution’s divine origins. The Restoration of the gospel required an environment in which new religious movements could flourish without state interference. The establishment of a government that prohibited religious persecution enabled the rise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allowing its doctrines to be preached openly and its members to gather and worship freely. While the early Saints still faced severe persecution from individuals and local governments, the Constitution itself provided the legal and moral basis upon which appeals for justice could be made.

The framework of government established by the Constitution aligns with eternal principles of justice and accountability. Doctrine & Covenants 98:5–6 teaches that “whatsoever is more or less than this [constitutional law] cometh of evil,” affirming that the principles of just governance contained within the Constitution are in harmony with God’s will. The system of checks and balances, the separation of powers, and the rule of law are seen as safeguards against tyranny, reflecting the divine order by which power should be exercised righteously. This perspective is unique in that it views the Constitution not merely as a political document but as an inspired safeguard of divine truths. This understanding places the Constitution in the broader context of God’s work, suggesting that its establishment was a necessary precondition for the Restoration of the gospel and the spread of religious truth.

This perspective differs from that of other religious traditions, which may recognize the Constitution as a remarkable human achievement but do not necessarily attribute its creation to divine intervention. While many faiths appreciate the Constitution’s protection of religious freedom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uniquely links its provisions to the fulfillment of divine prophecy and the unfolding of God’s plan. The belief that the Founding Fathers were “raised up” for the specific purpose of drafting the Constitution sets the Church apart in its doctrinal approach to American governance.

The privileges of holding this view are significant. By understanding the Constitution as divinely inspired, members of the Church are encouraged to uphold and defend its principles, fostering a culture of civic responsibility and moral governance. This belief also reinforces the importance of religious liberty, emphasizing the duty to protect freedom of conscience for all people. Moreover, recognizing the Constitution’s divine origins deepens appreciation for the role of agency in God’s plan and strengthens commitment to principles of justice, accountability, and limited government.

The assertion that the United States Constitution is divinely inspired is a defining aspect of the Church’s teachings on governance and freedom. It establishes a theological foundation for the importance of agency, religious liberty, and moral governance while situating the document within the broader framework of God’s divine plan. This belief distinguishes the Church’s view of the Constitution from that of other religious traditions and underscores the privilege of living under a system of government that was divinely ordained to safeguard freedom and facilitate the work of the Restoration.