Federalist 51

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” James Madison wrote these words in one of his many Federalist Papers, this one being the 51^st. However he knew that men were not angels and that a government was necessary for the liberty and freedom of the American people, but what kind of government would best meet the needs of the people.

The founding fathers had experienced hardships due to their last government, and they wanted to avoid these hardships by establishing a more perfect government. But how were imperfect men supposed to establish and administer a government?  When one man gets too much power he may begin to think more for himself instead of for his people. This was something they wanted to avoid and so they established a government that would not give one man all the power.

            That is why James Madison proposed a government with a separation of powers.   That is why they established a government with three branches.  So that they could have a separation of powers and no one man could have too much power.  Madison states that “each department should have a will of its own.” Each branch of government does have a will of its own but they also support each other.

            Madison continues with the reason for having these separate departments: “This policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public. We see it particularly displayed in all the subordinate distributions of power, where the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other -- that the private interest of every individual may be a sentinel over the public rights. These inventions of prudence cannot be less requisite in the distribution of the supreme powers of the State.”

            The three separate branches allow each other to check the work of the other.  The Judicial branch can check on the Legislative branch.  The Legislative branch can check on the Executive branch.  This action promotes honesty and integrity in each of the branches.  This way the power is divided and is also in check by others so that one man cannot take all the power and make selfish decisions.

Inspiration and the Constitution

                The Constitution of the United States of America is often grouped with the Declaration of Independence.  These documents outline our rights as Americans.

                “WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” wrote the framers of the Declaration of Independence. It is clear to see that God played a part in the lives of the founding fathers; otherwise the above mentioned truths would not be self-evident.  I believe that He did inspire these men in writing the Declaration and the Constitution.

In D&C 101:77 He states that He established the Constitution and that we should maintain it “for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.”  By stating that it is to protect the rights of “all flesh” we can see that God was looking after all of His children, and today we can see the far reaching effects of the American Constitution.  Many nations have adopted it or used it as an example for their own constitution to protect their rights.

We are supposed to maintain the constitution “according to just and holy principles.”  Anything just or holy can be considered truth, and God is the Father of all truth.  So I believe that God inspired our forefathers to create a constitution built upon the principle of truth.

                Another thing about the Constitution that proves to me that it was inspired is that it is a government ran by the people. The scriptures say it is not expedient that we should have a king, and I believe God inspired the founding fathers to establish a government for the people and by the people.

In the Book of Mormon it says that this land will be “a land of liberty,” a land where “every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike,” (2 Nephi 10:11 and Mosiah 29:32).  These are ancient prophesies that have been fulfilled through the Constitution.  The Constitution is what guarantees our liberties and rights.

I believe God played a part in the lives of all the men who played a part in developing the Constitution.  They were raised as a God fearing people.  They prayed, they went to church, and they read the Bible.  I believe they sought God’s help in the things they did. I believe He did inspire them.

All the experiences and trials they went through helped them to create a “more perfect union.”  The freedoms and liberties we enjoy now come in part because of the hardships and injustices that colonists faced more than 200 years ago.  I am grateful that God inspired these wise men to write the Constitution and establish this great country.