This section contains links and materials to make possible a self-guided study of the Constitution of the United States of America.
National Center for Constitutional Studies
A great place to start is with the National Center for Constitutional Studies. This organization was started by W. Cleon Skousen many years ago. Earl Taylor, the gentleman who runs it now, began attending every lecture he could until one day Bro. Skousen asked him to fill in for him at a lecture he would not be able to attend. Mr. Taylor then began lecturing along with Bro. Skousen; he now runs the whole program in the late Bro. Skousen's absence.
Links
- Read the Constitution
- Download The Constitution at a Glance (PDF). This is a helpful reference you may wish to print out.
- 14 FREE Sample Lessons
- View the Making of America Seminar online, for free! This seminar cost me $25 to attend in person, if I recall. This is a great deal! You will learn a lot! Be sure to download the free Seminar Guide (PDF) before you begin!
- Read Our Ageless Constitution.
- Consider purchasing a Study Course to continue learning.
- Invite friends and family to your home to view the videos above, and discuss proper Constitutional principles with them.
Also Consider: Purchasing pocket Constitutions to give away! 4th of July! Flag Day! Any day!
Hillsdale College
This was originally a 10-week online course, but now all content has been archived and is available at your convenience. Each lesson has a 40-minute lecture, plus lots of other goodies, such as downloadable study material.
Links
- Take the free online course Constitution 101: The Meaning and History of the Constitution.
ConstitutionPreservation.org
From the website:
Michael Badnarik is a Constitutional scholar, and the author of Good to be King, a beginner's guide to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Michael travels across the country teaching his highly acclaimed class on the Constitution to growing numbers of people suddenly interested in "life, liberty, and property". He is also available to speak to community groups on a variety of subjects related to private property and individual rights.
Michael was the 2004 Libertarian nominee for President of the United States, 2006 Libertarian congressional candidate in Texas, and was elected President of Continental Congress 2009, which met in St. Charles, Illinois to document government violations of the Constitution. (see www.ArticlesOfFreedom.us)
Michael has been studying the Constitution, the founding fathers, and the history of the American Revolution for 29 years.
Links
- Watch Mr. Badnarik school over 100 sheriffs on the Constitution. Michael Badnarik: Rattling the Sheriffs' Cages About the Constitution (YouTube, 45 minutes)
- Download Chapter 2 of Mr. Badnarik's book entitled RIGHTS VS PRIVILEGES (PDF)
- Watch Mr. Badnarik's 8-hour Constitution Class! (online)
- Be sure to check out the other videos in the Media Archive on the website, and read the articles he has written.
Latter-day Conservative
To me, there is nothing more persuasive than the words of the prophets, except the words of the Lord (see Scripture, below). Here, you will find talks, speeches, and proclamations by the Lord's chosen servants on all kind of issues, especially freedom and the Constitution. Some are by trusted Latter-day Saints who were not prophets or apostles. Here are a few that I have found especially relevant:
Links
- 100 Things Destroying America by W. Cleon Skousen, 1982.
- 101 Constitutional Questions To Ask Candidates by W. Cleon Skousen, 1980.
- A Course on Liberty NOTE: This is a set of links to multiple articles by multiple authors on "Freedom, God-given Rights, The Proper Role of Government, The Constitution, Free Enterprise, Secret Combinations, God’s Law, Zion and more."
- The Book of Mormon and the Constitution (notes) by W. Cleon Skousen. NOTE: This is the outline and notes for a speech given the afternoon of January 14, 1990 at an L.D.S. Ward located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints by Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, July 1972, 59.
- Jesus Christ – Gifts and Expectations by Ezra Taft Benson, President of the Council of the Twelve. New Era, May 1975, 16. NOTE: The Constitution is the fifth gift listed.
- Quotes from the Prophets on the Constitution, America, Liberty, etc…
- Stand Up For Freedom by Ezra Taft Benson.
- What is Left? What is Right? by W. Cleon Skousen, Ensign Publishing Company, 1962.
Stephen Pratt's "Know Your Liberty" Series
Stephen Pratt… taught full- time in the public school system for six years and then taught for one year in a private school. Seven years were spent working for the National Center for Constitutional Studies under the direction of renowned historian, W. Cleon Skousen, where Pratt devoted his time to research and teaching in many locations in the United States and two foreign countries.
During the spring of 2005 Stephen was urged by friends to teach a class devoted to American principles and problems. The very successful 16 week course has developed into a program called “Liberty and Learning.” The lessons focus on understanding our history and how it relates to current events.
This link contains all of the following videos:
- Principles of Good Government: A Guide to Measuring Issues and Candidates (01:16:08)
- Empire of Debt: What Has the Government Done to Our Money (01:34:06)
- America's First Founding (1607 to 1789) (01:23:15)
- America's Second Founding (1796 to 1878) (02:07:08)
- America's Third Founding (1945 to still in progress) (01:24:42)
- Original Intent of The Constitution: Limiting and Defining the Powers of Government (53:28)
- To Ourselves And Our Posterity (01:12:00)
- ADDITIONAL VIDEOS section contains videos from Glenn Beck, Dennis Prager, David Barton From Wallbuilders.com, Judge Andrew Napolitano, and Thomas Woods.
Scripture
The Lord has said some very specific things about the Constitution. We would do well to familiarize ourselves with these few verses, and give thought to what they mean.
Click on a scripture reference to view the verses in context. Be sure to read the relevant footnotes.
4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you aree, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.
10 Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil.
77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.
54 Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.
Other
The following are miscellaneous articles, videos, and websites that are relevant to the Constitution and the fact that we have strayed from its principles.
Articles
- Church Leader Says: “Military in Almost Complete Control of Government” (Mormon Chronicle)
- That Troublesome Word: Sovereignty by Stephen Pratt. (Liberty and Learning)
- Upholding the Constitution by Orson Scott Card (The Ornery American)
Videos
- America: Freedom to Fascism. A film by Aaron Russo, 2006.
- The Prophets and the Constitution by Bryan Turner. An excellent video by my good friend.
- YouTube channel Ask the Founders about America!. NOTE: While the content seems to exclusively feature Earl Taylor from NCCS, I am not sure if this is an official channel.
- ESSENTIAL VIDEOS TO GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY OF LIBERTY AND THE THREATS AGAINST IT (Freedom Central)
Websites
- Inspired Constitution NOTE: An LDS website, with links and info. on the Constitution.
- The John Birch Society NOTE: The JBS are long-time advocates of the Constitution.
- The Miracle of America. "Coming Soon: "A Basic Course on the US Constitution" By Sharon Skousen Krey"