POST 36 RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: THE SOUL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Providential Orchestration and the American Founding

7 min.

America 250 • Religious Liberty • The Restoration

As part of America’s 250th anniversary, the First Presidency invited members of the Church to join in a special fast of gratitude on July 5 — specifically for the divine gift of religious liberty. Their invitation linked the Declaration of Independence with the principle of free exercise, elevating religious liberty to its rightful place among the most sacred blessings God has given this nation.

The Declaration announced civil liberty. The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom announced religious liberty.

Both were authored by “wise men raised up,” and both were essential foundations for the Restoration. Our leaders’ emphasis suggests a desire that we more fully understand this connection — that civil and religious liberties are inseparable, and that both must be defended with vigilance. Religious liberty can be lost. And if it were, the tragedy would be immeasurable.

The American Miracle

The American founding produced many miracles — the Declaration, the Constitution, and a nation prepared for the Restoration. Yet the Founders knew liberty could not endure unless three final pillars were secured:

freedom of conscience.
a merit‑based economy.
a culture grounded in religion and morality.

The first of these — liberty of conscience — would become the soul of the First Amendment.

Jefferson Takes Up the Task

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson crafted not merely a political declaration but a spiritual emancipation — a proclamation that faith must never be coerced, belief must never be compelled, and the human soul must answer only to God. This became the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the clearest articulation of the principle that conscience is sacred and religion flourishes only when protected from state power.

Jefferson’s Statute stands as the bridge between America’s founding and the rise of the Restoration — the capstone of the Founders’ work and the spiritual foundation upon which all later freedoms would stand.

The Battle for Liberty of Conscience

For a decade, Jefferson waged a cultural and political war in Virginia to separate church and state. Accused of impiety and atheism, he nevertheless held a deep conviction in the moral order of the universe. By treating religion as a private matter, he freed his mind from ecclesiastical coercion and enabled himself to think boldly and independently.

Jefferson understood the devastation religious conflict had inflicted on Europe. State religion had produced persecution, corruption, and tyranny. If America repeated those mistakes, liberty would rot at the root.

Rejecting Coercion, Defending Conscience

Jefferson rejected the doctrine of original sin and insisted that human nature could be trusted if conscience remained free. To defenders of state churches, this was heresy — “a mere disguise for atheism.”

To Jefferson, trusting conscience was the foundation of education, liberty, and human dignity. His study of Christian history convinced him that Christ’s teachings had been buried under centuries of ecclesiastical “rubbish.” Only the free exercise of reason could recover their beauty and simplicity.

The Hierarchy’s Fear of Religious Liberty

Throughout Christian history, institutions often responded to dissent with severity. When believers sought to follow personal conscience or claimed divine guidance beyond established creeds, authorities sometimes resorted to coercion, punishment, or exclusion. The harsh penalties for heresy reveal how deeply threatened some institutions felt when confronted with new revelation or independent spiritual inquiry.

A similar dynamic emerged in the 19th century when Joseph Smith and the early Latter‑day Saints were labeled “non‑Christian.” The charge was not simply doctrinal. It reflected anxieties about new scripture, new revelation, and a restored church that did not fit inherited categories. Although the world has changed, echoes of that mindset persist today.

As in times past, when threatened by the exercise of religious liberty by those with whom they disagree, institutions and their spokespersons frequently use their free speech to attack others. Responding with accusations and vitriol rather than introspection, they appear to have appointed themselves arbiters of truth and defenders of sola scriptura.

The First Salvo of Religious Liberty

In the same year he wrote the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson fired the opening shot in the battle for religious freedom. He rejected “the speculations of crazy theologists” and insisted that true Christianity meant following Christ’s ethics “uncontaminated by additions, adulterations, and distortions.”

Jefferson declared that “God himself cannot save a man against his will.” Voluntary religion was the only genuine religion.

The Old World’s Machinery Must Fall

America inherited Europe’s religious systems: state churches, heresy laws, religious taxes, and sectarian political dominance. Eight colonies still had official churches. Dissent was punished. Heresy — including denial of the Trinity — remained a capital offense.

Jefferson refused to rely on temporary tolerance; he wanted every coercive law swept away.

Jefferson and Madison: The Partnership That Changed History

James Madison joined Jefferson in probing the relationship between religion and democracy. Madison warned that the same authority that could establish Christianity could establish any sect. He declared: “Liberty of conscience is the most sacred of all property.” Working together, they dismantled the system of state-supported clergy which had been described by Jefferson as an “artificial aristocracy” that relied on privilege rather than persuasion.

Disestablishment and the Statute

Jefferson’s 1779 effort to disestablish the Episcopal Church culminated in Madison’s 1785 petition, signed by thousands, which “extinguished the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.”

The Statute thundered: “Almighty God hath created the mind free.” And it guaranteed: “No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship… but all men shall be free to profess their opinions in matters of religion.”

Virginia became the first state to fully separate church and state. Massachusetts — the last — did not do so until 1833.

Jefferson’s Foundation and the Restoration

Jefferson warned: “Coerced belief begets habits of hypocrisy and meanness.” Madison insisted conscience must remain free. Their victory broke the machinery of coercion — compulsory tithes, paid state clergy, heresy laws, sectarian dominance — and created the first modern society where belief could flourish without state interference.

Because of Jefferson and Madison:

the Restoration could occur.
the Book of Mormon could be published.
priesthood authority could be restored.
houses of worship could be built.
missionaries could be sent.
the true nature of God and man could be revealed.

In 1789, Madison drafted the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. Washington approved them without changing a word. The First Amendment enshrined Jefferson’s triumph:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

A remarkable assembly of inspired men had cleared the ground so the seeds of freedom — and the Restoration — could take root.

Condensed Quotes from Modern Church Leaders

Neil L. Andersen: Religious freedom reflects a universal human yearning — the desire for respect, humane treatment, and the space to practice beliefs individually or in community.

Quentin L. Cook: Rights are inalienable only when grounded in a Divine Creator. If rights come merely from man, they can be taken by man — which is why religious liberty protects all other human rights.

James E. Faust: Traditional jurisprudence held that God is the source of human rights and government exists to secure them. Secular systems that locate rights in the state risk eroding moral purpose and shared values.

D. Todd Christofferson: Faith cannot be coerced. Religious liberty protects the freedom to seek truth — or reject it — and shields society from state‑imposed belief of any kind.

Bruce R. Hafen: Human rights existed before the state. They come directly from God, and the state’s role is to protect them, not invent them.

Conclusion

Jefferson and Madison did more than secure political rights — they liberated the human soul. By breaking the chains of state religion, they created a nation where conscience could flourish, revelation could move freely, and the Restoration could unfold without coercion or fear.

Their work remains one of history’s greatest gifts to mankind: a fortress of liberty built not on power, but on principle.

Lead‑In to Adam Smith

And remarkably, in the same year Jefferson began his work on religious freedom, Providence raised up another voice whose influence would shape both the Founders and the Restoration — a Scottish moral philosopher whose insights into human nature, markets, and liberty would transform the modern world.

His name was Adam Smith. And his masterpiece, The Wealth of Nations, would become the economic counterpart to Jefferson’s spiritual revolution.

website: americasgranddesign.com

blog: http://www.americasgrand.design

How Does God Accomplish His Work on Earth?

The prophet Isaiah foretells the birth of Christ and the marvelous work and wonder.

Post No. 5 Read Time 6 minutes.

These I will make my rulers. –Abraham

Although American society is more prosperous than ever, skepticism about God’s existence has grown. Christianity in the U.S. has declined over the past 15-20 years but now appears stable, with Christians making up about 60-63% of the population.

Skeptics often struggle to reconcile faith with science, seeking evidence before belief. While many acknowledge the historical Jesus and value his teachings, they reject claims of his divinity and supernatural events like the resurrection. Most skeptics also lack a personal experience with prayer, seeing it as going unheard.

Both believers and non-believers make compelling points. Mill noted that understanding all sides is essential. Atheists argue for restricting religion in government and society, while believers highlight the value of religious morals and accountability to God.

In his Farewell Address (1796), George Washington argued that morality and religion are key to national prosperity. James Madison noted that political institutions rely on self-governance guided by religious principles such as the Ten Commandments. While to some degree ethics can exist apart from religion, dismissing religious belief as unimportant is unfounded.

To broaden our perspective, we need influential thinkers who will revive moral philosophy and reintroduce timeless truths for every generation. Drawing on historic wisdom, they help us balance introspection with life’s challenges and guide us toward ethical ideals rooted in respect for others.

During periods of uncertainty, increasing complexity, and prevailing pride, a close examination of the world reveals that, despite perceptions of divine absence, it is ultimately God who is deserving of the most steadfast loyalty and reverence. As Emerson observed, “Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of God bursts through everywhere.”

Throughout history, prophets, philosophers, and religious leaders have conveyed moral principles which contribute to evolving concepts of human values. Promoting moral truths that broaden human understanding, the belief that all individuals have inherent value, rooted in the idea that “God created man in his image,” emerged early on. Later, the Greeks were inspired with the concept that men and women are naturally meant to use their reason.

Plato argued that the immortal soul recalls knowledge through inquiry, viewing philosophy as rediscovering what was once known. Using priori reasoning, we access truths understood before birth, a view echoed by Joseph Smith who defined such knowledge as “that which was from the beginning.” Plato’s concept of divine ontology included reason, will, and natural law. The integration of Greek rationalism with Judeo-Christian beliefs about human value contributed to natural law theory.

Many influential figures throughout history, such as Cicero, Augustine, Da Vinci, Gutenberg, Columbus, Luther, Newton, Handel, Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Wilberforce, Lincoln, and King Jr., played key roles in human progress across various fields. Collectively, their contributions and those of many others significantly advanced society.

Furthermore, artists, scholars, scientists, and prominent individuals from the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment eras were motivated by the advancement and improvement of mankind. Their contributions, alongside those of parents and committed leaders, facilitated the expansion of individual liberty and the dissemination of knowledge.

Samuel F.B. Morse invented the Morse Code

Enlightenment thinkers, though separated by time and distance, explored the foundations of morality and education, shaping ethical principles that drove intellectual and societal progress. Most believed mankind could understand its purpose through adherence to higher laws, influenced by social contracts, moral agency, religious teachings, classical education, cultural values, universal truths, natural law, popular consent, the combination of Judeo-Christian principles, and common sense. Adherence to these ideals meant that nations would foster progress and virtue.

Using Enlightenment language, Thomas Jefferson stated: “We are not in a world ungoverned by the laws and the power of a superior agent. Our efforts are in his hands, and directed by it; and he will give them their effect in his own time.”

Affirming that we are not left alone in our mortal journey, Jefferson further grounded his ethics in a universal, innate “moral sense” that he believed was given to all human beings by their Creator as the true foundation of morality. Described in scripture as the Light of Christ, the gift of conscience has also been defined as “the spark of divinity.” It is given to every person that comes into the world to help us judge good from evil.

The Founding Fathers initiated revolution and constitutional government, leading to expanded civil and religious liberties, a free-market economy, and pluralism. A participant in the Federalist with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, and America’s first Chief Justice, John Jay, declared, that God works for our good in every circumstance—testing our gratitude in prosperity, our contentment in mediocrity, our submission during misfortune, our faith in darkness, and our steadfastness under temptation. We are called upon to act wisely and trust him with the outcome.

Author John A. O’Brien argues that belief in God’s existence is based not on conscience as a mystical or infallible faculty, but on the moral order of the universe reflected in our conscience’s directive to do right and avoid wrong. Alfred North Whitehead described God as a figure who guides the world through an emphasis on truth, beauty, and goodness, while Francis Bacon believed that denying God diminishes human dignity.

In summary, our founding documents, with the advances of liberty, religious freedom, and economic prosperity, are based on Judeo-Christian and free market principles. The aim of these principles is to foster the development of the individual through liberty and justice founded in righteousness-affirming mutual respect.

Key historical moments, from ancient eras through the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the Second Great Awakening in America, set the stage for religious liberty and the restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith’s birth in 1805 marked a pivotal step in establishing God’s kingdom on the Earth, with many dedicated individuals significantly advancing this work.

Referencing Francis Bacon’s view that deep study removes doubt, I witness that our Father in Heaven is real; that he loves mankind; and that he desires our happiness and return to his presence. Historically, he has chosen key individuals and sent them to this world to help set moral standards, encourage freedom, protect people, and advance human potential.

Finally, in his greatest work of all in behalf of the human family, God sent his Son to bring us immortality through his atonement and resurrection. Thus, our great hope is to be raised in immortality unto eternal life through devotion and dedication to keeping his commandments. This is God’s ultimate work on behalf of mankind.

SUMMARY

Big Idea

Throughout history, the achievements of influential individuals have been woven into a greater divine plan. Directed by God, this plan encourages human progress, the expansion of freedom, and guides mankind toward eternal life. The advancement of liberty, religious freedom, and economic prosperity rests on enduring principles that foster the development of individuals through liberty, justice, and mutual respect.

Key Points

God’s plan unfolds through the actions and contributions of key historical figures, including prophets, religious leaders, philosophers, and innovators, each engaged in his work.

Prominent personalities—such as Adam, Moses, Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Socrates, Columbus, Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Wilberforce, Lincoln, King, and many others—have played pivotal roles in promoting freedom, truth, and the well-being of mankind.

Artists, scientists, and thinkers from the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment inspired progress and helped spread knowledge, while everyday individuals—including parents and dedicated leaders—also contributed to positive change.

The founding documents and principles of democracy in America are rooted in Judeo-Christian values and a free-market economy, aiming to cultivate liberty, righteousness, and individual development.

Major historical events, from ancient civilizations to the Constitutional Convention and religious awakenings, have enabled greater religious freedom and the restoration of spiritual truths.

The Promised Land

Post No. 2 Read Time: 6 minutes.

Moses leads the Israelites, Lehi leaves Jerusalem, Pioneers arrive in the top of the mountains.

America’s Grand Design

There are places I’ll remember all my life, though some have changed.
All these places had their moments, I’ll often stop and think about them. I know I’ll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. In my life I’ve loved them all. –Lennon and McCartney

Places gain meaning from our experiences—homes, parks, hillsides, and neighborhoods become special over time. As Shakespeare said, “a place is honored by the actions that occur there.”

Sacred locations are those valued for their spiritual or lasting significance, such as hospitals, homes, chapels, temples, cemeteries, or lands important to freedom and religion. Social media often highlights moving moments, like an artist returning home or to the setting of a choir, where a love of music began. These special places inspire feelings about faith and identity, reflecting humanity’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.

Lorraine American Cemetery

The Garden of Eden was the original home of Adam and Eve. After their expulsion from the Garden, they settled at Adam-ondi-Ahman in present-day Daviess County, Missouri. This area has been designated as the future site of Zion or the New Jerusalem.

In this sacred place, Adam was told that many nations would come from him, and he would be a leader over them. Despite his age, he gathered his descendants and spoke about their future generations. Never before had one spot of earth been favored with such a meeting.

Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, Missouri

However, Cain killed Abel, and according to the narrative, unrighteousness increased throughout the world. Generations later, the Lord sent a flood to cleanse the earth.

Scripture records that “after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all others.” Such a place needed to be protected. In response to God’s decree, the great continents separated and the ocean rushed in to surround them; the promised place was set apart.

Shortly after the events of the Tower of Babel, a nation known as the Jaredites traveled to the promised land on the condition that only those who served God would be allowed to remain. Over time, their society experienced wickedness and conflict to such a degree that it was eventually destroyed.

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Also recorded in the Book of Mormon, after the Jaredite civilization ended, two families, led by a prophet named Lehi, left Jerusalem around 600 BC and sailed to the New World. Their story, along with the account of their descendants, lasted over one thousand years. It recounts cycles of conflict and righteousness, wars and peace, while also including vivid details of Christ’s visit to America. Following nearly three hundred years of peace, they rebelled against the gospel, fractured into tribes, and became the principal ancestors of the American Indians. Through it all, as prophesied, they faced war, disease, and near destruction.

A thousand years later, an Italian explorer sailing for Spain said divine inspiration drove his journey despite ridicule from others. Similarly, again from the Book of Mormon account, a prophet named Nephi saw the future discovery, colonization, and emergence of a mighty nation.

The cultural and religious freedoms that sprang from the Renaissance and Reformation helped inspire the focus on personal liberty during the Age of Enlightenment, creating a foundation for America as a “first new nation.” Before becoming president, George Washington noted that America’s origins were shaped by intellectual progress and a growing awareness of human rights, making it an opportune time to establish a government.

Also recognizing this unique moment in history, Thomas Paine noted that America represented a fresh start for government, where people could observe its creation firsthand rather than relying on ancient history or guesswork. He wrote, “We are brought at once to the point of seeing government begin, as if we had lived in the beginning of time.”

Washington and Paine could not have anticipated the enduring influence of their contributions. Building upon the legacy of predecessors such as pilgrims, Puritans, patriots, and statesmen, they and their contemporaries played a pivotal role in shaping a foundation for the future. Washington referred to the “singular interpositions of Providence,” which, over millennia, helped establish a political framework ultimately facilitating the “restitution of all things.” Shortly after the Constitutional Convention of 1787 secured fundamental freedoms through the Bill of Rights, Joseph Smith, later known for founding the Restoration movement, was born in Vermont.

Following centuries of meticulous preparation, God was ready to restore his priesthood, his church, its central leadership, and the fullness of the everlasting gospel. The purpose of America was to provide the platform of freedom, the setting wherein all of this was possible. All else takes its power from that one great, central purpose. Noted by Lafayette, and as those who gain knowledge and a testimony of this work will attest, “The welfare of America is closely bound up with the welfare of all mankind.”

In summary, the formation of Western Civilization, the founding of America, and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ can be attributed to two primary factors. Originally, Jesus’ words emerged purely from the Jewish tradition. However, through the machinations of men, many parts of the initial gospel, which included key teachings and covenants, were removed or altered. Secondly, because of what has been lost, many are misled by deception and false traditions. The Book of Mormon plays a central role in the Restoration by reintroducing previously lost teachings intended to benefit people universally.

The Book of Mormon describes America as a land which is choice above all other lands. It is a land reserved for a people who will have Jesus Christ (Jehovah) to be their God. Emphasizing the importance of laws for political and moral order, the book also recounts how two civilizations were destroyed after failing to uphold these standards, highlighting the serious responsibilities that rest upon those living in this promised land.

SUMMARY

Big Idea

The narrative explores the deep significance of sacred places in shaping spiritual, cultural, and national identity, emphasizing how divine guidance and human actions across history set the stage for freedom, faith, and the eventual restoration of the gospel in America.

Key Points

The welfare and destiny of America are intimately linked to the broader spiritual welfare of humanity, supported by the testimonies of influential historical figures.

Places acquire meaning through the experiences and actions that unfold there, becoming sacred due to their spiritual, historical, or personal significance.

Scriptural and historical locations—such as the Garden of Eden, Adam-ondi-Ahman, and sites from the Book of Mormon—are portrayed as pivotal in humanity’s spiritual journey.

Western Civilization and America’s founding were influenced by the ages of Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment, under the direction of Divine Providence.

America’s foundation was uniquely prepared as a place where personal liberty, intellectual progress, pluralism, and religious restoration could flourish, thus facilitating the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the spread of liberty across the globe, and the individual and collective efforts of good people everywhere on behalf of mankind’s general welfare.

The decrees of God warn that whatsoever nation shall possess the promised land shall serve Jesus Christ, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of his wrath comes upon them when they are ripened in iniquity.

Please see: Book of Mormon, 1 Ne. Chapter 13 (pages 23-27).