The Constitution* – Sunday, September 19, 1948
Within the week we of America have seen another anniversary of great significance in our history come and go, the anniversary of the Constitution of the United States. It would not be wholly correct to say that this event was passed over without notice, because here and there it was referred to—but to say that it was passed by, unnoticed by many Americans, is conservatively within the facts. We have other days of special designation which mean much less to us in reality, to which we give much more attention, for it is by the very existence of this inspired document and its Bill of Rights that we are guaranteed freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship—indeed, freedom itself.
There are those who have sometimes supposed that the Constitution is a document which represents one period of our history but which has passed its prime purpose. But let someone—anyone—succeed in removing the checks and balances, the restraints and guarantees, the powers and the limitations of power, of the Constitution, and the fallacy of this supposition would quickly appear in the lives of a wiser and sorrier people, who would find that they would have to win freedom all over again. There have also been those who have given it lip service, but who have sought to nullify it in effect; who have supported it in words, but who have set about to by-pass it in practice.
There are also those among us who enjoy its protection, while they seek to undermine its principles. And so we voice again our solemn conviction that “the Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard … founded in the wisdom of God …and “established by the hands of wise men whom the Lord God raised … up, unto this very purpose. May we who enjoy its rights and privileges and blessings be ever earnestly aware of the obligations and responsibilities of living under it. And may God preserve it, and may we ourselves be ever vigilant in preserving it, not only as an historic document, but also as a living instrument of freedom in our own land, and as a symbol of hope and of freedom and of opportunity in all others!
*Revised.
“The Spoken Word,” heard over Radio Station K S L and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, September 19, 1948, 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, EDST Copyright 1945.
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September 19, 1948
Broadcast Number 0,996