Elder Dallin H. Oaks preaches protection of the Constitution


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SALT LAKE CITY -- One of America's historic moments took place in Philadelphia 223 years ago Friday: 39 of our Founding Fathers signed the Constitution.

Friday night, Utahns celebrated in Salt Lake's Tabernacle, where they were addressed by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Oaks speaks on importance of the US Constitution

Patriotic music rang through Tabernacle as some 4,000 gathered for the tribute. The University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics sponsored the event and Elder Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court Justice and now member of the LDS Chruch's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, delivered the keynote address.


Some of the things said by various persons in recent public discourse cause me to urge that we be more careful in the way we throw around the idea that something is unconstitutional. A constitution should not be used as a weapon to end debate.

–Elder Dallin H. Oaks


Elder Oaks urged caution when speaking about the supreme law of our land.

"Some of the things said by various persons in recent public discourse cause me to urge that we be more careful in the way we throw around the idea that something is unconstitutional. A constitution should not be used as a weapon to end debate," Elder Oaks said.

He talked of the division of powers between the nation and the states.

"The dominance of state law will also be changed if, after full review, federal courts decree that a state law on marriage is invalid under the United States Constitution," he said.

The former justice also spoke about the Constitution's guarantee of the free exercise of religion.

"Many of the battles over the extent of religious freedom have involved government efforts to impose upon the practices of small groups like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons; recent experiences suggest adding Muslims to that select company of religious minorities," Elder Oaks said.

Elder Oaks urged Americans to practice civility and tone down the discourse. We all, he said, have a responsibility to know and understand our Constitution.

Other Utah Constitution Day celebrations

Earlier in the day, judges of the Utah State courts gathered at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake to remind citizens to commemorate the anniversary. They said the Constitution is currently the oldest written set of laws of any major government in the world.


Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there would be anarchy throughout the world.

–Judge Carolyn McHugh


"Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there would be anarchy throughout the world," said Judge Carolyn McHugh.

The judges read the preamble with the reminder that although we Americans celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this day should be considered just as important.

"July Fourth marks the date on which our forefathers declared this nation's initial independence," said Justice Thomas Lee. "Sept. 17 marks the date when they insured its enduring subsistence."

Sen. Orrin Hatch also addressed Friday's significance at Utah Valley University. He told the students that Americans don't know enough about the Constitution. He said we are suffering from "attention deficit democracy."

Utah's Constitution commemoration continues Saturday with a seminar for Utah educators at the Salt Lake Tabernacle from 10 a.m. to noon.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com

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Carole Mikita

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