Ezra Taft Benson
Sons of Utah Pioneers
Marriott Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah
August 23, 1986 6:30 p.m.

My fellow Sons of the Utah Pioneers, I come to you with a message that has been close to my heart for a number of years. Because of the nature of the message I bring to you today, I have committed most of it to writing.

This evening I will speak to you about our beloved Republic, and the inspired agents who God raised up to establish the foundation upon which our liberty rests.

The destiny of America was divinely decreed. The events which established our great nation were foreknown to God and revealed to prophets of old. As in an enacted drama, the players who came on the scene were rehearsed and selected for their parts. Their talent, abilities, capacities, and weaknesses were known before they  were born.

As one looks back upon what we call our history, there is a telling theme that recurs again and again in this drama. As one who is vitally concerned about the perpetuity of our liberties, our freedoms, and the principles laid down by the founders of this country, I refer to some fundamentals – with which most of you will be familiar.

Secular scholarship, though useful, provides an incomplete and sometimes inaccurate view of our history. The real story of America is one which shows the hand of God in our nation’s beginning.

Why is it that this view of our history is almost lost in classrooms in America? Why is it that one must turn to the writers of the 18th and 19th centuries to find this view inferred or stated? The answer may perhaps be found in Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation:

“We have forgotten god. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that-made us.” (Abraham Lincoln, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, March 30, 1863.)

As a nation, we have become self-sufficient. This has given birth to a new religion in America which some have called secularism. This is a view of life without the idea that God is in the picture or that He has anything to do with the picture in the first place.

The first century of our nation’s history, the university was the guardian and preserver of faith in God. In this present century, the university has become ethically neutral, by and large agnostic. Our country is now reaping the effects of this agnostic influence. It has cost us an inestimable price.

For who can place a price on the worth of a human soul, or the cost of the cynicism that young people have toward our Republic and its leaders?

I would have you consider soberly how this secular influence has affected the treatment of our nation’s history in the textbook and classroom.

Today, students are subjected in their textbooks and classroom lectures to a subtle propaganda that there is a “natural” or rational explanation to all causes and events. Such a position removes the need for faith in God, or belief in His interposition in the affairs of men. Events are ONLY – and I stress that – ONLY explained from a humanistic frame of reference.

Historians and educational writers who are responsible for these movements are classified as “revisionists.” Their purpose has been and is to create a “new history.” By their own admission they are more influenced by their own training and other humanistic and scientific disciplines than any religious conviction. This detachment provides them, they say, with an objectivity that the older historians did not have.

Many of the older historians, I should point out, were defenders of the patriots and their noble efforts.

Feeling no obligation to perpetuate the ideals of the Founding Fathers, some of “new historians” have recast a new body of beliefs for their secular faith. Their efforts, in some cases, have resulted in a new interpretation of our nation’s history. May I illustrate a few of these reinterpretations:

First, the American victory in the War of Independence was only the result of good fortune, ineptitude by the British generals, and the entrance of France into the war. All these facts are evident, but what is significantly left out are additional explanations which could provide the student with a spiritual perspective of our history.

Why is it we do not read in our history of explanations such as this from George Washington?

“… The success, which has hitherto attended our united efforts, we owe to the gracious interposition of Heaven, and to that interposition let us gratefully ascribe the praise of victory, and the blessings of peace.” (To the Executive of New Hampshire, November 3, 1789, Writings, Vol. 30, p. 453.)

A second reinterpretation is that the political thought of the Founding Fathers was the result of borrowed ideas from the 18th century philosophers.

Again it is evident that the founders were men well schooled in the political thought of their times as well as ancient civilizations, but how does one account for the unity which came out of the impasse among the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

It was at that point that Benjamin Franklin made his great speech. He solemnly counseled:

I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

We shall be divided by our little partial local interest; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and byword down to future ages. And, what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore, beg leave to move that henceforth: prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.

[See wallbuilders.com for a reference to the above quote]

Some historians have ignored this dimension because Madison, who reported the Constitutional Convention, said nothing about it. Others report that the motion was not acted on. Another member of the Convention, Jonathan Dayton of New Jersey, who also reported it, said the motion was acted on favorably by the Convention.

Again, I would ask: Why is it that the references to God’s influence in the noble efforts of the Founders of our Republic are not mentioned?

Listen to the convictions of two of these delegates to the Constitutional Convention. First, Charles Pinckney:

“When the great work was done and published, I was … struck with amazement. Nothing less than the superintending hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war … could have brought it about so complete, upon the whole.” (P.L. Ford, Editor, Essays on the Constitution, p. 412.)

Here is another testimony, this from James Madison, sometimes referred to as the Father of the Constitution:

“It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.” (federalist, No. 37.)

Third, the charge has been made that the founders designed the Constitution primarily to benefit themselves and their “class” (property owners) financially, and that the economic motif was their dominant incentive. Such was the theses of the American historian, Dr. Charles Beard.

Jet Madison said, “There was never an assembly of men … who were more pure in their Motives.”

We must remember that these were men who had sacrificed, in many cases their fortunes and their sacred honor.

Shortly after the turn of this century, Charles Beard published his work, An Economic interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. This book marked the beginning of a trend to defame the motives and integrity of the founders of the Constitution. It also grossly distorted the real intent of the founders by suggesting their motivation was determined by economics – a thesis which had originated with Karl Marx.

Beard himself was not a Marxist, but he was socialist in his thinking and he admitted there was much we could learn from Marx’s ideas. Before his death, Beard recanted his own thesis, but the damage had been done. This began a new trend in educational and intellectual circles in the United States.

Not infrequently this penchant for historical criticism has resulted in the defamation of character of the Founding Fathers. It is done under the guise of removing the so-called ‘myths’ that surround their background. A favorite target of this defamation has been George Washington, our nation’s most illustrious leader.

Some of these so-called “new” historians have questioned his honesty, challenged his military leadership and executive ability, and impugned his moral character.

Others who have taken measure of the man have assessed matters differently. John Lord, author of the well-known work of the 19th century, Beacon Lights of History, wrote this of Washington:

“Washington … had … a transcendent character, … As a man he had his faults, but they were so few and so small that they seem to be but spots upon a sun. These have been forgotten; and as the ages roll on, mankind will see naught but the lustre of his virtues and the greatness of his services.” (John Lord, Beacon Lights of History (New York: Fords, Howard, and Hulbert) 1884, Vol. 7, p. 168)

Winston Churchill also estimated Washington thusly:

“George Washington holds one of the proudest titles that history can bestow. He was the Father of his Nation. Almost alone his staunchness in the War of Independence held the American colonies to their united purpose … He filled his office with dignity and inspired his administration with much of his own wisdom. To his terms as President are due the smooth organization of the Federation Government, the establishment of national credit, and the foundation of a foreign policy.” (Winston Churchill, A History of the English Speaking People: The Age of Revolution (New York: Dod, Mead, and Company) 1962, p. 347)

General William Wilbur, author of the commendable little volume, The Making of George Washington, made this appraisal:

Greatness of moral character, forthright honesty, quiet modesty, thoughtful consideration for others, integrity, thoroughness, kindness, and generosity! During the American Revolution, and for more than fifty years thereafter, young Americans were inspired to attain these qualities by the vivid recollections of men who had served with George Washington, men who knew him from intimate daily association. As years went by, books, stories, living personal memories, all combined to present this great hero in such a way as to make him an inspiring and potent influence for good…

Unfortunately the last seventy-five years have produced a marked change. In these years it has come to be standard practice for Washington authors to proclaim it as their purpose to “humanize” the Washington image. Most of them have instead succeeded in belittling him. They have replaced a glorious, inspiring memory with a tawdry, warped picture.” (The Making of George Washington, pp 19-21)

That is a charge I would leave with you – leave Washington’s name “shining on.” May no one attempt to blemish Washington’s illustrious character.

If ever this country needed the timeless wisdom of the Father of our Country, it is today. How much our country could benefit by following the wisdom of our country’s first president. Here are a few among many maxims:

“Let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective, let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.” (To Henry Lee, October 31, 1786, Writings, Vol. 28, p.34)

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” (First Annual Address, January 8, 1790, Writings, Vol. 30, p. 491)

“The love of my country will be the ruling influence of my conduct.” (Answer to the New Hampshire Executive, November 3, 1789, Writings, Vol. 30, p. 453)

“A good, moral character is the first essential in a man… It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only. to be learned but virtuous.” (To George Steptoe Washington, December 5, 1790, Writings, vol. 31, p. 163)

“Let us unite, therefore, in imploring the Supreme Ruler of nations, to spread his holy protection over these United States: to tum the machinations of the wicked to confirming of our constitution: ‘to enable us at all times to root our internal sedition, and put invasion to flight: to … perpetuate to our country that property, which His goodness has already conferred, and to verify the anticipation of this government being a safeguard to human rights.’ ” (To the Senate and the House of Representatives., November 19, 1774, Writings, Vol. 34, p. 37.)

It would profit all of us as citizens to read again Washington’s Farewell Address to his countrymen. The address is prophetic. I believe it ranks alongside of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Today we are almost engulfed by a tide of self-criticism, depreciation, and defamation of those who served our country honorably and with distinction. I know the philosophy behind this practice is “to tell it as it is.”

All too often those who subscribe to this philosophy are not hampered by too inany facts. When will we awaken to the fact that the defamation of our dead heroes only serves to undermine faith in the principles for which they stood, and the institutions which they established.

Some have termed this practice as ‘historical realism’ or moderately called it ‘debunking.’ I call it slander and defamation. And I repeat., that those who are guilty of it in their writing or teaching will answer to a Higher Tribunal.

It is the job of the historian and educator and citizens to help us as a nation to “pull ourselves together,” to help us regain perspective and vision and the respect of all nations.

This will not be done by showing that this is merely a phase through which we are passing. No, it will be done by men who possess a love of coutry, a vision of our country’s future, and the assurance of her divinely guided destiny.

Today I have spoken plainly to you. Lest there be some who get the impression that I am an antagonist to the discipline of history and historians, let me declare my feelings about that noble profession.

I love to read history and historical biography. I have great respect for the historian who can put into proper perspective events and people, and make history come alive.

I believe the maxim that “those who do not understand the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat those errors anew.”

I love history books that tell history as it was – as the Book of Mormon tells it – with God in the picture guiding and directing the affairs of the righteous.

I love to read history for its timeless lessons, and the inspiration I can gather from the lives of great leaders.

I have been privileged to know many in my lifetime who have made history both in the world scene and in the Church.

My purpose today is to help you discern a trend that has been destructive to the faith of many of our people in our nation’s founders, and our country’s divine origin and destiny.

I bear witness to you that America’s history was foreknow[n] to God: that His divine intervention and merciful providence has given us both peace and property in this beloved land; that through His omniscience and benevolent design He selected and sent some of His choices spirits to lay the foundation of our government.

These men were not evil men. Their work was in fulfillment of the ancient prophets who declared that this was a Promised Land, ‘a land of liberty.’

Yes, we are privileged to live in this choice land. When all these events are finished and written, we will look back and not be astonished to see that the prophecies, ancient and modern, about this land and these events were but our history in reverse. For that is what prophecy is.

May God bless us all to be faithful and true to this vision, and to uphold, sustain and defend this nation and its founders and the Kingdom of God is my humble prayer.