Elder and Sister Lindsay with Church members at the Academy
Elder Lindsay was invited to speak this month at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland with the midshipmen who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The talk was about the separation of Church and State, a subject so heavily burdened with "political correctness" in today's environment that it is just barely recognizable regarding the original intent as envisioned by the founding fathers who prepared the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Thomas Jefferson is generally credited with creating the wording of this amendment which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Many of the early people who emigrated to America came here to escape religious persecution, and the founding fathers wanted to ensure that, unlike many of the nations from which these immigrants came seeking religious freedom, there would be no state-sponsored religion that would keep anyone from worshipping God according to the dictates of his or her own heart. I cautioned the group to be aware that much of what they see and hear among politicians and others in today's society just is not true. I emphasized the point with this quotation from an unknown author: Cleverness is when you only believe half of what you hear . . . but brilliance is when you know which half to believe.
Many of the early people who emigrated to America came here to escape religious persecution, and the founding fathers wanted to ensure that, unlike many of the nations from which these immigrants came seeking religious freedom, there would be no state-sponsored religion that would keep anyone from worshipping God according to the dictates of his or her own heart. I cautioned the group to be aware that much of what they see and hear among politicians and others in today's society just is not true. I emphasized the point with this quotation from an unknown author: Cleverness is when you only believe half of what you hear . . . but brilliance is when you know which half to believe.
The focus of the presentation was on the many examples that exist in and on the federal government buildings in Washington, DC that clearly show how the early leaders of America felt about God's role in the establishment of our country and it's form of government. Several quotations attributed to the founding fathers including Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson were shared with the group:
In the Rotunda of the US Capitol Building there are eight large oil paintings commissioned by the Congress of the United States depicting important events associated with discovery of this land and the creation of this nation. Each painting measures 12 x 18 feet and half of them have recognizable themes and religious symbols pertaining to our Christian heritage. Throughout the Capitol there are references to God and faith. Above the House Gallery door there is a marble statue of Moses, and in the Senate Chamber is this phrase: "God has favored our undertakings."
Likewise, the Washington Monument that towers above every other structure in the Nation's Capital is filled with representations of religion from the cornerstone at the bottom containing the Holy Bible along with a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to the capstone with the inscription "Praise Be To God." The monument itself is filled with carved tribute blocks containing messages like "Holiness to the Lord," "Search the Scriptures," and "In God We Trust."
Religion is the basis and foundation of Government
- James Madison
In the Rotunda of the US Capitol Building there are eight large oil paintings commissioned by the Congress of the United States depicting important events associated with discovery of this land and the creation of this nation. Each painting measures 12 x 18 feet and half of them have recognizable themes and religious symbols pertaining to our Christian heritage. Throughout the Capitol there are references to God and faith. Above the House Gallery door there is a marble statue of Moses, and in the Senate Chamber is this phrase: "God has favored our undertakings."
Likewise, the Washington Monument that towers above every other structure in the Nation's Capital is filled with representations of religion from the cornerstone at the bottom containing the Holy Bible along with a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to the capstone with the inscription "Praise Be To God." The monument itself is filled with carved tribute blocks containing messages like "Holiness to the Lord," "Search the Scriptures," and "In God We Trust."
God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God.
- Thomas Jefferson
We were pleased to learn that four of the midshipmen have completed full-time missions for the Church while another five are scheduled to interrupt their studies at the Naval Academy between their sophomore and junior years for similar Church proselyting assignments. This group includes the first female midshipman to ever leave the Academy to serve a Church mission. All are expected to continue their military commitments when their missions are completed.
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