The Declaration of Independence: Inspired by God
By Steven W. Allen
July 4 is a highlight of the summer but unfortunately many see it as merely a day to play. Most Latter-day Saints know it is much more than that. On this day in 1776 the Declaration of Independence, one of the greatest documents of all time, was approved – and because its words were inspired by God, it is truly a joyous occasion.
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in just 17 days, but even more amazing is that he wrote it without the use of any reference materials. Jefferson was well educated, having studied philosophy and law at the College of William and Mary. He was also a voracious reader, which is evident from his 1815 sale of more than 6,700 of his books to the Library of Congress after it burned during the War of 1812. Being so well read, he had been exposed to many ideas that influenced him while writing the Declaration of Independence.
However, he was also a deeply religious man, and the Declaration certainly reflects this. In the Declaration, there is an appeal to the “Supreme Judge of the world” and to “the laws of nature and nature’s God”. It concludes with these words: “And for support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”
Many have tried to negate God’s hand in inspiring the Declaration of Independence by painting Jefferson as an atheist. They point to the copies of the New Testament with scriptures referring to Christ cut out that were found after his death as proof. However, his own writings provide a better explanation and put the question of his faith to rest:
“I too have made a wee-little book.which I call the “Philosophy of Jesus.” It is .made by cutting the texts out of the book, and arranging them on the pages of a blank book, in a certain order of time and subject. A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen. It is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.”
This book was later published as the Jefferson Bible. Jefferson also compiled another book which he called The Life and Morals of Jesus. It was a collection of verses from the New Testament in Greek, Latin, French and English. He wrote to a friend that he read nightly from this book before going to bed.
Interestingly, Jefferson also believed a restoration of the true gospel was coming. In 1820, the same year Joseph Smith had the First Vision, Jefferson stated, “The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored; such as it was preached and practiced by Himself.”
Unquestionably, Jefferson’s faith was a powerful influence in his life and the Declaration itself.
Understanding his circumstances just prior to writing the Declaration of Independence also helps Latter-day Saints gain greater appreciation of it. In September 1775 his second child, one-year-old Jane, died. His mother passed away six months later, and as a result of the grief from both tragedies, Jefferson was incapacitated by severe migraine headaches for several weeks and nearly missed his appointment with destiny. However, he overcame his sorrow and wrote the immortal document that gave birth to the United States of America.
As we celebrate this year, may we remember the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy and never take them for granted. May we follow the counsel President Ezra Taft Benson provided in This Nation Shall Endure to “ever keep in mind the inspired words of Thomas Jefferson, as found in the Declaration of Independence.”
