Dallin H. Oaks Speaks on Constitutional Fundamentals
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010The Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was host to a Constitution Day celebration on 17 September 2010. The keynote speaker was Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, he was speaking that day not as a religious leader but as an expert on constitutional law. Elder Oaks helped to revise the Illinois state constitution, worked as a law professor, and served as a state supreme court justice prior to becoming a Mormon apostle.
Elder Oaks addressed the world-wide importance of the Constitution of the United States, which has been used as a model for constitutions world-wide. He pointed out that when we weaken our own constitution, we also weaken the foundations of other nations as well, for this reason.
He cautioned listeners not to use the constitution as a weapon to end debate, but as a tool to begin it. “A public policy or a proposed law that is unwise is not necessarily unconstitutional. Even if it is a stupid proposal, it is not necessarily unconstitutional. A constitution gives the people and their elected leaders the opportunity to make many decisions that are unwise or even reckless. When that happens — when the government or one of its officials engages in some kind of action that we consider to be wrong — we should engage in vigorous public debate about it. But we should not use up a constitution by attempting to strike down every ill-conceived act of government or to discredit every unwise official. A constitution is the ultimate weapon, and we preserve that weapon best by using it sparingly and carefully. If we call some action unconstitutional, we should be prepared to explain what provision or principle of a constitution it violates. In this way, a constitution can be used to stimulate discussion and to seek unity” (Fundamentals of Our Constitutions” – Elder Dallin H. Oaks) (more…)
