The Constitution has a role in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, said President Cecil O. Samuelson and his wife Sharon.

President Samuelson began the talk by remembering the losses BYU felt this past week.

“We are sobered by the tragic loss of Camille Cleverley and David Anderson,” he said. “Our love and condolences go out to their families, friends, and associates.”

On the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, President Samuelson recalled his own experience six years prior. He and his wife were attending a mission president’s seminar in Australia.He said that they will remember the many acts of sacrifice, heroism and service that they observed that day.

“Likewise, we will continue to celebrate and remember the many acts of sacrifice, heroism and service that were attached to the tragic events of that fateful day six years ago.”

Sister Samuelson referenced Elder Dallin H. Oaks when she said that the Constitution is an unlikely miracle.

She spoke of the delegates who amended the Articles of Confederation with deep respect.

“[Their] many acts of sacrifice … form a vital part of the fabric of this nation that might not be as well appreciated as it should be,” she said.

President Samuelson quoted Doctrine and Covenants 101:8 that speaks of the Constitution as a divine document.

He said that the document was designed for everybody without geographic limitations or restrictions.

“We can appropriately hope and pray that the Constitution’s influence for good will increase throughout the world as well as in the United States,” he said.

Sister Samuelson spoke candidly that the gospel was restored in America because no other place on Earth had the laws and protection necessary for the establishment of the church.

She quoted the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple in 1836 when the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. prayed that the principles in the Constitution would be established forever.

“Hopefully, ” she said. “We will join our prayers and our efforts continually to make this so,” she said.

President Samuelson went on to say that the Constitution is not a perfect and whole document. He said that the document must grow and develop to fit the changing world.

The Samuelsons finished their talk by speaking of personal integrity. They spoke of the fact that nothing is secret.

“There is nothing hidden from heaven,” Sister Samuelson said. “Thus, our integrity and loyalty to basic principles must govern our lives even when we believe we are not on stage.”

They ended the talk by bearing testimony that God guided the drafters of the Constitution.

A challenge was left to all BYU students.

“We hope you will study seriously and with great effort both the Constitution and your other course work,” President Samuelson said.

“More important, in all that you expect of yourselves, be sure that you do not neglect your private and personal prayers, your scripture study, your appropriate acts of anonymous service as well as the public manifestations you make of your devotion to God and Country.”

Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Sep 2007