Those of us who have already awakened to a sense of our awful situation typically feel a similar urge to be actively involved in doing something about it. It’s not enough just to learn about the principles of freedom and the US Constitution and recognize that we have strayed far from those principles. This fight for freedom is not a new one; it has been going on for thousands of years. This battle is a continuation of the war that began in heaven between good and evil.

Ezra Taft Benson is just one of many prophets that have urged the Latter-day Saints to play an active role in protecting our freedom. In one of his speeches, Ezra Taft Benson outlined some things that each of us can do (below is a summary):

1. We must be righteous and moral and live all of the gospel principles. We must look to God as our Lawgiver and the source of our liberty.

2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts, so that we can defend it.

3. We must become involved in civic affairs and seek after good, wise, and honest leaders.

4. We must be wisely informed and make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice.

Ezra Taft Benson had faith that the Constitution would be saved and said “it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom…men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution.

In this same talk Ezra Taft Benson also stated:

“I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed his stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of heaven sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and he has sent other choice spirits-even you who hear my words this day-to preserve it.

“We, the blessed beneficiaries, face difficult days in this beloved land, “a land which is choice above all other lands” (Ether 2:10). It may also cost us blood before we are through. It is my conviction, however, that when the Lord comes, the Stars and Stripes will be floating on the breeze over this people. May it be so, and may God give us the faith and the courage exhibited by those patriots who pledged their lives and fortunes that we might be free, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”