Lessons of 2025
Lesson No. Twenty-Six

Faith, Freedom, and the Founders: What is True Patriotism?

This article was originally published in the Meridian Magazine on July 2nd 2025 under the “Ideas and Society” column. You can read the original article here.

Faith, Freedom, and the Founders: What is True Patriotism? By Larry V. Lunt · July 2, 2025

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, key Founders and the second and third presidents of the United States, both died within a few hours of each other, on the same day, July 4, 1826. This was the fiftieth or golden anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was, as John Quincy Adams wrote, “a visible and palpable manifestation of Divine Favor.” I believe the Lord used the death of these two great men, on this milestone anniversary, to remind us that He used wise men, true patriots who He raised up, to establish the United States of America.

Celebrating anniversaries, especially milestone anniversaries, is an important part of our individual and collective lives. Personal anniversaries, such as marriages and birthdays, should remind us that God desires to bless our lives, our marriages, and our families. Religious anniversaries, such as Christmas and Easter, are important because they should remind us of God’s love. Patriotic anniversaries, such as the 4th of July or the 24th of July, are important because they remind us that God controls the destiny of nations.

Milestone anniversaries are important to the Lord and His Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates centennial or 100-year anniversaries, sesquicentennial or 150-year anniversaries, and bicentennial or 200-year anniversaries of its founding and organization. The Church was part of a major nationwide celebration of the Bicentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Definition of a True or Counterfeit Patriot

July 4, 2026, will be the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, if we begin now, on July 4, 2025, we will have one year to prepare our families for this very important “quarter-millennial” anniversary. It is important to remember the truth of the words of Ronald Reagan when he said: “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction.” One of the best ways to prepare our families is to help them distinguish between a true patriot and a counterfeit patriot.

A definition of a true patriot– A true patriot seeks to know truth. They acknowledge the hand of God in the affairs of men and the destiny of nations. They look to God as the source of security. A true patriot is committed to correct social and economic principles based on agency and accountability which the Lord refers to as “just and holy principles” (D&C 101:77-78). To a true patriot, liberty is not a license to do whatever you want; rather, liberty requires that our actions must be consistent with a divine standard to which men are accountable. A true patriot is more concerned about being morally correct than politically correct.

A definition of a counterfeit patriot. A counterfeit patriot seeks for personal power; if his supporters, who also seek for power, give him unconditional loyalty, he will “make them rulers over the people” (Alma 46:4-5). They rely on their own wisdom. They espouse harmful social and economic theories based on the philosophies of men. They espouse moral relativism which teaches there is no right or wrong, no divine law or absolute standard of conduct– and therefore no sin. The philosophy of moral relativism was well stated by Korihor who taught that “every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime” (Alma 30:17).

The Danger of Moral Relativism

Elder Dallin H. Oaks spoke of the great danger of moral relativism: “What has caused the current public and legal climate of mounting threats to religious freedom? I believe the cause is not legal but cultural and religious. I believe the diminished value being attached to religious freedom stems from the ascendancy of moral relativism.”

He continues, “More and more of our citizens support the idea that all authority and all rules of behavior are man-made and can be accepted or rejected as one chooses. Each person is free to decide for himself or herself what is right and wrong. Our children face the challenge of living in an increasingly godless and amoral society” (Preserving Religious Freedom, February 4, 2011, Chapman University).

George Washington-the Preeminent Founder

George Washington was the preeminent Founder and a true patriot– Washington was one of the great men of this dispensation. He played an essential role in the restoration. Washington’s greatest and most lasting contribution was his example in establishing what is called “ordered liberty.” Ordered liberty requires that citizens be honest. The opposite of ordered liberty is dishonesty and confusion. Washington was known for his honesty. He understood the importance of his example in developing national integrity. He said: “I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn unto precedent.”

As the Revolutionary War wound down, the monarchies in Europe fully expected he would establish himself as king. For thousands of years, this was always the result of revolutions. General Washington was honest to the military commission given him by Congress, and he retired quietly to Mt Vernon. An important result of Washington’s example is that our military has always been subordinate to civilian authority.

Another extraordinary result of Washington’s example is that after serving two terms, and while still very popular, he decided to retire. Presidential power was transferred peacefully, and we must ensure that this tradition continues. This has blessed our country.

In his Farewell Address, Washington spoke of patriotism: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriot, who would labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens” (emphasis added). Patriotism requires both religion and morality.

By Washington’s definition, living the gospel of Jesus Christ is true patriotism.

Benjamin Franklin’s Unique Strengths

Benjamin Franklin had critical and unique strengths that made him central to the Founding.

Franklin believed you should “do your business by the voice of the people” (Mosiah 29:26). He was more comfortable with democracy than most others of his time. He believed in providing opportunities for all people to succeed as best they could based on their diligence, hard work, virtue, and talent. From this attitude came Franklin’s most important vision: an American identity based on the virtues and values of the middle class. He had faith in the wisdom of the common man. He knew our nation would draw its strength from what he called “the middling people.”

Franklin was the most traveled of all the Founders. He was familiar with the nations of Europe and all thirteen colonies. He understood what they had in common and how they differed. He could discuss farming in Virginia and trade economics in Massachusetts.

He understood the importance of pragmatic compromise– both sides must part with some of their demands. His belief of the importance of compromise led to the signing of the Constitution.

Franklin was born in 1706 and was a generation older than Washington. The other Founders respected this. One delegate to the Constitutional Convention wrote: “Dr. Franklin is well known to be the greatest philosopher of the present age; all the operation of nature he seems to understand, the very heavens obey him, and the clouds yield up their lightning to be imprisoned in his rod.” He was also the most famous scientist of the time. As ambassador to both England and France, his reputation brought many advantages to his new country. (From Walter Isaacson’s Benjamin Franklin)

According to Wilford Woodruff’s journal, the Founders and other good people appeared to him in the St George Temple and requested that their temple work be done. At that time, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, along with John Wesley and Christopher Columbus, were ordained high priests. Normally, men are ordained elders prior to receiving their temple endowments.

Franklin was a great advocate for democracy and for educating people’s minds and hands. He understood the importance of compromise and peacemaking. He had a wonderful reputation. All of these are the characteristics of a true patriot.

Thomas Jefferson- the Cause of Freedom

Thomas Jefferson condensed the doctrine of the Declaration of Independence to 56 words:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” President Ezra Taft Benson called these words the doctrine of the Declaration of Independence. He said: “The doctrine of that crowning document, the Declaration of Independence, is this: That the Creator, God, endowed all men with basic rights, and that governments derive their power form the consent of the governed….The formers of our republic simply declared the truth – that God gave all men the right to life, liberty, and property” (Provo Freedom Festival, 29 June 1986).

The Founders recognized the reason they were successful against the greatest military power on the earth was because they were delivered by the power of God. Jefferson’s Second Inaugural Address was typical. There he acknowledged “that Being in whose hands we are, who lead our forefathers as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries and comforts of life, who has covered our infancy with his Providence and our ripe years with his wisdom and power.”

The cause of freedom has always required a willingness to sacrifice. The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they were in a very real sense putting “our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor” on the line. If England would have been able to put down the Revolution, they would have considered the actions of the Founders treasonous. Benjamin Franklin described the potential consequences to the other signers when he said, “Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

The service and sacrifice that are required today are different but essential. The Lord has commanded: “Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness” (D&C 58:27).

Jefferson would have us understand the doctrine of the Declaration of Independence, and to be anxiously engaged in service and sacrifice on behalf of our country. Thomas Jefferson was a true patriot.

John and Abigail Adams

John and Abigail Adams were true patriots– John’s marriage to Abigail was the most important decision of his life. John never doubted that he was married to one of the most extraordinary women of his time. Abigail was his equal in every way. She was a moderating influence. Everything that matters was accomplished together. Whatever good that can be said of John applies also to Abigail. They were wonderful companions, friends, and partners. They completed each other. “Their hearts [were] knit together in unity and love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21).

John and Abigail loved their family. As parents, their children brought them great happiness and some pain. Their son John Quincy Adams became our sixth President. Their son Charles’ behavior was often irresponsible. In all cases, they loved and cared for their children.

John revered his forefathers and composed an inscription to be carved on the tomb of Henry Adams, who in 1638 was the first Adams to arrive in Massachusetts. On the tomb, he wrote of “the piety, humility, simplicity, prudence, frugality, industry, and perseverance of his ancestors in hopes of recommending an affirmation of their virtues to their posterity.”

John and Abigail trusted in the Lord and loved his work. This is evident in many of the thousands of letters they wrote to each other during John’s long absences on government assignments. John wrote the creed for his life in one sentence: “He who loves the Workman and his work, and does what he can to preserve and improve it, shall be accepted of Him.”

John was our second president who wrote: “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion…Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

In a letter to Thomas Jefferson shortly after Abigail died, John wrote of his belief that he and Abigail would be united in the next life: “I believe in God and in his wisdom and benevolence, and I cannot conceive that such a Being could make such a species as the human merely to live and die on this earth. If I did not believe in a future state, I should believe in no God.” Because of the gospel and the blessings of the temple, John and Abigail’s marriage is now eternal.

The lives of John and Abigail Adams remind us that strong marriages and families are among the best examples of true patriotism.

Raised up by the Lord

I believe our Founding Fathers were true patriots and wise men the Lord raised up. The Lord said that He “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose” (D&C 101:80). These wise men understood eternal principles, and they desired to teach them to future generations by symbolizing these principles on the Great Seal of the United States (The seal is on the front of every dollar bill).

The Great Seal of the United States is shown on the front of my military coin, which, following a long-standing military tradition, I give to people who are true patriots. The Great Seal was adopted by the Continental Congress in 1782 to reflect the values the Founding Fathers ascribed to our new nation. These true patriots chose an eagle to represent strength, purpose, and determination. That our nation desires peace is depicted by the eagle looking at an olive branch in its right talon. Often in this world, the best way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. This is symbolized by the arrows in the eagle’s left talon. The eagle has a banner in its beak with the Latin phrase E Pluribis Unum, meaning Out of Many One. There has never been a more diverse country than the United States, with people from all nations. But with so much diversity, our national and individual goal should be responsible unity. Unity strengthens individuals, families, and nations.

The Flag of the United States is to me a modern title of liberty. Around the perimeter of the opposite side of my military coin are the words captain Moroni wrote on his title of liberty: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children” (Alma 46:12). Like captain Moroni, I believe Faith, Family, and Freedom must be promoted and defended regardless of the cost.

Released on July 4th. 2025.