A Sun Still Rising

In the summer of 1787, from May 25 to September 17, fifty-five men, representing 12 of the 13 American colonies (Rhode Island did not send delegates to the convention) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to undertake one of the most significant tasks in history. Among these were many of the most learned and wise men of their time. Their names have echoed through the years as those most instrumental in sustaining freedom for the children of God, as they were responsible for designing a system of government in which the freedom of men could be protected and perpetuated. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Pinckney and many others joined the venerable Benjamin Franklin and the revered George Washington to institute the will of God for a free people. Of these men President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, “what a singular and remarkable group they were. As I look across the world today, I search in vain for such a group as walked together across the stage of history when this nation was born. It is my conviction that while we have had a few great leaders since then, there has not been before or since so large a group of talented, able, dedicated and inherently wise and good men as those whom we call the Founding Fathers of this nation.”



As the group concluded their work in September of 1787, they had produced a singular work that remains without parallel in the annals of history. George Washington had been elected as the President of the Convention. As president he occupied a seat on the dais at the head of the room. The chair Washington used during the proceedings had a stiff, wooden back with an ornately carved replica of a half-crested sun at the top. At the conclusion of the months of sessions in the hot Pennsylvania summer, James Madison recorded the following statement made by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is quoted as saying, “I have often looked at that behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I. . . know that it is a rising sun.”

This is a picture of the actual chair used by George Washington during the Constitutional Convention during the summer of 1787. The engraved half-sun in the center inspired Benjamin Franklin's famous quote mentioned above. This chair still occupies its rightful place on the dais at Independence Hall.

It was my opportunity on September, 17th of this year (Constitution Day), exactly 222 years from the date on which these men committed the product of their labors to mankind, to stand in that room in Independence Hall and reflect on what they had done. It was the culmination of countless sacrifices made during a bloody but providential revolution, and a heritage left to future generations that cannot be over-esteemed. It was indeed a sun just beginning to rise on the world. Consider what has occurred since that time. The rest of the world took notice, and freedom has come to many other nations as they’ve sought to emulate the American model. A climate was created in which religious freedom was respected, at least to the degree in which a restoration of God’s church could occur. From this land of freedom the Gospel has been spread across the globe. The spark of freedom that was ignited that day has fanned into a flame. Only one generation later slavery, one of the greatest scourges in all of history, was abolished. In the next generation universal suffrage was achieved. A system of free economics led to the greatest accumulation of wealth in all of history. Poverty, as known throughout the millennia of history preceding the formation of our nation, and as still existent in many parts of the world today, is virtually unknown in our land. Although the poor and hungry can still be found in America, even the most destitute among us enjoy a quality of living and material possessions far beyond the meager subsistence a vast majority of human beings on this earth have endured. Civil rights have gained greater expression in this land, and have been translated into legally protected freedoms moreso than in any society. Mankind has found the freedom of expression, the freedom to pursue happiness, the freedom to succeed, and the freedom to fail in this land to a degree that is unmatched by any other nation or kingdom. It is all due to that incredible event 222 years ago in Philadelphia.

A depiction of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signing the document.

A photo of the actual interior of Independence Hall

Over the many years since the signing of the Constitution men have used their freedom to abuse their freedom. Our history has not been without trouble, hardship, suffering, or pain. But these abuses have not been because of the system established by these men so many years ago, they have been due to the spite of men for the system, and the subordination of this system to mankind’s selfishness. We have endured these detractors and risen above them. Despite dark moments in the history of America, our nation has lived up to its divine calling. America has been a force for good in the world. I’m confident that as our founding fathers contemplate what America has stood for, and what it has accomplished in the two centuries since they stood together in Philadelphia, they would be proud. They would conclude that the sun continues to rise on a bright day of freedom and opportunity.

All of these thoughts were with me as I spent my few moments in the footsteps of these great men in Independence Hall. As the tour guide droned on through her scripted presentation, I looked around the room and tried to imagine Benjamin Franklin sitting with the Pennsylvania delegation, his foot up on a chair to relieve his painful gout, and his signature walking stick lying on the table in front of him. I tried to imagine George Washington sitting beneath the carved sun in his chair on the dais, quietly presiding over the proceedings. I imagined James Madison sitting at the front intently taking notes of the debate, and the various delegates making points and counter points about the many facets of governing a free land.


Then, inevitably, I began to consider the state of our nation today. I wondered if there had been prior moments in our history as rife with conflict and controversy as we are now experiencing. Undoubtedly men have always disagreed. Even the best intended men and women haven’t seen eye-to-eye on all matters. It was so even amongst these great men in 1787. But we’re now facing calamity that is different than petty bickering and conflicting ideas. We are now seeing a face off of ideologies of a magnitude not seen among a free people, at least not in our lifetime, or that of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. It is the forces of freedom arrayed against the forces of tyranny. We have faced terrible threats from without and emerged victorious, but never before have we encountered such massive threats from within. Many today consider this to be a gross overstatement and irresponsible exaggeration. Certainly those who propose a new way aren’t enemies of freedom! Certainly those who want progress, fairness, and greater involvement of government in the lives of citizens are not pro-tyranny! Its reported frequently in the media that these claims are nothing more than racist tendencies coming to the surface, or an attempt to smear and destroy those with whom we don’t agree. History will ultimately decide the issue, but I, for one, don’t want to wait for history to issue its verdict. Especially since that verdict could be in the form of freedom lost.


The heart of the struggle we are facing today is whether the constitutional government that was established 222 years ago this past week was divinely inspired. If it was at that time, then so it is today. If the constitution of the United States of America represents the form of government God intended for His children, and if He intended man to be free, then so it is today. There are those among us who believe that the constitution of our land is outdated. That it no longer applies to a post-modern world that has moved beyond the local concerns of a largely agrarian society. There are also those who believe that the founding fathers of our nation were racist white elitists who acted in their best interest and could not possibly understand the world we live in today. These two groups of people believe we need to evolve as a nation. They believe that we must progress. That America is due for a makeover. Our president ran on a platform of change. He stated shortly before his inauguration that he was going to “fundamentally transform” America. Several weeks ago I sat in a rental car, driving to a meeting somewhere (sometimes I lose track of where I’m at) in utter disbelief as I heard on the radio that we were witnessing the emergence of the founding fathers of a new America.


I stated earlier that I believe the founding fathers, our true founding fathers- not those who try to vainly take the title upon themselves- would be proud of America as they considered all that America has stood for and accomplished. But as I stood on 9/17 in Independence Hall, I couldn’t help but wonder what they would think of America today. How would these men feel about the growth of government into so many facets of our lives? These men feared that if government became too large it would begin to erode the freedoms of the citizenry. They had endured the abuses of an encroaching British government and knew what tyranny looked like and felt like. George Washington had said, “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action”. What would he and the other founders think as they observe a formerly troublesome servant became a more and more powerful master of the people?


I believe we are at a crossroad as a free nation. In one direction we will preserve what our founders gave us. In the other direction there will be the founding of a new America. If we choose wisely, and follow the direction of our creator, the sun Benjamin Franklin determined to be rising will reach its zenith and we will enjoy enduring freedom. If we choose the other direction, we must be prepared to accept what the sun will reveal on a new day in a “new” America. How brightly does the sun shine on a people bereft of the freedom they squandered? History has answered that question time after time, yet so many refuse to acknowledge and understand.


I walked out of Independence Hall last week grateful for inspired men and for God-given freedoms that I far too often take for granted. I felt humbled at the sacrifices of so many in my behalf. I felt blessed to live in a nation with a rich heritage and a divine destiny. And I felt a renewed sense of urgency to stand up in defense of the freedoms with which we are blessed.

Richard