The U.S. Constitution

The Constitution was officially accepted and ratified September 17, 1787 by twelve states, Vermont being the only of the original 13 colonies not to ratify at this time.  That would be 230 years ago.  I have been pondering this document, and what it really means to me.  
It established our government in it current form, with prescribed checks and balances.  However the part that is most referred to are the Bill of Rights.  The first amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The second: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Third amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent to the Owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Fourth amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Sixth amendment:  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial...
Seventh: Right of trial by jury
Eighth amendment no cruel or unusual punishments.
These are our basic rights.  Then it says those thing not enumerated here are reserved to the states or the individual.  
These are the right outlined in the constitution.  It is interesting to me that the Bill of Rights starts with freedom of religion--freedom to worship.  This is the first basic right, and must be respected.  People do not need to worship the same of us, but we need to respect the right of others to worship how they please.  Joseph Smith put this very succinctly:  "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."  Being civil with each other is what the Bill of Rights is about, but also about putting a check on government.  Many specifically target this check, which comes from the people, from the states, and from the different branches of government.  
Joseph Smith once prophesied that the Constitution would hang by a thread.  This is not some future event.  This is a struggle today.  We must struggle to preserve our freedoms and our rights on an almost daily basis.  May we pray for our government, our leaders.  If they are lead by the constitution then we can stay on course.  However we as a people have a role as a balance for government.  We have to be involved and active to make the constitution work the way it is intended.

The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith

The mob gathered outside the jailhouse door,
Faces painted, 150 men, maybe more
With bayonets, muskets and knives
Up the stairs to take the prophets' lives.

Angry voices reached the men inside
No plan to run, no place to hide.
A ball crashed through the jail room door
Then another, Hyrum, struck in the face, fell to the floor.

"I am a dead man," His groan of pain;
His blood was spilt, the floor was stained.
My dear brother Hyrum, the prophet's lament.
He could see surely, all their lives were spent.

He jumped to the window the other lives to save
John Taylor wounded under the bed, Willard Richards fighting with stave.
Two balls from within, one from without,
"Oh Lord my God!" his death cry shout.

Joseph fell outward, onto the ground below,
The mob rushed out.  Don't let him escape! Don't let him go!
From the windows above, Dr. Richards saw the bloody gore,
Leaned against the well, balls to the heart, his death made sure. 

Oh Joseph, truly dead, Joseph the Prophet, man of innocence;
My world is shattered, nothing makes sense.
Joseph and Hyrum, not parted in life, together in death
Testified of Christ until their last breaths.

Written to be recited to "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."

The Unknown Grave about the Prophet Joseph Smith

The Unknown grave   By David H. Smith (Posthumous son of Joseph Smith)

There ‘s an unknown grave in a green lowly spot,
   The form that it covers will ne’er be forgot.
Where have trees spread and the wild locust wave
   Their fragrant white blooms over the unknown grave
   Over the unknown grave.

And near by its side does the wild rabbit tread,
   While over its bosom the wild thistles spread.
As if in their kindness to guard and to save
   From man’s soot-step intruding the unknown grave,
   Guarding the unknown grave.

The heavens may weep and the thunders moan low,
   Or the bright sun-shine and the soft breezes blow,
Unheeding the heart, one responsive and brave,
   Of the one who sleeps there in the unknown grave.
   Low in an unknown grave.

The prophet whose life was destroyed by his foes
   Sleeps now where no hand may disturb his repose.
Till trumpets of God drown the notes of the wave
   And we see him arise from his unknown grave,
   God bless that unknown grave.

The love all embracing that never can end,
   In death, as in life, knew him well as a friend,
The power of, Jesus the mighty to save
   Will despoil of its treasure the unknown grave,
   No more an unknown grave.

(From David H Smith Hesperis,, A book of Poems, Plano, Illinois 1875)