--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Declaration of Independence . . . is…" description: "\"“The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png" --- # The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a… ![“The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this…” quote by Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png) > ““The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this event would transpire. The colonies he saw would break with Great Britain and that 'the power of the Lord was with \[the colonists\],' that they 'were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations' (1 Nephi 13:16, 19). "The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition—the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men's rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects. This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God.”” [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Declaration is presented as a divine moral guide, asserting rights stem from God, not merely politics. **In simple terms:** Rights are God‑given, not just political. Key Takeaway Recognize spiritual foundations of liberty. Themes freedom spirituality rights politics divine authority Mood reflective inspirational Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - civil rights movements - constitutional debates - education on founding documents Key Concepts theocracy natural law manifest destiny Questions to Reflect On - How does viewing rights as divine affect modern law? - Can spiritual claims unite diverse societies? A Different Perspective Critics argue mixing religion with governance can exclude non‑believers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book Of Mormon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book-of-mormon/) [Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Declaration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration/) [Declaration Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/declaration-independence/) [Document Proclaimed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/document-proclaimed-3283649/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Political Document](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-document-430966/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Power of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-of-god/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Rights God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-god-933110/) [Rights Nephi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-nephi-3283650/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [The Declaration of Independence to which these great men affixed their signatures is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto-revel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-to-which-these-great-men-affixed/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition - the divine right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-was-to-set-forth-the-moral-2/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Rights are either God-given as part of the divine plan, or they are granted by government as part of the political plan. If we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/rights-are-either-god-given-as-part-of-the-divine-plan-or-they-are/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [ Since man created government to help secure and safeguard \[inalienable\] rights \[from God\], it follows that man is superior to government and should remain… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/since-man-created-government-to-help-secure-and-safeguard-inalienable/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) new Summary for Policymakers is a political document that downplays assessments of uncertainty from the scientific reports.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-f-hayward/the-intergovernmental-panel-on-climate-change-s-ipcc-new-summary-for/) [Steven F. Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-f-hayward/) > [“Interpreters, when challenged on their manipulations, tell us the Constitution was written for a different and simpler time. Actually, the genius of the Constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-david-ledbetter/interpreters-when-challenged-on-their-manipulations-tell-us-the/) [Mark David Ledbetter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-david-ledbetter/) > [Our political document shows that we are prepared in the context of a national consensus to accept a state on the lines of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-mashal/our-political-document-shows-that-we-are-prepared-in-the-context-of-a/) [Khaled Mashal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-mashal/) > [Writers are given one great story to tell their story. I’m telling my story as a political document.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-kramer/writers-are-given-one-great-story-to-tell-their-story-i-m-telling-my/) [Larry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-kramer/) > [The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon for the many reasons which the Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-time-is-long-overdue-for-a-massive-flooding-of-the-earth-with-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The Book of Mormon, the record of Joseph, verifies and clarifies the Bible. It removes stumbling blocks; it restores many plain and precious things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-book-of-mormon-the-record-of-joseph-verifies-and-clarifies-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [From the Book of Mormon, we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/from-the-book-of-mormon-we-learn-how-disciples-of-christ-live-in/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [A young woman who knows and loves the Book of Mormon, who has read it several times, who has an abiding testimony of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/a-young-woman-who-knows-and-loves-the-book-of-mormon-who-has-read-it/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Reading the Book of Mormon is one of the greatest persuaders to get men on missions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/reading-the-book-of-mormon-is-one-of-the-greatest-persuaders-to-get/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/i-feel-certain-that-if-in-our-homes-parents-will-read-from-the-book/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Prepare yourselves mentally. A mission requires a great deal of mental preparation. You must memorize missionary discussions, memorize scriptures, and oftentimes learn a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/prepare-yourselves-mentally-a-mission-requires-a-great-deal-of-mental/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## More by Ezra Taft Benson > [What would God have me do with my life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/what-would-god-have-me-do-with-my-life/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Records, radio, television, movies, magazines-all are monopolized by the money managers who are guided by one ethic, the words wealth and power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/records-radio-television-movies-magazines-all-are-monopolized-by-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/every-latter-day-saint-should-make-the-study-of-this-book-a-lifetime/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Do not be caught up in materialism, one of the real plagues of our generation-that is, acquiring things, fast-paced living, and securing career success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/do-not-be-caught-up-in-materialism-one-of-the-real-plagues-of-our/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The high cost of low living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-high-cost-of-low-living/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“We must each of us do our home work. 'My people are destroyed,' said Hosea, 'for lack of knowledge.' We must be wise as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/we-must-each-of-us-do-our-home-work-my-people-are-destroyed-said/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“Man…need not stand alone. Prayer will open doors; prayer will remove barriers; prayer will ease pressures; prayer will give inner peace and comfort during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/man-need-not-stand-alone-prayer-will-open-doors-prayer-will-remove/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity. It does not mean fear. A man can be humble and fearless. A man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/humility-does-not-mean-weakness-it-does-not-mean-timidity-it-does-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on the road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-scriptures-record-remarkable-accounts-of-men-whose-lives-changed/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/that-government-is-best-which-governs-the-least-so-taught-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [No nation which has kept the commandments of God has ever perished, but I say to you that once freedom is lost, only blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/no-nation-which-has-kept-the-commandments-of-god-has-ever-perished/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Someone has said it is better to appreciate the things you don't own than to own things you don't appreciate. I hope we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/someone-has-said-it-is-better-to-appreciate-the-things-you-don-t-own/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“In framing that great document which Gladstone declared ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/in-framing-that-great-document-which-gladstone-declared-the-most/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/godly-sorrow-is-a-gift-of-the-spirit-it-is-a-deep-realization-that/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) [Explore all 556 Ezra Taft Benson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) ## More Citizenship quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/) [Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but why should we shelter someone who has come to India illegally from outside?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-thackeray/there-can-be-a-debate-on-the-citizenship-amendment-act-but-why-should/) [Raj Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-thackeray/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul--our Protestant idea, the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-point-i-wish-plainly-to-bring-before-you-on-this-occasion-is-the/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“Encouraging Robert E. Lee to take a job as college president, "You might be presenting to the world in such a position an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nelson-pendleton/encouraging-robert-e-lee-to-take-a-job-as-college-president-you-might/) [William Nelson Pendleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-nelson-pendleton/) > [“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ickes/what-constitutes-an-american-not-color-nor-race-nor-religion-not-the/) [Harold Ickes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ickes/) > [In an age of interdependence, global citizenship - based on trust and sense of shared responsibility - is a crucial pillar of progress. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/in-an-age-of-interdependence-global-citizenship-based-on-trust-and/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/strengthening-our-identity-is-one-way-of-reinforcing-people-s/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Browse all 793 Citizenship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual manifesto—revelation, if you will—declaring not for this nation only, but for all nations, the source of man's rights. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, foresaw over 2,300 years ago that this event would transpire. The colonies he saw would break with Great Britain and that 'the power of the Lord was with [the colonists],' that they 'were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations' (1 Nephi 13:16, 19). \"The Declaration of Independence was to set forth the moral justification of a rebellion against a long-recognized political tradition—the divine right of kings. At issue was the fundamental question of whether men's rights were God-given or whether these rights were to be dispensed by governments to their subjects. This document proclaimed that all men have certain inalienable rights. In other words, these rights came from God.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ezra Taft Benson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-is-much-more-than-a-political/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizenship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-is-much-more-than-a-political/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8b/ezra-taft-benson-443_citizenship_the-declaration-of-independence-is-much_1155192.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Declaration of Independence . . . is much more than a political document. It constitutes a spiritual…” — Ezra Taft Benson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ezra Taft Benson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The Declaration of Independence . ....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-is-much-more-than-a-political/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-declaration-of-independence-is-much-more-than-a-political/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```