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The Declaration of Independence!

  • Writer: Shayna
    Shayna
  • Jul 4, 2024
  • 4 min read

Thomas Jefferson was a tall redheaded boy. He was the third of ten children born in Virginia. Thomas' father died when he was 14 years old. Jefferson loved to read books and his father left him his 40 book library. Jefferson would go on to become the third president of the United States of America! He established the library of congress and the university of Virginia.


The Committee of Five

Thomas Jefferson was very involved in achieving America's independence. He is most well-known for being a part of the "Committee of Five" as they called it. The committee consisted of these five men:


  1. Thomas Jefferson, representative from Virginia, who would become the third president of the United States.

  2. John Adams, representative of Massachusetts, who would later become the second president of the United States.

  3. Benjamin Franklin, representative of Pennsylvania, known as one of the most famous intellectuals of the time, his academic writings and publications in the press had a significant infuence on the American Revolution. He signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris and the Constitution of the United States.

  4. Roger Sherman, representative from Connecticut, the only person to sign all four of the U.S. state papers: The Continental Association, the Declaration, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.

  5. Robert Livingston, representative from New York, he later served as teh first U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affiars, he administered the presidential oath of office at the First inauguration of George Washington and he helped to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase as the minister to France.


From left to right: Sherman, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, and Livingston


The committee met from June 11 until July 5. Ultimately Thomas Jefferson was encouraged to write the Declaration of Independence. He wrote and rewrote until it was what he wanted. The most oft quoted passage declares:

"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.

Within the committee of five they corrected it, then they corrected it again and then presented it to the delegates at the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. The delegates had even more corrections! They wanted to be sure that what they declared what right.


And so, on July 4th 1776 the Congress again convened in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia.



This time the vote was unanimous! The delegates from the thirteen colonies voted to accept the Declaration of Independence!



John Hancock, who was the president of the Second Continental Congress, signed it immediately in big bold handwriting!


According to legend, the thirty-nine year old Hancock signed his name largely and clearly so that King George could read it without his spectacles! But this story originated many years after the actual signing and no one knows if it is true. John Hancock was a close friend of Samuel Adams and together these men led the Sons of Liberty, so it would not be surprising if he simply wanted to illustrate his support for independence through his signing!


The truth is, anyone who signed this document was signing their name as a traitor to their king and their home country! They could be punished. In fact, that is what the British wanted to do! They wanted to show the other rebels that traitors would be caught and hanged! BUT these inspired and brave men knew it was worth the risk, worth any sacrifice (even their own lives). Thus they boldly put ink to paper and signed the document. Their names prominently declaring their independence!

It was signed by 56 men (these men had their Temple work completed by Wilford Woodruff). The average age of these signers was 45 years old. The youngest signers were 26 years old and the oldest was 70 years old (Benjamin Franklin).


Revolutionary War

And yet, this was not the end. Far from it actually. There are still more stories showing bravery, sacrifice, faith, courage, and fortitude as the Revolutionary War continued for several years. Their Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Major General George Washington, led the colonists (called by the king, rebels) to victory! Nothing short of an absolute and spectacular miracle! These men were untrained, many of these were farmers, artisans or merchants. It was well-known that Great Britain had, at that time, the greatest militia in the world. By the grace of God, the Patriots won!


Following the years and challenges of the war, a new republic was established and they called it the United States of America.


They wrote a constitution, the Constitution of the United States of America in 1787. It gave the rights to the people and rather than establish a king--the voice of the people would cast their vote for a President.


And who was the first President??


Major General George Washington!


There is so much to say about him and so much to learn! But we are just getting started. The Revolutionary war has just begun! There are more stories to tell, heroes to see and miracles from heaven to witness.


God Bless America, our home sweet home.



INTERESTING TO NOTE: Exactly 50 years from the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1826, Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States of America and writer of the Declaration of Independence, passed away at his home at Monticello, Virginia. It may be of interest to note that John Adams (the second president of the United States of America) died on that very same day in Quincy, Massachusetts.



ACTIVITIES AND IDEAS






  • Talk about what it would be like to be a traitor. How do you know if your cause it just? Turn to the Book of Mormon and the kingmen, Captain Moroni and Pahoran. These and other stories teach about kings, rulers and standing up for what is right.


  • Write your own declaration. About anything! What do you want to declare or announce? Who are you writing to (your audience). What are you trying to tell them?

 
 
 

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