Presentations
All presentations are approximately one hour. The final class is an 8-hour session and may be divided as preferred by attendees.
The Constitution,
An Inspired Document
This presentation is decidedly Christian-based (and can be added to for an LDS-audience if I am told ahead of time). It is meant to be inspiring and to show God's hand in the settling of America to create a land of the free. I have used this presentation in Sunday school, women’s organizations (like Relief Society), and youth organizations. Most of this presentation (3/4) uses stories to illustrate God’s hand in the coming forth of America and its liberties. Inspiring stories about puritans who came to America, early colonization, Cesar Rodney, George Washington, Samual Whitmore, Moses and more. But I can’t leave without handing out Constitutions and showing attendees where to find the powers of the president and the powers of Congress (1/4). Attendees will leave this meeting feeling incredibly blessed to live in America, and with a desire to want to befriend and study the Constitution.
Nuts and Bolts of the US Constitution
This presentation teaches key components of the Constitution; important parts, like the enumerated powers of the president and of Congress. I teach them to memorize the Bill of Rights using finger motions. I use fun relatable stories and modern-day examples to make its concepts digestible and understandable. How does the CEO of Walmart relate to the President of the US? How does taking my neighbor’s Corvette relate to government powers? How can a medicinal flower save our Republic? These fun relatable stories, and much more, will help attendees understand the concepts of liberty and the powers delegated in the Constitution. Attendees should leave this meeting feeling empowered and very excited about understanding the Constitution.
Voting:
Seeing Through the Propaganda
This presentation is for voters, or soon-to-be-voters who would like to know how to see through the propaganda when choosing a candidate. How do you research candidate performance and values besides looking at their pamphlets? What are some good questions to ask them, and why are those considered good questions? What are some key words to look out for that could mean a candidate is pushing a certain narrative? Where to find information on candidates? This presentation seeks to empower voters to do good research before voting and not just rely on billboards and commercials.
Nullification
Is it a Crazy Idea or Is It Supported By our Founders? This presentation seeks to educate attendees on the idea of nullification, and what our founders said about it. Today it seems extreme and quite beyond the status quo. What role does the Supreme Court have in nullification, and what role do we play? Have States used it in the past or would we be the first to try it? Learn all about nullification in this presentation and leave with a sense of pride that our founders left us with such a remarkable document with the power left to the people.
Mother of Rebellion
Moses’ sister, Miriam, showed great faith in forthcoming miracles not yet seen when she left Egypt with a tambourine. The Talmud says, “in the merit of the righteous women of that generation, our forefathers were redeemed from Egypt”. We can move past the fear, despair, and apathy of this world and bravely and resolutely keep the faith. Can we have the faith of Daniel in the Lions Den when the threat of overreaching governments looms? Can we have hope like Moses who wondered for many years without running water and with the burden of whiny children? Can we face our giants with confidence?
The Declaration of Independence
This presentation is a thorough dive into the Declaration of Independence. One of the most powerful documents we know and certainly a breach from the norm of their time! We go over the 27 grievances and why our founders included them. What was going on in the 1700s to make them think that grievance severe enough to break away from the most powerful empire of their day? We make comparisons to what that might look like today, so it has relevance to us in the 21st century. Attendees will leave knowing what absolute tyranny looks like, as defined by Thomas Jefferson and the delegates of 1776.
Learn the US Constitution Like the Back of Your Hand!
This 8 hours can be done in 8 one-hour sessions, or 6 ninety minute sessions. Attendees will learn what is in every clause of the US Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. They will memorize the Bill of Rights using hand signals to help them remember, they will learn what is in every article of the Constitution using helpful anacronyms. They will mark up their Constitution like they do their scriptures. We gently cover the English liberty charters that our founders used to write our own, and communism, which is the antithesis of liberty. Americans should have a healthy knowledge of both to defend one and fight against the other. Attendees with leave empowered like superheroes, having learned every clause in the US Constitution.