National Heritage

Read Doctrine and Covenants 101:77–80 and explain (in your own words) why the Lord cares about just laws and freedom.

Study the difference between “Founders,” “Framers,” and later national leaders; write a brief definition for each and give one example person for each category.

Choose one founding-era figure and one later national figure. For each, identify 3 reliable sources, then summarize: their major decisions, their character strengths, and one cautionary lesson.

Select one founding document to focus on (Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights). Plan a 7-day study with daily 10–15 minute sessions and a short note each day.

Plan a “Heritage Field Experience” (museum, archives, historic site, memorial, battlefield, historic church, or local historical society). Include date, transportation, cost (if any), safety plan, and 8 questions you want answered during the visit.

Plan a service or contribution that protects or strengthens heritage (examples: cleaning a cemetery, indexing/archiving help, interviewing elders, digitizing family documents, leading a flag/etiquette lesson, or assisting a historical society). Get leader/parent approval.

Complete your 7-day study plan on your chosen founding document and create a one-page “Founding Principles Map” showing at least 5 principles and a modern application for each (home, church, school, community).

Conduct a heritage interview (in-person or recorded) with a parent, grandparent, veteran, immigrant, community elder, or civic leader; gather a story of sacrifice or service, verify one detail with a second source, and write a respectful summary.

Complete your Heritage Field Experience and produce a “truthful record” (photo log, sketch log, or notes) that includes 10 observations, 5 facts learned, and 2 questions you still have.

Lead a 10–15 minute teaching moment for your patrol/family: explain one core founding idea, one heritage story you researched, and one gospel principle that strengthens civic virtue (integrity, courage, humility, charity).

Complete your approved service/contribution and document impact (who benefited, what changed, how long it took, and what you would improve).

Write a reflection (minimum 250 words) on how learning national heritage can help you keep the Saint’s Oath to “honor my family and my country” while remaining Christlike toward people who disagree with you.

Share a short testimony or personal statement (spoken or written) answering: “How has God’s hand—or the need for God—become clearer to me through this badge, and how will I ‘Just Serve’ going forward?”