LDS Flag Information

FLAG HISTORY/INFORMATION
The concept of raising a religous banner is not a new one. When we look back at LDS Church history we find plenty of evidence that Joseph Smith used flags to unite, rally, defend, and pursue the purposes of peace. The prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilfred Woodruff and many leaders of the church used real and literal emblems during the restoration of the church.

(LDS Flag(TM) today, Oil paintings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the first vision)

In 1833 during Zion's Camp Joseph used a flag as a "Standard of Peace" on the way to Jackson County, Missouri. Even in preparation to defend Nauvoo from the violent and persistent attacks by anti-Mormon mobs, on June 22nd, 1844, Joseph Smith gave the instruction to church leaders, "for a standard (flag) to be made and raised for the nations."

After Joseph Smith's death the Nauvoo City Charter was repealed by the State of Illinois and the citizens of Nauvoo had to organize the city, and protection of it, under the LDS Church's priesthood leadership and guide. Brigham Young used a blue and white flag as a signal. "It was decided to hoist a striped flag on the temple tower when the officers of the Nauvoo Legion were to muster..."

(Seal used by President Brigham Young with familiar LDS imagary. Note the familiar 12 round-stars circling the central image.)

The Encyclopedia of LDS History by Joseph F. Smith makes note, "On 26 July 1847, just two days after Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, he and others ascended a dome-shaped hill north of the present Utah State Capitol building. He had seen this prominent peak in a vision. As President Young raised a flag, he also symbolically lifted the "ensign to all nations," inviting them to gather to Zion. From Ensign Peak the group had an excellent panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding area, the "resting place" God had designated for his people."

When arriving in Salt Lake Valley Brigham Young expressed his thoughts frankly with the church leaders, " I know that this is the spot, we were led by the Lord to it. We have come here according to the suggestion and direction of Joseph Smith. I knew this spot as soon as I saw it. Up there on that table ground we shall erect the Standard of Freedom... Joseph Smith and myself had both seen this place years ago and that is why we are here."

B.H. Roberts explains the pioneers use and need for an LDS FLAG as this: "The Ensign that these Latter-day Saint Pioneers had in mind, and of which they had frequently spoke en route, was something larger and greater than any national flag whatsoever; and what it was meant to represent was greater than any earthly kingdom's interest… This Ensign in the minds of the Mormon Pioneers concerned not one nation, but all nations; not one epoch or age, but all epochs and all ages; not nationality buy humanity, is its scope and concern. It was the sign and ensign of the Empire of Christ; it was a prophecy of the time to come when the kingdoms of this world would become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and forever."

From the start of the Mormon settlement in Utah, its citizens commemorated the raising of an Ensign on the hill Brigham Young named Ensign Peak. Displaying the kingdom's flag on the sacred hill for the first July 24th celebration, in 1849, was an important event. LDS had displayed an LDS flag in several locations that day as Brigham Young records. "My flag that used to fly on the Nauvoo temple was hoisted on the east side of the bowery." Several journals record that on that day, "During the first Pioneer Day celebration in 1849, Mormon pioneers also unfurled a special banner on its summit, which they called 'the Flag of the Kingdom' or the 'Flag of Deseret."

(Above:Left, the deathmask of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Center, photo of President Brigham Young. Right, Salt Lake Temple and fountain.)

An LDS Flag (called various names, including The Flag of the Kingdom of God, Standard to the Nations, Standard of Peace, Ensign to the World, Deseret National Flag, The Church Flag, etc.) was displayed by the church when the corner stones of the Salt Lake Temple were laid, as referenced in the Deseret News conference report of April 1853. An LDS Flag, "a blue-and-white banner with stripes and twelve stars encircling a single large star, was unfurled to the breeze"

An LDS Flag is also referenced in songs of the church. High On A Mountain Top A Banner is Unfurled, Ye Nations Now Look Up It Waves To All The World! (Joel H. Johnson, 1853). The morning breaks, the shadows flee. Lo, Zion's standard is unfurled! (Parley P. Pratt, 1840) As an ensign to the nation, They unfurled the flag of truth. (Ida R. Alldredge,1948)

AN ENSIGN TODAY

(Flags at Ensign Peak today.)

Why do we need an LDS Flag?
An LDS Flag is a fulfillment of prophesy. We know for certain that all of the revelations spoken by the mouths of the ancient and modern prophets must come to pass. So to “Lift up an Ensign to the world” both figuratively (the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel) and literally (an LDS Flag raised on Ensign Peak in 1847) are a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy. We even sing about this fulfillment in Joel H. Johnson’s Hymn written in 1853: High on a Mountain Top… “A banner is unfurled; Ye nations now look up, it waves to all the world… For God remembers still, His promise made of old; That He on Zion’s Hill, truth’s standard would unfold…”

What value or purpose does a flag bring?
People need flags. There seems to be, in all people, an innate desire for an outward expression of an inner commitment. People from various cultures worldwide throughout history have used flags. Flags are displayed at various times and for specific purposes. Cities, states, and countries have their banners which are flown as a certain society’s identification. Families, businesses, schools, and clubs fly flags for certain occasions. Most are proprietary and individualized; made to represent the heritage and culture of the standard bearer.

Some of the value and purpose of a flag is to honor, unify, promise, commemorate, and exalt. A flag can reveal participation in a practice, express one’s view to others, and give information. A flag is the externalization of hopes and beliefs; a symbol of truth and a reminder of a promise to follow a prescribed plan. A flag can communicate an enormous amount of information within its simple display. (See LDS Flag “symbolism” below.)

Today, each government in the world has a flag; many have existed for centuries, while others represent the newness or rebirth of a particular nation. As governments change, so do their flags. Major (and a significant amount of minor) religious denominations have their own flags. Displaying a church flag seems to be a basic necessity for many followers of the various world religions. However, until recently, most members of the LDS church had forgotten, or never knew that they had a flag to call their own. We, as members of the LDS faith, living in freedom, have a wonderful opportunity to display the LDS Flag(TM) as a beacon for all the world to see!

LDS Flag and spiritual strength go hand in hand?
It’s a wonderful blessing to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We should love the gospel and feel “not ashamed” of our wonderful heritage. As Elder Mark E. Petersen has said, “How fortunate we are, then, to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I think of it, I ask again the question: Is there anything in this church that we need to be ashamed of? Or are you glad to be able to say to those with whom you associate, ‘I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.’ ” (New Era, July, 1979)

President Gordon B. Hinckley has clearly declared to all the world, “This church is true. It will weather every storm that beats against it. It will outlast every critic who rises to mock it. It was established by God our Eternal Father for the blessing of His sons and daughters, of all generations. It carries the name of Him who stands as its head, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. It is governed and moves by the power of the priesthood. It sends forth to the world another witness of the divinity of the Lord. Be faithful, my friends. Be true. Be loyal to the great things of God which have been reveled in this dispensation.” (Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Sept. 1985)

Is the LDS Flag a symbol for the hope of a better society?
Most definitely! The LDS Flag is a symbol not only for the hope of a better tomorrow, but a testimony of a society and culture that has grown through adversity. As prophets have emphasized, "Whatsoever is good, cometh from God" (Alma 5:40). The LDS Flag is an emblem of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the purpose of the Gospel is to bring about a better way of life: a “good” society that can establish a social order here on earth in which perfection in the laws, government, morality, and spirituality of the people would prevail. All of the holy prophets and all good men and women have consciously worked toward the building of a better world.

WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM OF THE LDS FLAG(TM)?

THE COLORS: Blue and white, symbolize Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Colors of Blue and white are to help us remember the promises we made with the Lord at baptism. Blue represents immersion in water at baptism, and White represents receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. As a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we: 1. Join the Church of Jesus Christ, God's kingdom on earth; 2. Take upon us the name of Chirst; 3. Bear each other's burdens and comfort those in need; 4. Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places; 5. Agree to serve God and keep his commandments.

Blue is for Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren). White is for Repentance and shows that our red colored sins are removed by the Lord (Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together Saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool). Blue is for Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. (Eph. 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism). "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16). White is for the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Acts 13: 2-3 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away).

WHITE: White represents purity; the Savior's atoning sacrifice; the Spirit of the Lord; the heavenly Kingdom of God; peace; the Holy Ghost; and God's pure love for all his children.

BLUE: The color blue represents priesthood; the Gospel of Christ; enduring faith; baptism by immersion; the firmament (blue sky), which should remind us to follow all of God's commandments and ordinances; the earthly Kingdom of God; and our relationship with and love for the Lord.

TWELVE: The 12 stripes (alternating blue and white) represent perfection; the 12 tribes of Israel; and the 12 properly ordained apostles of the Lord through all ages of time.

LARGE STAR: The large star in the center of the circling stars represents the Savior, Jesus Christ; and God's Pure Love.

STARS: The 12 circling stars represent Perfection; the gathering of the 12 tribes of Israel for the Savior's return; the 12 apostles and prophets of the Lord; and all people who identify, understand, and follow the Savior ('Come unto Christ'). Total 13 stars represent completely following God's will; and a reminder of the 13 LDS Articles of Faith.

More Symbolism/Information on LDS Flag