The Bible in America's Memorials

The Bible’s influence on American history is evident in its memorials.

U.S. Capitol Building.

Many of the eight large paintings in the rotunda depict America’s Christian heritage, including the baptism of the Indian princess Pocahontas and the Virginia charter. One painting depicts Pilgrim leader William Brewster holding an open Bible inscribed with the words, “The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

The chapel of the House of Representatives contains an open Bible on an altar in front of a stained glass window depicting George Washington in prayer and the words, “Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust” (Psalm 16:1).

Behind the Speaker’s rostrum in the House of Representatives are the words of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

The White House.

The Adams Prayer Mantel was installed in 1945 by Franklin D. Roosevelt and contains a prayer by John Adams, second president of the United States. “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and on all those that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

Library of Congress.

The Library of Congress was completed in 1897 and was named the Thomas Jefferson Building. On the walls  following verses are inscribed:

 “The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (John 1:5);

 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7);

“What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8);

“The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

On permanent display are two Latin Bibles. One of the Bibles on display at the Library of Congress is an original Gutenberg Bible of 1453, the first printed Bible. The other Bible on display is the Great Bible of Mainz. It was handwritten and dates to 1453.

The Library of Congress also has a statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments and a statue of Paul. Above the Paul statue is the Micah 6:8 inscription.

Supreme Court Building.

At the top of the east entrance of the Supreme Court building are images of three lawgivers: Moses of Israel, Confucius of China, and Solon of Greece. Moses is the central and largest figure and holds the tablets of the Ten Commandments. On the wooden doors of the main entrance to the courtroom and on the outer bronze doors are images of the Ten Commandments

Inside the courtroom,  the wall right above where the Supreme Court judges sit,there is a display of the Ten Commandments

Jefferson Memorial.

Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence and America’s third president. From the Declaration of Independence are the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Washington Monument.

It memorializes America’s foremost founding father, George Washington. Inscribed on the east face of the 6.25-pound aluminum capstone is Laus Deo (“Praise Be to God”).

 Many of the 36,000 marble and granite stones are inscribed with Bible verses and references to God, such as the following: “Holiness to the Lord” (Exodus 28:26); “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39); “The memory of the just is blessed” (Proverbs 10:7); “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Washington founded the custom of American presidents swearing the oath of office on a Bible. Its is Washington who proclaimed the nation’s first national Thanksgiving day.

National Archives. There is a bronze emblem of the Ten Commandments on the floor.

Lincoln Memorial. This was built in honor of Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th President (1861-1865). Lincoln abolished slavery in America. On the wall of the north chamber are the words, “Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh” (Matthew 18:7); and, “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9).

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. This memorial was opened in 1984 and is situated in Judiciary Square, which is the location of five American courts. The memorial contains the names of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. One of the quotations inscribed on the monument is Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Union Station. The Union railway station in Washington, D.C., was opened in 1907. Though it isn’t a government building, it is an illustration of the Bible’s great influence on American society .Three Bible verses are inscribed above the entrance facing the direction of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol. The verses are John 8:32, “The truth shall make you free”; Psalm 8:6, “Thou hast put all things under his feet”; and Isaiah 35:1, “The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”

Daughters of the American Revolution building. A statue of George Washington is inscribed with “Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28).

Federal Hall in New York City. New York was America’s capital before it moved to Washington D.C., and Washington took the oath of office as president on the balcony of Federal Hall. Near the statue and associated with it is an engraving of Washington in prayer. He is depicted on his knees in the famous prayer scene at Valley Forge.