Question
Gramps,
With everything going on in our nation and in the world today, where our rights are being threatened, what can we do to make sure that religious freedom is kept and sustained?
Jackson
Answer
Jackson,
Religious freedom is a topic that receives significant attention in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We often hear Church leaders speak about it, read statements from the Church encouraging it, and see efforts worldwide to protect it. But sometimes we may wonder: What can an ordinary member of the Church actually do to help?
The answer is that protecting religious freedom is not the responsibility of governments, courts, or Church leaders alone. It is something every disciple of Jesus Christ can support in simple and meaningful ways.
One reason religious freedom matters so much is that agency is central to Heavenly Father’s plan. The Lord allows His children to choose for themselves. Throughout scripture, God invites, persuades, teaches, and warns, but He does not force belief. Because agency is sacred, the freedom to worship—or not worship—according to one’s conscience is also sacred.
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches:
“We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege” (Article of Faith 11).
That final phrase is important. We do not simply claim religious liberty for ourselves. We support the same rights for everyone.
Elder Russell M. Nelson had this to say about the 11th Article of Faith:
“I marvel at the inspiration of the Prophet Joseph Smith when he penned the eleventh article of faith: ‘We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.'” (Teach Us Tolerance and Love)
Sometimes it is tempting to think that religious freedom matters only when our own beliefs are challenged. However, the restored gospel teaches something broader. If we want our rights protected, we should also defend the rights of our neighbors—even when they belong to a different faith or no faith at all.
Elder David A. Bednar taught:
“There is a paradox in religious freedom—if I want my religious freedom to be protected, then I must protect the religious freedom of those who believe in a basically different way from my own. This is our task. And it will be our ongoing challenge. Religious freedom is more than a right; it is a duty.” (Elder David A. Bednar, interfaith meeting in Brazil, March 2018.)
One of the simplest ways Latter-day Saints can help religious freedom is by showing genuine respect for people whose beliefs differ from ours.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors. That includes neighbors who attend another church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or who have no religious affiliation. Respectful conversations, kindness, and friendship help create an environment where people can practice their beliefs without fear.
When we defend others’ rights, we strengthen the principles that protect everyone. Another way to support religious freedom is by learning about it. Many members know that religious freedom is important, but fewer understand why. Taking time to study what Church leaders have taught can be valuable. The Church’s official statements on religious liberty consistently emphasize that religious freedom is not merely a political issue. It is a moral and spiritual principle that allows individuals and families to live according to their deepest convictions.
Understanding these principles helps us discuss them intelligently and charitably when opportunities arise. We can also support religious freedom by being good examples of religious believers. Sometimes people develop concerns about religion after seeing believers act with anger, intolerance, or hypocrisy. One of the best defenses of religious liberty is a life that reflects Christlike behavior. When members of the Church are honest, compassionate, humble, and service-oriented, they help others see the positive role faith can play in society.
The Savior taught:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” (Matthew 5:16).
People are often more willing to support religious freedom when they see religious people blessing their communities.
Another important way to help is by participating in respectful civic engagement. The Church does not endorse political parties or candidates. However, it encourages members to be informed citizens and to participate in the political process. Voting, staying informed, communicating respectfully with elected officials, and supporting policies that protect freedom of conscience can all be appropriate ways to contribute.
The key is remembering that discipleship comes before politics. Church leaders have repeatedly encouraged members to engage with others respectfully, even when disagreements exist. Defending religious freedom should never become an excuse for hostility or contention.
President Dallin H. Oaks also taught:
“The right relationship between religious freedom and nondiscrimination is best achieved by respecting each other enough to negotiate in good faith and by caring for each other enough that the freedom and protection we seek is not for ourselves alone.” (Going Forward With Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination)
Latter-day Saints can also build bridges with people of other faiths.
Elder Quentin L. Cook said:
“My plea is that all religions work together to defend faith and religious freedom in a manner that protects people of diverse faith as well as those of no faith. We must not only protect our ability to profess our own religion, but also protect the right of each religion to administer its own doctrines and laws.” (Religious Freedom For All Faiths and People)
In many places, different religious groups face similar challenges. Rather than viewing other faith communities as competitors, we can see them as partners in preserving the freedom to worship.
President Russell M. Nelson has frequently encouraged cooperation and friendship among people of different faith traditions. Working together on humanitarian projects, community service, and civic initiatives often strengthens mutual understanding and respect.
Ironically, one of the strongest ways to protect our own religious freedom is to help protect someone else’s.
We should also remember that religious freedom includes responsibilities.
Sometimes discussions about religious liberty focus entirely on rights. Rights are important, but discipleship also involves responsibilities. As followers of Christ, we should exercise our freedoms with kindness, wisdom, and consideration for others.
The Apostle Paul taught that even when something is lawful, believers should seek what is beneficial and edifying. In other words, freedom should be used to bless others rather than simply to assert ourselves.
Religious freedom works best when people voluntarily treat one another with respect. Perhaps one of the most powerful things we can do is pray. The scriptures frequently encourage us to pray for leaders, governments, and nations. We can pray that hearts will be softened, that communities will be peaceful, and that people everywhere will enjoy the blessings of conscience and worship. Prayer may seem small compared to legal battles or public debates, but faithful Saints understand that the Lord can influence hearts and circumstances in ways we cannot.
Finally, we should remember that religious freedom is ultimately connected to the work of salvation. Missionary work, family worship, temple worship, scripture study, and gathering Israel all depend upon people having the freedom to seek God according to their conscience. The more religious liberty exists, the more opportunities people have to hear the gospel and choose for themselves whether to accept it.
Here is the Church’s official statement on religious freedom:
“Religious freedom protects the rights of all people to peacefully believe and act according to their conscience.” (Religious Freedom)
That does not mean everyone must agree with us. Agency requires a genuine choice. But it does mean that every person should have the opportunity to seek truth without coercion or interference.
As Latter-day Saints, we help the cause of religious freedom when we respect others, defend the rights of all people, participate responsibly in our communities, build friendships across faiths, live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and pray for the blessings of liberty.
In the end, religious freedom is not merely about protecting institutions or winning arguments. It is about honoring God’s gift of agency. It is about creating a society in which every individual can sincerely seek the truth and worship according to their conscience.
That is a cause worthy of every disciple of Jesus Christ.
Gramps
