The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in the importance of defending and preserving religious freedom throughout the world. The following is a six-part series of commentaries exploring the Church's position on Religious Freedom:
Part 1: An Introduction to Religious Freedom
Part 2: What Religious Freedom Means: Religious freedom is a fundamental freedom that runs deeper and reaches farther than many realize.
Part 3: Why We Need Religious Freedom: Religious freedom, or freedom of conscience, is critical to the health of a diverse society.
Part 4: Why Religious Freedom Matters to Mormons: Religious freedom is both a lesson of Mormons’ history and a principle of their faith.
Part 5: How Religion is Vital to Society: Religion is essential to a vibrant, democratic society.
Part 6: What Religious Freedom Requires of Us: Religious Freedom Is as Much a Duty toward Others as It Is a Right for Oneself.
Listed below are significant speeches given by Church leaders that also address the Church’s position on religious freedom:
"The Restoration of Morality and Religious Freedom"
Elder Quentin L. Cook
16 December 2011
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Full text of speech
News release
"Truth and Tolerance"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
BYU Marriott Center
11 September 2011
Full text of speech
News release
"Preserving Religious Freedom"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Chapman University School of Law
4 February 2011
Full text of speech
News release
"Fundamentals of Our Constitution"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Tabernacle in Salt Lake City
17 September 2010
Full text of speech
News release
"We Are All Enlisted"
Elder Russell M. Nelson
To the Young Adults of the Boston and Hingham Stakes
10 June 2010
Excerpts from speech
"The Threatened Demise of Religion in the Public Square"
Elder Lance B. Wickman
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
11 February 2010
Full text of speech
"Religious Freedom"
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Brigham Young University-Idaho
13 October 2009
Full text of speech
News release
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George of the Catholic Church also addressed the subject of religious freedom during a speech at Brigham Young University:
“Catholics and Latter-day Saints: Partners in the Defense of Religious Freedom”
Cardinal Francis George
Brigham Young University
23 February 2010
Full text of speech (.pdf file)
News release