Religious Freedom
Religious Freedom


Teachings from Church Leaders

See what Church leaders have taught about the importance of religious freedom.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks discusses the importance of loving others while still staying true to your beliefs.

Elder Robert D. Hales shares four things we must each do to safeguard religious freedom.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson discusses ways to protect religious freedom in everyday life.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband talks about the threats against religious freedom and the importance of creating a space for all people to live according to their beliefs.

Elder Von G. Keetch of the Seventy discusses how we can teach and defend the gospel while still showing love and kindness to those who disagree with our beliefs.

Foundational Talks from Prophets and Apostles

Church leaders talk frequently about religious freedom. Learn more from these recent addresses.

The Crucible: The Atonement, Moral Agency, and the Law,” Lance B. Wickman, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Feb. 17, 2017

Elections, Hope, and Freedom,” Dallin H. Oaks, BYU devotional, Sept. 13, 2016

Concerns and Counsel,” Dallin H. Oaks, U.S. Religious Freedom Conference, Sept. 10, 2016

Bound by Loving Ties,” Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU Campus Education Week devotional, Aug. 16, 2016

Religious Freedom—A Cherished Heritage to Defend,” D. Todd Christofferson, Freedom Festival Patriotic Service, June 26, 2016

An Example of the Believers,” Von G. Keetch of the Seventy, Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, June 14, 2016

The Complementary Functions of Religion and Government in a Global Setting,” Dallin H. Oaks, Oxford University lecture, June 9, 2016

Why We All Have a Stake in Protecting Religious Freedom,” D. Todd Christofferson, Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Convention, May 20, 2016

Religious Freedom in Mexico,” Dallin H. Oaks, First Meeting of National Awareness for Religious Freedom, A.C., Mexico City, April 14, 2016

Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Society,” Dallin H. Oaks, Claremont Graduate University Religious Freedom Conference, March 25, 2016

The Boundary between Church and State,” Dallin H. Oaks, Second Annual Sacramento Court/Clergy Conference, October 20, 2015

Religious Freedom and Fairness for All,” Ronald A. Rasband, BYU devotional, September 15, 2015

Watchmen on the Tower,” D. Todd Christofferson, Clark Memorandum, Spring 2015, 4–11

Religious Liberty Lecture,” Quentin L. Cook, Notre Dame Sydney School of Law, May 27, 2015

A Celebration of Religious Freedom,” D. Todd Christofferson, interfaith address in São Paulo, Brazil, April 29, 2015

Challenges to Religious Freedom,” Dallin H. Oaks, Argentina Council for Foreign Relations, April 23, 2015

Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom,” Robert D. Hales, April 2015 general conference

Faith, Family, and Religious Freedom,” Jeffrey R. Holland, Chapman University, February 26, 2015

News Conference on Religious Freedom and Nondiscrimination,” Dallin H. Oaks, Jeffrey R. Holland, D. Todd Christofferson, and Neill F. Marriott, January 27, 2015

Loving Others and Living with Differences,” Dallin H. Oaks, October 2014 general conference

Hope for the Years Ahead,” Dallin H. Oaks, Utah Valley University Constitutional Symposium on Religious Freedom, April 16, 2014

Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage,” Quentin L. Cook, October 2013 general conference

Faith, Family, and Religious Freedom,” Jeffrey R. Holland, J. Rueben Clark Law School Society, February 15, 2013

The Restoration of Morality and Religious Freedom,” Quentin L. Cook, BYU–Idaho Commencement, December 16, 2011

Truth and Tolerance,” Dallin H. Oaks, CES fireside, September 11, 2011

Preserving Religious Freedom,” Dallin H. Oaks, Chapman University School of Law, February 4, 2011

Fundamentals of Our Constitutions,” Dallin H. Oaks, Utah’s Constitution Day Celebration, September 17, 2010

Fundamental Premises of Our Faith,” Dallin H. Oaks, Harvard Law School, February 2010

Moral Discipline,” D. Todd Christofferson, October 2009 general conference

Religious Freedom,” Dallin H. Oaks, BYU–Idaho devotional, October 13, 2009

Engaging without Being Defensive,” M. Russell Ballard, BYU Commencement address, August 13, 2009

Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship,” Robert D. Hales, October 2008 general conference

Doctrine of Inclusion,” M. Russell Ballard, October 2001 general conference

Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Russell M. Nelson, April 1994 general conference

A New Civil Religion,” James E. Faust, Ensign, October 1992, 69–71

Religious Values and Public Policy,” Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, October 1992, 60–64

Religion in a Free Society,” M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, October 1992, 64–69

The Divinely Inspired Constitution,” Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, February 1992, 68–74