Religious freedom protects worship, conscience, family life, and moral agency. Learn why Latter-day Saints value religious liberty for all people.

This article is one in a series about principles of freedom and religious liberty. It is based on principles from the book American Principles of Freedom: A Latter-day Saint Perspective, which celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Read other articles in the series #America250.

Religious freedom is one of the most important rights protected by the Constitution. It allows people to worship according to conscience, live their beliefs openly, and teach faith within their families and communities.

For Latter-day Saints, religious freedom matters deeply because agency is central to God’s plan. Heavenly Father allows His children to make choices. Faith must be voluntary. Worship cannot be forced.

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects both the free exercise of religion and freedom from government-established religion. These protections have blessed millions of people of many faiths.

Religious Freedom Helped the Restoration

The Restoration of the gospel benefited greatly from religious liberty in early America. Joseph Smith could pray openly, talk about the First Vision, organize the Church, publish the Book of Mormon, and preach restored doctrine because constitutional protections existed. President Dallin H. Oaks taught that without these religious freedoms, “America could not have served as the host nation for the Restoration of the gospel…” (“Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution,” April 2021 General Conference)

Before the American founding, many governments tightly controlled religion. In some nations, people could be punished for worshipping differently from the state-approved church. The Constitution helped establish a different pattern, one where citizens could worship according to conscience.

Doctrine and Covenants 134 teaches, “We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it…” (Doctrine and Covenants 134:4)

Religious Freedom Protects Everyone

Religious liberty is not only for one church or one group of believers. It protects everyone.

President Dallin H. Oaks has repeatedly taught that people with differing beliefs should treat one another with respect and fairness: “…as followers of Christ we should live peacefully with others who do not share our values or accept the teachings upon which they are based.” (“Loving Others and Living with Differences,” October 2014 General Conference)

Religious freedom allows:

• Churches to worship openly
• Parents to teach faith in the home
• Religious groups to serve communities
• Individuals to speak according to conscience
• Citizens to live their beliefs peacefully

When religious freedom weakens, other freedoms often weaken as well.

Freedom Requires Respect

Religious freedom also requires mutual respect. People in a free society will not agree on every belief, value, or moral issue. The Constitution protects both freedom of religion and freedom of speech, even when disagreements exist.

We should not expect that all laws will conform to our religious beliefs, but we should seek fairness for all. Latter-day Saints can defend religious liberty while still showing kindness and respect toward people whose beliefs differ from their own. The gospel teaches both conviction and compassion.

Religious Freedom Strengthens Society

Religious communities often strengthen society in important ways. Churches and faith-based organizations provide:

• Service to the poor
• Disaster relief
• Education
• Counseling and support
• Moral teaching
• Community connection

Strong faith communities also help teach honesty, responsibility, compassion, and self-control. These virtues strengthen families and communities.

The founders understood that religion and morality contribute to the stability of a free society. George Washington wrote that “religion and morality are indispensable supports” of political prosperity.

What We Can Do

Latter-day Saints can help preserve religious freedom by:

• Respecting the rights of others
• Participating responsibly in civic life
• Speaking with kindness and courage
• Teaching faith in the home
• Supporting fairness and constitutional principles
• Living gospel teachings consistently

Religious freedom is more than a legal protection. It helps preserve moral agency, family life, and the ability to seek God according to conscience. For Latter-day Saints, defending religious liberty means defending one of the essential conditions that allows faith to flourish.

Learn more:

• “Religious Freedom” in Topics and Questions, ChurchofJesusChrist.org
• “Religious Freedom” in the Church’s Newsroom
• Articles about about religious freedom and moral agency.
• Read the book American Principles of Freedom: A Latter-day Saint Perspective.

How to access the book

• Read or download a free PDF.
• Purchase on Amazon as a paperback for only $8.95 or get as Kindle or audiobook free with your membership
• Purchase on Lulu as a paperback for only $8.95