Why Is Religious Freedom Essential for Peace?

The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday has to do with religious freedom and peace. According to President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, religious freedom is “the cornerstone of peace in a world with many competing philosophies.”

President Christofferson and his wife, Kathy Christofferson, along with Elder Matthew S. Holland, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Paige Holland, visited Philadelphia – the foundational hub of U.S. democracy. They toured historic sites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, on Friday, June 12, 2026.

According to Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Deseret News, the Christoffersons and Hollands were joined by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Alexander Dushku of the Seventy as well as other leaders of faith at the Canterbury Medal Gala

on Thursday evening. The event is an annual gathering sponsored by Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a non-profit, public-interest legal and educational institute. 

President Christofferson offered the invocation at the Becket event, held as the United States celebrates the nation’s 250^th anniversary. Weaver reported as follows.

“Moral agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for ourselves, is essential to God’s plan of salvation,” President Christofferson wrote on social media after the event.

“Religious freedom ensures that people can exercise their agency in matters of faith.

“We are grateful to be associated with so many wonderful people of faith who we stand with to advocate for religious freedom….

Reflecting on his time in Philadelphia, President Christofferson noted a key verse found in Latter-day Saint scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 101. It teaches that the Constitution was “established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh.”

“[That means] all mankind, not just in this nation but everywhere in the world,” President Christofferson said. “I think it’s proven to be that wherever those principles have been adopted, the people have flourished and the blessings that we enjoy have been enjoyed by them.” …

Both President Christofferson and Elder Holland (who leads Latter-day Saint global communication efforts) praised Becket for defending and promoting religious liberty for all, according to the news release.

“I think about that Joseph Smith statement, that [he would] be willing to die for the rights of all different faiths – Catholic, Jews, Muslims. Not just our own,” Elder Holland said. “We see that with Becket. We’re willing to stand with others to defend their rights. And they’re willing to stand with us. There’s a power and a principle of equality and inclusiveness that we’re doing this in a multifaith way.”

President Christofferson said Becket is very effective. “They do a superb work. The key to their success is that they’re focused on religious liberty for everyone. Not just certain faiths, but all faiths and even those who have no faith. They are intent on ensuring that everyone has what the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights provides, and that is freedom of belief and religion and practice.”

Where Can We Find Peace?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 19 in a lesson titled “Learn of Me.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

It took Martin and Lucy Harris years to acquire one of the finest farms in Palmyra, New York. But in 1829 it became clear that the Book of Mormon could be published only if Martin mortgaged his farm to pay the printer. Martin had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but Lucy did not. If Martin went forward with the mortgage and the Book of Mormon did not sell well, he would lose his farm, put his marriage at risk, and damage his reputation in the community. Although our circumstances are different from Martin’s, at some time or another we all face difficult questions like those he faced: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ worth to me? What am I willing to sacrifice to help build God’s kingdom? Martin Harris ultimately decided that he would mortgage his farm so the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon could be printed. But even this sacrifice—and any sacrifice we might make—is small compared to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “the greatest of all” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18), who bled from every pore to save the repentant.

The scripture block contained the following principles: (1) “I, God, am endless” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-12, (2) Jesus Christ suffered so that I can repent and come unto Him (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-20), (3) Peace comes from learning of Jesus Christ and following Him (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23), and God’s blessings are greater than the treasures of the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 19:26-41).

I feel prompted to discuss principle #3, Peace comes from learning of Jesus Christ and following Him. I will begin by sharing the scripture reference, Doctrine and Covenants 19:23.

23 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

This verse gives the steps to finding peace in Jesus Christ: (1) learn about Him, (2) study what He has said, and (3) be humble and obedient and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

In Doctrine and Covenants 19, we learn some important information about Jesus Christ. First, He introduces Himself. Second, He discusses repentance and the reasons why mortals need to repent. Third, He tells us of His experience in atoning for our sins. There is much more in the scripture block, but my purposes are covered in these few verses.

15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-20; emphasis added)

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke about peace and how to find it. He shared five truths that he found in the teachings of the Savior about peace. (“Finding Personal Peace,” Liahona, May 2023, 29–31)

First, the gift of peace is given after we have the faith to keep His commandments. For those who are covenant members of the Lord’s Church, obedience is what we have already promised to do.

Second, the Holy Ghost will come and abide with us. The Lord says that as we continue to be faithful, the Holy Ghost will dwell in us. That is the promise in the sacramental prayer that the Spirit will be our companion and that we will feel, in our hearts and minds, His comfort.

Third, the Savior promises that as we keep our covenants, we can feel the love of the Father and the Son for each other and for us. We can feel Their closeness in our mortal lives, just as we will when we are blessed to be with Them forever.

Fourth, keeping the Lord’s commandments requires more than obedience. We are to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and soul.

Those who do not love Him do not keep His commandments. And so they will not have the gift of peace in this life and in the world to come.

Fifth, it is clear that the Lord loved us enough to pay the price of our sins so that we can—through our faith in Him and our repentance, through the effects of His Atonement—have the gift of the peace that “passeth all understanding,” in this life and with Him eternally.

Another source for learning about the peace that Jesus Christ offers is this video “Peace in Christ.” 

Where Can We Find Peace and Joy?

            My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to many Old Testament scriptures as well as scriptures in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament scriptures and the Book of Mormon scriptures contained prophecies of the coming Messiah, and the New Testament scriptures contained a record of the fulfillment of those prophecies. It is fitting that we studied about the Atonement of Jesus Christ this week because tomorrow is Easter, the day that all Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

            The lesson was introduced with a reminder that the life of Jesus Christ “is central to all human history” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles”).  The introduction continued:

What does that mean? In part, it surely means that the Savior’s life influences the eternal destiny of every human being who has ever lived or will ever live. You might also say that the life and mission of Jesus Christ, culminating in His Resurrection on that first Easter Sunday, connects all of God’s people throughout history: Those who were born before Christ looked forward to Him with faith (see Book of Mormon - Jacob 4:4), and those born after look back on Him with faith. As we read Old Testament accounts and prophecies, we don’t ever see the name Jesus Christ, but we do see the evidence of the ancient believers’ faith in and longing for their Messiah and Redeemer. So we who are invited to remember Him can feel a connection with those who looked forward to Him. For truly Jesus Christ has borne “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6; italics added), and “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22; italics added).

            The lesson contains many principles, but the principle upon which I will focus is the simple fact that you and I can find peace and joy through the Savior’s Atonement. Jesus Christ made peace and joy available to us through His atoning sacrifice, and He has offered joy and peace to all who come unto Him throughout time (see Moses 5:9-12). Verse nine tells us the following.

9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will.

            God will not force any of us to do His will because He allows us to use our agency to make choices. If we choose to come unto Him, He will redeem us and make it possible for us to enjoy everlasting joy and peace.

As I started this post, the words of a hymn came to me, so I will share them with my readers. The hymn is “Where Can I Turn for Peace?” with text by Emma Lou Thayne, and music by Joleen G. Meredith.

Verse 1

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart,

Searching my soul?

Verse 2

Where, when my aching grows,

Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.

Verse 3

He answers privately,

Reaches my reaching

In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind,

Love without end.

            Ancient and modern prophets and apostles have taught that we must turn to Jesus Christ for redemption. We celebrate Easter because He overcame death and sin, and He made it possible for each of us to do the same. President Russell M. Nelson taught the following in October 2016 General Conference (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 81-84).

Life is filled with detours and dead ends, trials and challenges of every kind. Each of us has likely had times when distress, anguish, and despair almost consumed us. Yet we are here to have joy?

Yes! The answer is a resounding yes! But how is that possible? And what must we do to claim the joy that Heavenly Father has in store for us? …

My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. (Italics added.)

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening – or not happening – in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” And we can feel it all year round….

How, then, can we claim that joy? We can start by “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” [Hebrews 12:2] “in every thought” [Doctrine and Covenants 6:36. We can give thanks for Him in our prayers and by keeping covenants we’ve made with Him and our Heavenly Father. As our Savior becomes more and more real to us and as we plead for His joy to be given to us, our joy will increase.

Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives….

            So, let us focus our lives on Jesus Christ, the Source of joy and peace. I invite you to learn more about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. He completed His sacrifice that we might have joy. Easter season is a time of celebration because Jesus Christ overcame death and sin and made it possible for us to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for eternity.

           

Christ's Gifts

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason why we celebrate this season. He came to earth in the same way that all babies come, but He is the Son of God. We don’t celebrate His birth simply because He was born. We celebrate His birth because of the life He lived. Because He lived a perfect life, and then was willing to give up His life, all of us may live again after we leave this mortal life.

Jesus Christ gave us many gifts. He gave us freedom from death through the power of His Resurrection. By His power over death, He made it possible for all of us to have our bodies and spirits united in such a way that they will never be separated again.

Jesus Christ also gave us freedom from sin through the power of His Atonement. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and exercises that faith in the process of repenting for his/her sins will have the sins forgiven and will become clean. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the principle of repentance, we can all enjoy freedom from sin.

Freedom from death and freedom from sin are not the only gifts that God has given to His children. We received our very first gift - agency, the freedom to choose – before we left our Father’s presence. Other gifts or freedoms come from living in obedience to the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ. By living as God wants us to live, we can be free from causing abuse or divorce or contention or war. Jesus Christ is the great Peace Maker. Those who follow His teachings receive the great gift of peace in their lives no matter what happens around them. They will also receive the greatest gift of all - the gift of eternal life. I hope that you enjoy your celebration even more today because you know that Jesus Christ has given us the greatest gifts of all.

Insure Domestic Tranquility

I now returned to our study of the United States Constitution in which we are currently studying the principles found in the Preamble. The Constitution is designed to insure peace, security, and domestic tranquility among Americans. This principle indicates that the people have the Right to live in a land of law and order and thus have a feeling of peace and security. The responsibility for protecting life, liberty and property as well as maintaining order was bestowed on the states. If mobs were destroying property and killing citizens or if an invading enemy sought to overthrow state government, the states could call on federal forces for help. If - and only if - the state government were too weak to protect its citizens, then the federal forces could step in to help the citizens. As a means to protect the states, the Founders wrote it into the Constitution that all states were to be represented equally by each having two senators. They also wrote a clause enabling two-thirds of the state legislators at any time to propose and make legal alternations in the general system in case the federal government became overbearing. A simple way of teaching this principle to our families would be to remind the children that father has some responsibilities and mother has other responsibilities to take care of the family. They help each other, but they don't overstep the boundaries. For example, mom cannot go to the office to do dad's work - or vice versa. In the country, just like in our homes, we have to work together and get along in order to have peace and feel secure.