It was reported by Mormon Newsroom recently that Elder Quentin L. Cook opened a Black Church Leadership Summit in Princeton New Jersey with an address that advocated a "fairness for all" approach in relation to the subject of religious freedom. Such principles are advocated in the 12th of the 13 Articles of Faith penned by Joseph Smith, who was the Lord's instrument in restoring to the earth the same Church established by Jesus Christ during his mortal ministry. That particular article of faith states: "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."
The reason that the Church and its leaders have been more vocal of late about advocating religious freedom primarily because there have been more governments and other entities lately that have tried to control or regulate the amount of influence any religion and its leaders can have on the lives of their members. This is in direct violation to the ideal of freedom of religion as set forth in the US Constitution. Additionally, the Church, in an essay on religious freedom, quoted the following statement by Joseph Smith:
“If it has been demonstrated
that I have been willing to die for a ‘Mormon,’ I am bold to declare
before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a
Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any denomination; for the same
principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would
trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination
who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves. It is a love of liberty
which inspires my soul — civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human
race."
This is why the Church has lately taken more steps to advocate, support, and campaign for religious freedom, and why we are seeing the leaders of the Church, particularly our apostles, extend their outreach on the subject to so many other friends of other faith. We are currently entering an era where so many governments restrict or forbid religion and the daily practice and influence of religious entities in the lives of their citizenry. When that happens, the power of faith in the lives of people everywhere has limits, and it should not be so. Everyone should be free to be able to practice whatever faith, if any, that they have, just as everyone should be free, if they so choose, to not believe or practice any faith whatsoever. Societies and governments thrive when such religious freedom is encouraged and supported. It is good to see the Church involve in such an outreach.
As with everything else, I will pass along any updates on these developments as I receive them.
Until then, thanks for the privilege of your time. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. I will be back again soon, probably later this week, if not tomorrow, with new posts. Until then, all the best.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Elder Quentin L. Cook Opens Black Church Leadership Summit
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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