You’ve heard bits and pieces about the LDS Church’s stance on religious freedom and LGBT rights. Here are five key beliefs, as outlined by Church leaders.
In a historic news conference held on January 27, 2015, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took a bold stance on religious freedom and called for legislation to protect those freedoms. Elder D. Todd Christofferson conducted the news conference.
Sister Neill F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, reaffirmed that sexual relations should occur only between a man and woman who are married to each other.
“This commandment and doctrine comes from sacred scripture and we are not at liberty to change it,” she said. “But, God is loving and merciful. His heart reaches out to all of His children equally and He expects us to treat each other with love and fairness.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained five key LDS beliefs about religious freedom:
- The Church supports legislation that defends LGBT housing, employment, and public transportation rights.
- The Church believes in fairness for all people. This means that the Church will support reasonable protections for LGBT people while also preserving LDS Church doctrine, beliefs, and practices.
- Democracy suffers when religious individuals are persecuted.
- There are no changes in Church doctrine regarding marriage.
- In the quest for balance, Church members must be tolerant and respectful of all beliefs.
Elder Holland concluded the news conference by saying, “We must find ways to show respect for others whose beliefs, values, and behaviors differ from our own, while never being forced to deny or abandon our own beliefs, values, and behaviors in the process.”
Read Mormon Newsroom’s full article, “Mormon Leaders Call for Laws that Protect Religious Freedom.”
Source: Mormon Newsroom
—Alissa Holm, Mormon Insights
feature image by maciek lulko
Find more insights
Watch the full video of the news conference.
Read D&C 134 to learn more about religious freedom.
Read the Mormon Newsroom article “Religious Freedom Cases and Examples” to learn more about the recent attacks on religious freedom.
Watch a follow-up interview with Elder Oaks and Elder Christofferson conducted by the Salt Lake Tribune.
I’m thankful that the Church is open about the issues facing us, but we still stand strong in the doctrine the Lord has given us.
The Church does not stand idly by as the world tosses like the waves of the sea. As the world’s stance contradicts our own, the Church does not hesitate to stand still and immovable with the Lord’s established doctrines. It’s important that we share what we believe. Thank you for making this article more accessible to all people who may have questions regarding our beliefs.
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