827 Temple View Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89110
The Church of Jesus Christ in Las Vegas
  • BOOK A TOUR
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • About
    • FamilySearch Center
    • Resources
      • Interfaith
      • JustServe
      • Religious Freedom
      • Life Help
    • Contact Us
    • Giving Machine
827 Temple View Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89110
The Church of Jesus Christ in Las Vegas
  • Home
  • About
  • FamilySearch Center
  • Resources
    • Interfaith
    • JustServe
    • Religious Freedom
    • Life Help
  • Contact Us
  • Giving Machine

Religious Freedom

Homepage Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom

Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and basic principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Religious freedom embraces the right of individuals and organizations to speak openly and act on core beliefs without interference from government, fear of persecution or being denied equal rights or citizenship.

Constitution

Many of these principles are embodied in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” International human rights documents likewise recognize the universality of freedom of religion and belief. Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

It ensures that people teach their faith to their children, receive and disseminate religious information, gather to worship, and participate in the ceremonies and practices of their faith. It encompasses the right to form churches and other religious institutions, such as religious schools and charities. It affords such institutions the freedom to establish their doctrines and modes of worship; to organize their own ecclesiastical affairs; to determine requirements for membership, ecclesiastical office, and employment; and to own property and construct places of worship. “We do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship” or to “dictate forms for public or private devotion” (Doctrine & Covenants 134:4). 

Family Holding Hands

Religious freedom is not absolute. Limits on religious activities are appropriate where necessary to protect compelling interests, such as the life, property, health, or safety of others. But such limitations should be truly necessary, rather than an excuse for restricting religious freedom. Where the law limits religious freedom, Latter-day Saints believe in obeying the law while seeking protection for their fundamental rights through such lawful means as may be available in each jurisdiction or country. 

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in defending the religious freedom of others just as readily as their own. The Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other 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.”  

Learn More

Articles

Why Religious Freedom Matters

Religious Freedom and Fairness for All

Lift Where you Stand: 10 Ways to Protect Religious Freedom

Videos

Upcoming Event

14
Jul 2025
00:00
Young Men’s Organization 150th Anniversary Broadcast
Read More
14
Jun 2025
15:00
Pioneer Heritage Day at the Old LV Mormon State Historic Park
500 E. Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89101 United States
Read More
05
May 2025
01:00
Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults with Relief Society General President Camille Johnson
Read More

Recent Posts

  • Come Celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the First Settlers at the Old Mormon Fort Thursday, 5, Jun
  • Interfaith Service Project Monday, 5, May
  • Join Us for the Family History Jamboree! Thursday, 1, May
Join the Newsletter
This is required.

ChurchofJesusChristinLasVegas.org is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Contact Us

[email protected]

News

  • Come Celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the First Settlers at the Old Mormon Fort Thursday, 5, Jun
  • Interfaith Service Project Monday, 5, May
ChurchOfJesusChristInLasVegas.org is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
-
Copyright ©2025 ChurchOfJesusChristInLasVegas.org. All Rights Reserved.
en_USEnglish
es_MXEspañol de México it_ITItaliano zh_CN简体中文 zh_TW繁體中文 ja日本語 ko_KR한국어 tlTagalog en_USEnglish
SearchPostsLogin
Thursday, 5, Jun
Come Celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the First Settlers at the Old Mormon Fort
Monday, 5, May
Interfaith Service Project
Thursday, 1, May
Join Us for the Family History Jamboree!
Sunday, 13, Apr
Join us in Remembering His Greater Love as we begin Holy Week
Thursday, 6, Feb
JUSTSERVE HONORED BY CITY OF LAS VEGAS AND COUNCILWOMAN NANCY E. BRUNE
Saturday, 1, Feb
Upcoming Young Single Adult Devotional With Elder Alexander Dushku

Welcome back,