In addition to the quotes below, please see the following topics under Religion:
Quotes from the Brethren
Official Church Statement on religious freedom–
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Joseph Smith–
But meddle not with any man for his religion: all governments ought to permit every man to enjoy his religion unmolested. No man is authorized to take away life in consequence of difference of religion, which all laws and governments ought to tolerate and protect, right or wrong. Every man has a natural, and, in our country, a constitutional right to be a false prophet, as well as a true prophet. (King Follett Sermon, April 7, 1844)
Quotes from the Founders
Benjamin Franklin–
That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours, that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the common People. (Franklin, Benjamin On that Odd Letter of the Drum, April, 1730)
Thomas Paine–
The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety. (Paine, Thomas Common Sense, 1776)
State of Virginia–
[R]eligion, or the duty which we owe to our creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and this is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other. (Virginia Bill of Rights, Article 16 June 12, 1776)
Thomas Jefferson–
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. (Jefferson, Thomas Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17 1782)
James Madison–
The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed. (Madison, James proposed amendment to the Constitution, given in a speech in the House of Representatives, 1789)
George Washington–
We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart. In this enlightened Age and in this Land of equal liberty it is our boast, that a man’s religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States. (Washington, George letter to the Members of the New Church in Baltimore January 27, 1793)
Speeches and Other Resources
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Freedom,” Oct. 13, 2009
- James E. Faust, “A New Civil Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 1992
- M. Russell Ballard, “Religion in a Free Society,” Ensign, 1992
- “President Nixon on the Latter-day Saints,” Ensign, Jan. 1971
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