Quotes from the Brethren
Russell M. Nelson–
Unfortunately, good culture alone is not strong enough to cause good culture to endure in perpetuity. Additional strength is needed from the power of theistic conviction. For this reason, a policy to separate completely church and state could become completely counterproductive. Theistic forces would be erased and atheistic forces would be allowed to flourish unopposed in the public square. The theistic and noble concept of “freedom of religion,” could be twisted and turned to become an atheistic “freedom from religion.” Such an unbalanced policy could sweep out theistic forces for societal success and leave the field wide open to atheistic ideology, secularism, suffering huge losses for all. (Speech to young adults in Boston, MA, June 10, 2010)
Rex E. Lee–
Like the speech, press, and assembly guarantees, the free exercise of religion clause deals directly with the protection of individual liberties, whereas the Establishment Clause is a structural provision regulating institutional relationships between church and state. Moreover, speech and assembly are central to most religious activity. (Quoted in: Neal A. Maxwell, Provo’s 1993 Freedom Festival Patriotic Service)
M. Russell Ballard–
What would Washington have thought if he could have foreseen our day?…I believe he would have been troubled to see a time when citizens are forbidden to pray in public meetings; when people claim that “you can’t legislate morality,” as if any law ever passed did not have at its heart some notion of right and wrong; when churches are called intruders when they speak out against public policy that is contrary to the commandments of God; when many people reject the correcting influence of churches if it infringes on daily living; when religion is accepted as a social organization but not as an integral part of national culture; when people bristle if representatives of churches speak in any forum except from the pulpit.
Indeed, some people now claim that the Founding Fathers’ worst fear in connection with religion has been realized; that we have, in fact, a state-sponsored religion in America today. This new religion, adopted by many, does not have an identifiable name, but it operates just like a church. It exists in the form of doctrines and beliefs, where morality is whatever a person wants it to be, and where freedom is derived from the ideas of man and not the laws of God. Many people adhere to this concept of morality with religious zeal and fervor, and courts and legislatures tend to support it. (M. Russell Ballard, “Religion in a Free Society,” Ensign, Oct. 1992, 64–65)
The First Presidency in 1979–
Those who oppose all references to God in our public life have set themselves the task of rooting out historical facts and ceremonial tributes and symbols so ingrained in our national consciousness that their elimination could only be interpreted as an official act of hostility toward religion. Our constitutional law forbids that. As the ruling principle of conduct in the lives of many millions of our citizens, religion should have an honorable place in the public life of our nation, and the name of Almighty God should have sacred use in its public expressions.
Quotes from the Founders
Thomas Jefferson–
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between church and State. (Founders: Jefferson, Thomas letter to a Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, Connecticut, January 1, 1802)
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)
Speeches and Other Resources
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Freedom,” Oct. 13, 2009
- James E. Faust, “A New Civil Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 1992
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Religious Values & Public Policy,” Ensign, 1992
- M. Russell Ballard, “Religion in a Free Society,” Ensign, 1992
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Religion in Public Life,” Ensign, July 1990
- The Williamsburg Charter, 1998
- Neal A. Maxwell, “Meeting the Challenges of Today,” 1978
Latest comments