Topic

Interfaith Relations

Interfaith Efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A respect for the diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all the world’s faiths is one of the hallmarks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the faith's earliest days, Joseph Smith elevated the principle of religious liberty and tolerance: “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” (Articles of Faith 1:11).

In that same spirit, Church President Thomas S. Monson made a plea during general conference, a semiannual worldwide meeting, for more religious understanding: “I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours” (April 2008 General Conference address). Latter-day Saints accept all sincere believers as equals in the pursuit of faith and in the great work of serving humanity.

Emphasizing God’s love for all people, not just those of one religion, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency, the highest governing body of the Church, declared: “We honor and respect sincere souls from all religions, no matter where or when they lived, who have loved God, even without having the fullness of the gospel. We lift our voices in gratitude for their selflessness and courage. We embrace them as brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father. … He hears the prayers of the humble and sincere of every nation, tongue, and people. He grants light to those who seek and honor Him and are willing to obey His commandments” (April 2008 General Conference address).

The late Krister Stendahl, emeritus Lutheran Bishop of Stockholm and professor emeritus of Harvard Divinity School, established three rules for religious understanding: (1) When you are trying to understand another religion, you should ask the adherents of that religion and not its enemies; (2) don't compare your best to their worst; and (3) leave room for "holy envy" by finding elements in other faiths to emulate. These principles foster relationships between religions that build trust and lay the groundwork for charitable efforts.

The spiritual and physical needs of the world require goodwill and cooperation among different faiths. Each of them makes a valuable contribution to the larger community of believers. In the words of early Church apostle Orson F. Whitney, “God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.” Thus, members of the Church do not view fellow believers around the world as adversaries or competitors, but as partners in the many causes for good in the world. For example, the Church joined forces with the Catholic organization El Minuto de Dios to distribute clothing to victims of flooding and landslides in Colombia in January 2011. Furthermore, the Church worked with Islamic Relief USA to provide food and medical supplies in January 2010 to those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti.

It is important to note that interfaith cooperation does not require doctrinal compromise. Though the Church asserts its ecclesiastical independence and recognizes its doctrinal differences, this does not prevent it from partnering with other faiths in charitable projects. These efforts are based on universal values. A different interpretation of the atonement of Christ, for example, need not diminish the mandate of Christ to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a separation between charitable efforts and doctrinal tenets, while at the same time sharing mutual concern for those in need. People of good faith do not need to have the exact same beliefs in order to accomplish great things in the service of their fellow human beings.

The following are just a few examples and stories of cooperation between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint and other faiths:

Examples of Events Hosted

Evangelical and Latter-day Saint Leaders Gather in Tabernacle to Promote Faith and Religious Freedom (21 January 2014)

Church Hosts Concert of Praise in Tabernacle for National Bible Week  (25 November 2013)

Latter-day Saint Congregation Hosts “Sacred Spaces” Interfaith Event in New York (26 July 2012)

Interfaith Friends Bring Music and Energy to Historic Tabernacle (28 February 2012)

Many Faiths, One Family (21 February 2011)

Archbishop Alex J. Brunett Receives Family Values Award (30 November 2010)

Bishop Wester Praises Utah Visit of Cardinal George (26 February 2010)

Cardinal George Addresses Religious Freedom in Speech at BYU (23 February 2010)

Annual Interfaith Music Tribute Performed in Historic Salt Lake Tabernacle (22 February 2010)

Faiths Join for Musical Tribute in Salt Lake Tabernacle (9 February 2010)

Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable Holds Concert on Temple Square (2/13/2007)

Examples of Events Participated in

Latter-day Saints, Baptists Worship Together at Christmas Jubilee (16 December 2015)

Church Participates in Global Interfaith Gathering in Salt Lake City (16 October 2015)

At World Meeting of Families, Apostle Suggests Ways to Help Families Flourish (24 September 2015)

Apostle Speaks at Historic Religious Freedom Event in Brazil (29 April 2015)

Vatican Summit: Global Faith Leaders Discuss Marriage (17 November 2014)

Church Leader Attends European Union Meeting ( 11 June 2014)

Apostle Joins Faith Leaders to Honor Rabbi Sacks (2 June 2014)

 Latter-day Saint and Seventh-day Adventist Leaders Discuss Faith, Family and Religious Freedom (30 April 2014)

Bay Area Interfaith Group Honoring Christ Through Song and Service (29 April 2014)

Breaking Down the Walls: Latter-day Saints Join Interfaith Effort to Feed Hungry at Thanksgiving (27 November 2013)

Church Builds Interfaith Relationships in Baltimore (26 November 2013)

Interfaith Choir Holds Concerts for Moore, Oklahoma, Tornado Survivors (16 July 2013)

Elder Dallin H. Oaks Honored for Championing Religious Freedom  (16 May 2013)

Catholic Bishop Urges Interfaith Dialogue During Speech at Institute of Religion (19 September 2012)

Interfaith Concert Inspires Donations to Food Pantry (22 December 2011)

Apostles Travel the World in Response to Growing Church Membership (27 September 2010)

2009 Parliament of World’s Religions Gathers in Melbourne (14 December 2009)

Cathedral Celebrates 100 th Anniversary; President Monson Speaks of Service Given Jointly by Two Faiths (10 August 2009)

Church Represented at World Religions Conference in Kazakhstan (22 July 2009)

Tours of Religious Buildings Nurture Understanding (31 July 2008)

Examples of Church Teachings

Church Points to Joseph Smith’s Statements on Religious Freedom, Pluralism (8 December 2015)

Why Religious Freedom Matters to Latter-day Saints (20 February 2012)

Dr. Robert L. Millet: A View on Interfaith Respect (24 January 2012)

Elder Quentin L. Cook Delivers Speech on Morality and Religious Freedom (16 December 2011)

Partnering with Our Friends from Other Faiths (12 August 2010)

Believers in God Need to Work Together, Apostle Says (28 May 2008)

Respect for Diversity of Faiths (18 April 2008)

Examples of Humanitarian Aid and Other Service

Latter-day Saint Representatives Discuss Church Humanitarian Efforts at the United Nations (28 February 2014)

Latter-day Saint Volunteers Building Homes for Typhoon Haiyan Victims (21 February 2014)

Church Community Helps Refugees in Utah (3 January 2014)

Church Continues to Assist Typhoon Survivors (13 November 2013)

Catholic Community Services Honors Presiding Bishopric for Humanitarian Work (25 October 2013)

Latter-day Saints, Other Groups Work Together on Oklahoma Tornado Cleanup (29 May 2013)

Church Donates More Than 1 Million Pounds of Food to Top Hunger-Relief Organization (9 May 2013)

Church Representative Speaks at the U.N. (6 March 2013)

Church Responds to Over 100 Disasters in 2012 (27 February 2013)

Two Congregations of Different Faiths Forge Friendship in the Wake of Devastation (30 November 2012)

Church Humanitarian Aid Helps During Costly 2011 Disasters (7 March 2012)

Neighbors helping Neighbors (8 July 2010)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Partners with Islamic Relief USA to Send Food and Medical Supplies to Haiti (22 January 2010)

From Salt Lake to Samoa, Church Extends Humanitarian Help (6 October 2009)

Latter-day Saint, Islamic Leaders Share Relief Efforts (29 July 2009)

Quilters Sew to Help Homeless Families (21 March 2007)

Latter-day Saint Youth in Houston Help Neighbors Prepare for Emergencies (25 October 2006)

Latter-day Saints Send Aid to Middle East (27 July 2006)

Muslims and Latter-day Saints Work Together to Rush Aid to Indonesia Quake Victims (30 May 2006)

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