On January 23, 2026, the Liberian legal community celebrated a milestone event as the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS) officially inducted the inaugural leadership of its Liberia Chapter under the theme “Faith, Integrity, and Service: Advancing Ethical Leadership in the Legal Profession.”
Marked by both spiritual depth and professional resolve, the induction ceremony in Monrovia, Liberia, brought together prominent legal practitioners and local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gathering celebrated the opening of a new chapter for religious liberty and ethical legal practice in Liberia and across West Africa.
Sylvester Rennie D. Rennie. Induction Officer and Former National President of the Liberia National Bar Association, administers the oath on 23 January, 2026.
Sylvester Rennie D. Rennie, Induction Officer and Former National President of the Liberia National Bar Association, administers the oath on Friday, January 23, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The J. Reuben Clark Law Society is an international organization comprising more than 14,000 volunteer lawyers and law students worldwide. Its core mission includes:
- Defending religious freedom by promoting and protecting moral and religious values within the law;
- Encouraging pro bono service to provide legal and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations; and
- Upholding the rule of law by strengthening legal systems through professional excellence and fairness, among other objectives.
Serving as keynote speaker for the induction ceremony, Jeffrey L. Adams, Area Legal Counsel for the Africa West Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained that the JRCLS is an organization that champions freedom of religion for all, protects the right of individuals to live according to their values, and promotes faith, unity, integrity and religious tolerance. He then delivered a doctrinally rich address centered on the divine intersection between secular law and God’s will, noting that this framework enables collaboration among attorneys while safeguarding their moral convictions in the public square.
Referencing Doctrine and Covenants 44:4, Adams highlighted the Lord’s instruction that His people should “organize [themselves] according to the laws of man,” emphasizing that this directive itself constitutes “the law of God.” He explained that obedience to this principle carries four promised blessings:
- Power over adversaries;
- Preservation in all things;
- Strength to keep God’s laws; and
- Divine deliverance and protection.
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- JRCLS-members-and-guests-attend-the-induction-ceremony-on-23-January,-2026.
- Left-to-right-President-Gibson-K.-Deckor-of-the-Paynesville-Stake,-President-Peterson-Swen-of-the-Caldwell-Stake,-and-Counsellor-Rennie-attend-the-induction-ceremony-on-26-January,-2026.
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Brother Adams declared, “I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is behind laws,” and cited the Twelfth Article of Faith, which states, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” He further referenced the teachings of President Dallin H. Oaks, who has long emphasized the role of religious conviction in strengthening the law and preserving religious freedom, particularly through his teachings on constitutional principles and latitude.
Attorney D. Blamo Kofa, Chair of the Liberia Chapter, traced the chapter’s origins to a 2013 mandate issued during the launch of the Africa West Chapter in Ikeja, Nigeria. He recounted how sustained collaboration among Liberian colleagues — alongside his studies toward an LLM at BYU Law School — ultimately led to the chapter’s formal establishment. One year later, the Liberia Chapter received a Gold Recognition Award at the JRCLS Global Leadership Conference in Provo, Utah.
Kofa described JRCLS as a “covenant community” founded on service, religious principles, and public trust rather than personal gain. He outlined three pillars of professional integrity — truthfulness, independence, and service — and challenged lawyers to integrate faith into their legal practice. International Chair Angel Zimmerman also congratulated the new leadership, urging them to uphold religious freedom and moral values as central to the Society’s mission.
Concluding remarks were delivered by President Peterson Swen of the Caldwell Liberia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Drawing from Matthew 22:21, he noted that Christ’s command to “render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” demonstrates the Savior’s respect for law and underscores the obligation of people of faith to follow that example. He expressed optimism that the Liberia Chapter would promote fairness by balancing justice and mercy in service to the Liberian people.
The following leaders were inducted for the Liberia Chapter of JRCLS:
- D. Blamo Kofa, Chair
- Gabriel G. Wleh, Chair-Elect
- James B. Kaba Sr., Secretary-General
- Jallah G. Zumo, Treasurer
- Jackson Ngafua Morlu, Chair for Communications
- Tarkuo Weah, Chair for Membership
- Moses S. Soribah, Student Chapter Liaison, among others
The ceremony concluded with a call for the newly inducted leaders to measure success not by wealth or applause, but by the conscience of their contributions to Liberian society. The Liberia Chapter of JRCLS now stands as a testament to that vision, aspiring to produce legal professionals who serve as the “conscience of the nation.”