In 1842 Joseph Smith published a sketch of “Church History” that included two core ideals: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience” and “We believe . . . in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.” These statements occasionally stand in ten­sion with one another as Church members seek to ensure free exercise of religion while upholding the law. The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints amply illustrates the challenge its members have faced to freely exercise their deeply held religious convictions when those convictions were con­demned by law. This volume offers historical and global perspectives on how the Latter-day Saints’ understanding of religious freedom has been forged through the crucible of their experience.

ISBN 978-1-9503-0443-1

Published in 2023