Mormon Beliefs: Article of Faith 11
The Mormon Church echoes the words of the founding documents of the United States, that there are inalienable rights, of which freedom of religion is one. This is all the more significant after considering Mormon history, and the incessant persecution depriving Mormons of the very rights their nation proclaimed; life, liberty, property, and their pursuit of merely being left alone to worship as they wished, so they might be happy. Yet considering that many other sects had fled to America to avoid persecution of their own, it is possible that the Mormon Church was started in the only nation that would permit its existence and expansion, despite the historical difficulties. It is with this background that the Mormon Church defends all forms of worship and advocates religious liberty.
Like any history, the history of Christianity is plagued with difficulties. Religious intolerance is one of the crimes committed in the name of the Lord. Wars, murders, trials and executions, are many of the injustices committed against peoples of other faiths. Hindsight is 20/20 when uncovering the hypocrisy of these things done for the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate doctrine of peace and tolerance. The Mormon Church is committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but does so only as an invitation to follow Christ. Compulsion and coercion are not in line with Mormon Church policy or principles. Indeed, central to Mormon doctrine is the idea of personal agency which permits all mankind to choose their own path in life. Mormonism teaches that this agency is one of the greatest gifts God has given man and one which He will not violate. The trial of moral agency is the purpose of this life. God has put us all here to test whether we will obey the commandments of the Lord. The degree to which the Mormon Church believes in converting others to its faith is evident in its missionary work. The Church sends 50,000 Mormon missionaries throughout the world to spread the gospel. Each one goes through a period of training to learn the conversion process through invitation and encouragement. In every nation where missionaries are sent, the permission of that government has been secured. The desire to convert all to the faith is one tenet of the Mormon Church, but every effort is made to ensure this is done without infringing on the rights of others.
The Mormon Church is well known for its active proselyting efforts, and the reputation irritates and angers some people. However, the Church is also dedicated to peaceful and friendly association with those of all beliefs in accordance with the Lord’s command to “love thy neighbour.” Whether religious or unreligious, the Mormon Church acknowledges the inalienable rights of every person to pursue happiness according to their own desires. The Church has been working to join in the association of other Christian churches, in both formal organizations and informal relations. It has met with some resistance, but through patience and goodwill, there has been progress. However, there is a balance necessary between tolerance and advocacy. In the religious sphere, the Mormon Church defends the rights of other to believe (or not) how they wish, but is unwavering in its claim that it is the only church authorized by Jesus Christ to administer the gospel in these last days. This applies to secular issues as well. Many are preaching tolerance while hypocritically being intolerant of widely held religious beliefs. Abortion and homosexuality are two of the most controversial issues on which the balance between tolerance and advocacy must be found.
The Mormon Church has come through hard times to be able to enjoy the religious freedom it now enjoys, and defends the rights of others’ beliefs as vigorously as its own. The right to worship (or not) according to one’s own desires is seen as an inalienable right of mankind. However, this does not become so permissive that anything goes. In relation to both conflicting religious doctrines and secular social issues, the Mormon Church strives to balance tolerance with others’ beliefs while standing firm in asserting its own.