Elder D. Todd Christofferson calls for religious voices to be heard in America
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Heimburger, of Kingwood, Texas, salutes the colors presented by a Brigham Young University Air Force ROTC honor guard during the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at BYU's Marriott Center in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Harriman High School student Quaid Green, this year's winner of the Youth Speech Contest, speaks at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meets with audience members at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meets with audience members at the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
The 23rd Army Band of the Utah National Guard performs prior to the beginning of the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Marriott Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Sunday, June 26, 2016. Ryan Olson, Daily Herald
Religious freedom is being threatened in the United States, according to Elder D. Todd Christofferson.
Christofferson, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said everyone’s ideas — including religious ones — have a right to be heard in the nation’s “marketplace of ideas.” The marketplace of ideas is often invoked in discussions of free speech and the First Amendment.
“Religious ideas are at least as deserving to be heard as others,” Christofferson said at Sunday’s Freedom Festival Patriotic Service at Brigham Young University’s Marriott Center.
During his keynote speech, he referred to religion’s role in the founding of the United States, as groups established colonies to express themselves. The right to freely exercise religion and a prohibition against establishing an official religion are enshrined in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.
“It is woven into the very soul of America,” Christofferson said.
Today, religious freedom is under attack as some leaders question the role of religion in politics and public discourse in general. Christofferson said some try to suppress viewpoints and resort to calling people with religious perspectives bigots and haters.
Referring back to the First Amendment, he said the freedoms of speech, press and assembly apply to all, including people of faith.
“Religious speech cannot be singled out for government suppression,” Christofferson said.
He said faith-based perspectives on societal stresses and turmoil experienced by families are invaluable because religious groups minister to those in need.
“Their voices are essential and so are yours,” Christofferson said.
It’s important to put religious perspectives alongside others for consideration so that political and social debates will have values. At the same time, he called for people to respect others’ opinions as it is part of what allows people of faith to speak out.
Christofferson ended his remarks by urging people to stand for religious freedom and teach their families to cherish America’s heritage of freedoms. He also called for people to get involved with local institutions, such as business associations, or contacting elected officials.
If others know and respect people with faith-based opinions, they will more likely work for a solution that respects multiple beliefs.
Christofferson’s presentation drew a standing ovation from the thousands gathered in the sports arena.
One of those that rose to his feet was Elder Richard Norby, who was using a wheelchair and was wearing a protective casing on his left foot but stood up anyway.
Afterward, Norby said standing was more of a balancing issue as he can’t put weight onto his foot. Norby was among four LDS missionaries injured during the March 22 bombings in Belgium that killed 32. He said he stood to honor those who served in the Armed Forces, including his father, uncle and brother.
Norby said he was touched by Christofferson’s speech, as there is a lot going on to destroy religious freedom.
“It was good to hear an apostle talk about the importance of religious freedom,” he said.
Regarding the bombings, Norby said they were lucky to be alive. After spending time to recover from his injuries, he said he couldn’t feel better.
“Everyday is a sunshine day,” Norby said.
One of the attendees was John Heimburger, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force and a member of the LDS stake in Kingwood, Texas. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and saluted the BYU Air Force ROTC honor guard presenting the colors at the beginning of the event.
Heimburger said the patriotic spirit was certainly there and he praised Christofferson’s words.
“I got a lot of positive inferences from it to stand up right now,” Heimburger said.
The audience also included Rebecca Allen of West Jordan and Bailey Bradford of Sacramento, California. They both welcomed Christofferson’s words and advice.
“I feel like it was a much needed message for the world today,” Bradford said.
She also appreciated the patriotic nature of the event.
“I just like feeling the spirit of patriotism and the love of country,” Bradford said.
“Even living in Utah, I feel there’s not much of this,” Allen said.