Because Church leaders are frequently asked for their position on matters of religious freedom and nondiscrimination, the Church asserts the following principles based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, and on fairness for all, including people of faith, said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a press conference in the Church’s Conference Center on Jan. 27:
1. We claim for everyone the God-given and Constitutional right to live their faith according to the dictates of their own conscience, without harming the health or safety of others.
2. We acknowledge that the same freedom of conscience must apply to men and women everywhere to follow the religious faith of their choice, or none at all if they so choose.
3. We believe laws ought to be framed to achieve a balance in protecting the freedoms of all people while respecting those with differing values.
4. We reject persecution and retaliation of any kind, including persecution based on race, ethnicity, religious belief, economic circumstances, or sexual orientation.
