BYUtv Features Church News “Voices for Faith” Documentary Series on Religious Freedom

BYUtv is featuring three episodes in its Living Record: A Church News Documentary Series called “Voices for Faith,” which shares several stories highlighting the importance and value of religious freedom that are also summarized in the following Church News articles:

• Part 1 examines threats of defending religious freedom through personal stories and discussion with scholars.
• Part 2 explores approaches to religious freedom through personal stories and discussion with scholars.
• Part 3 highlights the power of working together toward religious freedom through faith stories.

‘Voices for Faith’ Part 1: In Defense of Religious Freedom

On June 14, 1989, the government of Ghana banned all activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the country.

Foreign missionaries were sent home, meetinghouses were locked, and Latter-day Saints were prohibited from assembling for worship. For the next year and a half, members were permitted to hold meetings only in their homes.

For the Saints in Ghana, this period became known as “The Freeze.”

Reflecting on the experience, Emmanuel A. Kissi, who served as acting president of the Ghana Accra Mission from 1989 to 1991, said, “Why shouldn’t we be free to serve our God?”

Learn more in the Church News ‘Voices for Faith’ Part 1: In defense of religious freedom

Watch “Voices for Faith: In Defense of Religious Freedom” on BYUtv.

‘Voices for Faith’ Part 2: Finding Ways to Preserve Religious Freedom

In June 2023, Kori Porter was one of the featured speakers at the 10th Religious Freedom Annual Review at the BYU Conference Center in Provo, Utah.

The founder and CEO of Peacemakers Coalition and a former campus minister for 13 years, Porter contrasted her own trials and personal faith journey in a country with religious freedom to those of a young African woman who does not.

“Religious freedom is not just something that we talk about,” she said on that occasion. “It’s not just academic, it’s not just political entrapment, but it is a right, a fundamental right, that all humans should be able to hold on to.”

Porter’s story is one of several that highlight various approaches to preserving religious freedom.

Learn more in the Church News ‘Voices for Faith’ Part 2: Finding ways to preserve religious freedom

Watch “Voices for Faith: An Approach of Religious Freedom” on BYUtv.

‘Voices for Faith’ Part 3: Linking Arms to Affect Religious Freedom ‘in a Serious Way’

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In recent years, many leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have actively raised awareness around and advocated for religious freedom, striving to enhance understanding and unity to preserve this fundamental right.

One senior Church leader who has been assigned to help work on issues surrounding religious freedom is Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Cook was a featured speaker at an event held at New York City’s historic Riverside Church.

On that occasion, Elder Cook asked a diverse group of New York and New Jersey religious, government and opinion leaders to protect faith.

“My plea this evening is that all religions work together to defend faith and religious freedom in a manner that protects people of diverse faith as well as those of no faith,” he said. “Catholics, evangelicals, other Christians, Jews, Muslims, Latter-day Saints and other faiths must be part of a coalition of faiths that succor, act as a sanctuary and promulgate religious freedom across the world.”

Learn more in the Church News ‘Voices for Faith’ Part 3: Linking arms to affect religious freedom ‘in a serious way’

Watch “Voices for Faith: Joined in Religious Freedom” on BYUtv.