Religious Liberty Rooted in History | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 5, 2026 · 1m

In 1839, imprisoned Latter-day Saint leaders penned a powerful plea for religious freedom, insisting that all people—regardless of faith or none—deserve the right to worship as they choose. Expelled from Missouri, losing millions and facing violence, they turned to Congress, arguing that the Constitution guarantees religious liberty for everyone. Even in their own city of Nauvoo, they enacted laws ensuring equal rights for all faiths—including Muslims—and taught that religious bigotry causes suffering and that true salvation comes from individual choice. Today, the Church’s current leader…