In response to persecutions and accusations about the Church’s beliefs, Church leaders wrote a document to clarify the Church’s stance on government and religion. This lesson is intended to help students understand the importance of religious freedom and of obeying government laws where they live.
Possible Learning Activities
President Nelson’s experience with a king
To begin class, consider summarizing the following paragraph and reading President Russell M. Nelson’s statement below. Or you might show the video “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” from time code 0:00 to 3:16. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
In 1986, President Russell M. Nelson was a guest speaker at a university in Accra, Ghana. After President Nelson’s remarks, a tribal king approached him and asked questions about Jesus Christ. President Nelson shared insights from 3 Nephi that greatly impressed the king.
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President Russell M. Nelson
After experiencing the power of the Savior’s words in 3 Nephi, the king proclaimed, “If I am converted and join the Church, I will bring my whole tribe with me.” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 61)
Before sharing the following response from President Nelson, pause to ask students how they might react if they were serving as a missionary among this king’s people and heard him say this.
What do you know about Heavenly Father’s plan that could help explain President Nelson’s response?
Although the king may have had good intentions, why is it essential that people’s conversion to the Savior’s gospel be an individual choice?
If students are curious about what else President Nelson told the king, share what he taught: “Conversion is an individual matter. … Each individual receives a witness and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?,” 61).
Invite students to seek Heavenly Father’s guidance during today’s lesson about why it is important for them to have the freedom to choose to follow Jesus Christ according to their own desires. Also invite them to consider the importance of obeying the laws of the land and respecting those who have different beliefs than them. You might want to give students time to write their thoughts about one or more of these ideas before continuing.
The importance of government and religion
In the 1830s, Church members were facing persecution, in part for the false perception that they would disregard government laws in the name of religion. To help clarify the Saints’ commitment to follow the laws of the land along with exercising freedom of religion, Church leaders wrote a declaration of belief now known as Doctrine and Covenants 134.
To help students understand the content of this section, consider dividing students into pairs. Each partner could be assigned to focus on one of the following two truths:
Each partner could read the verses associated with their truth, looking for words and phrases that support or clarify that truth. Partners could then teach each other what they learned.
When students are done sharing with their partners, invite a few volunteers to answer the following questions:
What impressed you from what you read?
What questions might someone have after reading these verses?
To help students find answers to their questions and better understand the truths in this lesson, consider doing the following:
Divide students into small groups. Each group could study and discuss the first handout. Then students could be rearranged into new groups to study and discuss the second handout.
Alternatively, half of the groups could study one handout and the other half could study the other handout. Groups could then share what they learned with a group that studied a different handout.
We Believe in Obeying the Laws of the Government Where We Live
Read the following scenario.
Dalia is serving a mission in a place where the government will not allow sharing the gospel outside a church building. She feels frustrated because she knows there are people in the city who would accept the gospel of Jesus Christ if she could talk more openly about it. She is considering discreetly talking to people in the streets to teach them about the Savior.
How would you respond to this situation?
Read the following materials, thinking about how they might help Dalia understand what Heavenly Father would have her do.
To see how the Savior responded to potential conflict between government and religion, read Matthew 22:15–22 and the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency:
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President Dallin H. Oaks
While all believers revere divine law, most also acknowledge that civil law is also ordained of God. The Lord Jesus Christ directed, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). So taught, we must, to the extent possible, obey both systems of law. When there are apparent conflicts, we must seek to harmonize them. When they are truly irreconcilable, we should join with others of like mind in striving to change the civil law to accommodate the divine. In all events, we must be very measured before ever deciding—in the rarest of circumstances—to disregard one in favor of the other. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Boundary between Church and State” [address given at the Second Annual Sacramento Court/Clergy Conference, Oct. 20, 2015], newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
Answer the following questions.
What did you learn that could help Dalia understand that she should honor the laws where she is serving?
Why do you think obeying the law where you live is a principle of Jesus Christ’s gospel?
We Believe in Freedom of Religion and Conscience
Answer the following questions.
When have you discussed religion or spiritual beliefs with someone whose beliefs are different than yours?
How did they respond to your beliefs? How did you respond to theirs?
Consider the following scenario.
Liam is part of his school’s soccer team. One of the members of his team, Zain, has a personal religious ritual that he does before each game. Zain is the only person of his religion on the team. Other members of the team have noticed what Zain does and have started to give him a hard time about it. Liam knows that Zain’s religion is sometimes seen negatively by people in their community.
Study the following materials, thinking about how they might apply to Liam’s situation and to your interactions with those who believe differently than you.
If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a “Mormon,” I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights … of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.
It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul—civil and religious liberty to the whole of the human race. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 345)
What could you share with Liam that might help him respond to the situation he is in?
What did you learn about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would have you treat those who believe differently than you?
After groups have had the chance to learn from both handouts, consider giving them the opportunity to discuss what they learned or to ask questions about what they studied.
If it feels like it would be helpful to further discuss what students learned about the two truths, consider using the following questions.
How can a person stand up for his or her beliefs while also respecting others’ differing beliefs?
How can obedience to laws increase our ability to follow Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation?
What do you feel are appropriate ways to encourage religious freedom within the laws where you live?
You could conclude the lesson by inviting students to answer the following question in their study journals. A few students could share what they wrote.
What do you feel Heavenly Father would have you do with what you learned today?