BYU–Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright addressed the topic of religious freedom at the opening devotional of the Fall 2012 semester on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. The gathering included more than 1500 students, faculty, staff and others from the extended university ‘ohana.
“We live at a unique time in the history of the world,” he said. “We have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the blessings of being guided by apostles and prophets. And on this campus we also have the blessings of being a part of the Church Educational System and having a temple of the Lord nearby. How we have been blessed!”
President Wheelwright described how the Church is receiving more publicity now than ever before, but that it does not change what is happening in the world. “In spite of this “Mormon Moment” on the world stage, those we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators have recently raised the voice of warning that our religious freedom is being challenged and threatened on several fronts. And they have made it clear that if we simply take the blessing of religious freedom for granted, we will lose that blessing.”
After outlining the history of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, he described how all but six other nations in the world have adopted similar documents, and the benefit it is to the people of those nations. “There can be no doubt as to the hand of the Lord in establishing, securing and preserving the blessing of religious freedom in this land for the ‘rights and protection of all.’ …But with the growth in secularism fueled by the popular press and many others’ intent on banishing the discussion of religion and faith from the public square, even the most basic principles of religious freedom are under attack.”
“With so many others, I testify that a loving Father in Heaven has guided those who have sacrificed so much to secure the blessing of religious freedom in this land and elsewhere. Furthermore, our God knows of the growing challenges and attacks that are threatening our religious freedom. And through His prophets and apostles, He has made clear that He is counting on us to help preserve and strengthen these rights and freedoms.”
In conclusion, President Wheelwright outlined four things we should do to preserve and maintain this fundamental religious freedom:
- Join forces with neighbors and like-minded people from all faiths to work together in defending against these attacks.
- Bring religion and the principles of truth upon which our faith and testimony are based into the public discussion and not be intimidated and chased away by those who would ridicule or attack our beliefs.
- As we join the discussions taking place in the public square, we must be careful to be respectful of others and always be civil in our discourse.
- Perhaps most important, we have a duty, as well as a right, to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and to let our light shine that it might bless all of those with whom we associate.
University Devotionals are held each Tuesday at 11 AM in the Cannon Activities Center. Previous Devotionals can be viewed or read at devotionals.byuh.edu.