The Mormon Church's Stance on Conversion and Religious Freedom

The Mormon Church, also known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has long been recognized for its approach to missionary work and religious conversion. This essay delves into the Church's stance on religious freedom and conversion, exploring its beliefs and practices within a broader context of human rights and religious rights.

Introduction to Mormon Missionary Work

Members of the Mormon Church, often referred to as Latter-day Saints or Mormons, spend significant time and resources in missionary work. The primary goal of these missionaries is to share the teachings of the Church, including the Book of Mormon and the doctrines of Jesus Christ. However, the Mormon Church’s stance on conversion differs significantly from other religions that actively pursue the conversion of non-believers.

The Mormon Church's Position on Conversion

According to Mormon beliefs, conversion is a process that ultimately rests in the personal choice of an individual. The Church does not employ coercive methods to convert people; instead, it relies on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This spirit is seen as a supernatural power that helps individuals discern truth and make informed decisions. As one authoritative stance declares, 'We do not convert people; the Holy Spirit does.'

The process of conversion in the Mormon Church involves understanding and accepting the doctrines, principles, and teachings of the Church. This is typically achieved through study, reflection, prayer, and often, the influence of missionaries and members of the Church.

Respect for Individual Choice

The Mormon Church strongly advocates for the right of every individual to choose their religious path. It promotes the idea that people should have the freedom to explore different faiths and make independent decisions regarding their spiritual beliefs. This viewpoint is deeply rooted in the foundational belief that all individuals are entitled to the 'natural right to choose his own path to worship according to the dictates of his own conscience.'

Protection of Human Rights

The Church considers attempts to prevent people from changing religions as a form of human rights violation. Such efforts often use the guise of cultural and political stability to restrict religious freedom. This practice is viewed as a dangerous infringement on personal liberties.

According to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an apostle in the Church, these actions stem from a misinterpretation of the relationship between religion and culture. He asserts, 'Religion and culture are not the same thing. Certain religious beliefs are not as dangerous as certain political ideologies, but it’s precisely why the free exercise of one’s beliefs is so important.'

The Church emphasizes that individuals should not be forced to disobey their own moral and spiritual integrity. The use of authority to prevent someone from changing their religious beliefs is considered a form of 'unrighteous dominion.' Elder Holland further states, 'You cannot in good conscience force someone to disobey their own integrity. You cannot say "but you were born _______ and it would dishonor your father to change" without destroying them to their core in ways no conception of God approves of.'

Provision of Information and Guidance

The Mormon Church’s approach to missionary work and conversion emphasizes providing information and guidance without undermining individual agency. The Church believes that its members should share their beliefs, but they should never attempt to remove someone’s freedom to choose. As Elder Holland notes, 'all we can do is provide information and guidance as they make those choices but never give into temptation to take their agency away.'

To avoid the pitfalls of unrighteous dominion, the Church relies on principled approaches such as persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love. These practices are intended to foster a supportive and understanding environment where individuals can freely explore their spiritual paths.

Historical Lessons and Warnings

From a historical perspective, the Church has learned that many people misuse their authority for personal gain. As a result, the Church advises its members to approach others with caution and respect for their individual dignity. This reflection leads to a core message: 'No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood only by persuasion by long-suffering by gentleness and meekness and by love unfeigned.'

Conclusion

The Mormon Church’s stance on conversion and religious freedom is rooted in a deep respect for individual choice and the free exercise of one’s beliefs. It advocates strongly for the protection of human rights and stands against any effort to prevent people from following their integrity, as they see it. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland emphasized, 'Those who do not know God yet strive to stop others from finding him whether friends, family, religions, or armies will be found trying to hold closed the door that we are commanded to knock on that it be opened unto us.' This message underscores the Church's commitment to religious freedom and the ultimate goal of empowering individuals to choose their spiritual path freely.