According to Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) religious groups should unite to protect the religious freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

In a speech today at Chapman University law school Elder Oaks remembered his audience that religious freedom is one of the Constitution’s supremely important founding principles.

“We must never see the day when the public square is not open to religious ideas and religious persons,” Elder Oaks said. “The religious community must united to be sure we are not coerced or deterred into silence by the kinds of intimidation or threatening rhetoric that are being experienced (Deseret News about Dallin Oaks’s speech and Newsroom about Dallin Oaks’s speech)

Dallin Oaks, as an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,  in his speech addressed a topic of great important for Mormons, who believe that no government can exist in peace, except laws are framed in such a way that will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life. Mormons were persecuted in the early times of their history by people who did not respect these principles.

Mormons believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but Mormons do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion. Civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul  (see Doctrine and Covenants 134:2, 4)

In the Articles of Faith, Joseph Smith wrote:

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may (Articles of Faith 1:11)

The Constitution of the United States was created to defend principles of freedom, but those principles need to be protected or may be lost.