February 24th, 2025, 4:50pm
The 1970s and 40s of the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ took part in a religious freedom conference with government officials, scholars and representatives of faith in Auckland, New Zealand, from February 21-23.
The theme of the conference was “freely, to do so, and to become – strengthening the opportunity to believe in individuals who choose within the framework of the law.” Information about the meeting was first reported at Churchofjesuschrist.org.
While thanking those who presented at the conference, Elder Taniera B. Wacolo, president of the Church’s first counselor, said, “The words of Joshua in the Old Testament resonate with us today.” “He’s doing this.” Choose this day in which you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
He continued. “Faith and belief are deeply personal issues. Our speakers are in a pluralistic society, respecting human dignity and kindness to help us understand this challenge more clearly. Masu.”
Elder Wacolo attended the conference, but Elder Jeremy R. Jaggie of the Severiz ’70s served as the second counselor for the Pacific President, Elder Stephen R. Bangerter and Elder K. Brett Nutless.
This conference was conducted by BYU Law School’s Centre for International Law and Religious Studies, Waikato Tepilinga University Faculty of Law, BYU-HAWAII’s Religious Freedom and Human Dignity Initiative, J. .
Juliet Chevalier Watts, a law professor at Waikato University in Hamilton, New Zealand, gave a keynote address.
The conference marks its 25th anniversary this year, said Hannah Smith, the conference’s associate director.
“In this 25th anniversary, ICLRS will hold this important conference to bring together legal and religious experts from New Zealand, Australia and the broader Pacific region to understand how to link weapons and build bridges. enriching the way we build bridges as a peace measurer. Religious freedom,” she said.
Message from church leaders
The baby appeared to cry sparkling and cry when Elder Jagi and his wife, Sister Amy Jagi, welcomed their first child. He softened her by singing “I am a child of God” and singing a song he sang to the baby in the womb. It was a song his mother sang to him as a little boy. Hearing the familiar song and voice made the baby feel calm.
Elder Jagi encouraged the people of the conference to listen and respond to God, both individually and as a community, and to seek greater peace, love and faith.
Elder Bangerter invited conference representatives to visit Auckland New Zealand Temple, which is open for public tours before devotion on April 13th. He attended the meeting and thanked them for expressing their gratitude for their love and faith.
The representative toured Auckland Temple on the evening of Saturday, February 22nd. On Sunday, February 23rd, they visited Mosque and Marae, a sacred space used for the social or religious purposes of Polynesian culture.
Attending the meeting was like the homecoming of Elder Natress and his wife, his sister Shauna Natress, who lived in New Zealand for five years, but Elder Natress served as president of the Pacific President until 2023. . Natres thanked God to all who came to the meeting to share, learn and strengthen the gift of his son Jesus Christ and the faith and friendship.
Elder Jared Ormsby, a region from New Zealand, introduced a religious freedom pamphlet. Religious Freedom Brochure provides Japanese language information regarding religious freedom or belief law in some legal jurisdictions.
Other Messages
Over the two days, participants and presenters identified threats to religious freedom and discussed responses highlighting politeness, mutual respect and bridge construction. They also highlighted the community’s efforts focused on human dignity and equity.
Presenters from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds emphasized the importance of listening, understanding and working together to improve our community.
Brett Scharfs, a professor of law at BYU, director of the Center for International Law and Religion Studies, aims to help others live with courage and character, seek understanding and unity through dialogue, and blessing and cultivate the virtue of religious freedom. I encouraged that.
Paul Richworth, a professor of law at Auckland University and former dean, studied the Spirit of Hand’s Freedom Speech, which studied the referenced judge. It also includes not being overly certain of your righteousness and being willing to listen to the opposite perspective.
