Law professor Steven T. Collis on peacemaking and the need for religious freedom worldwide

<p dir="ltr">Since the early days of the Restoration, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have championed the fundamental human right to <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/religious-freedom/">religious freedom</a>. In 2023, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2018/1/25/23213455/getting-to-know-president-dallin-h-oaks-of-the-first-presidency/">President Dallin H. Oaks</a>, first counselor in the First Presidency, asked, &ldquo;<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2023/7/2/23780621/president-oaks-religious-liberty-should-benefit-society-as-a-whole/">Where would the absence of religious freedom lead society?</a>&rdquo; To consider this important question, author, researcher and <a href="https://law.utexas.edu/faculty/steven-t-collis/">professor on religious law</a> <a href="https://www.steventcollis.com/bio">Steven T. Collis</a> joins <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/mary-richards/">Church News reporter Mary Richards</a> on this episode of the Church News podcast. They discuss the importance of <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2021/12/14/23218278/president-oaks-rome-italy-religious-freedom/">understanding religious freedom</a>, including Collis&rsquo; conversion story; how to advocate for it by being <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/general-conference/2023/4/2/23666426/president-nelson-april-2023-general-conference-peacemakers-needed/">peacemakers</a>; and the need to promote this freedom worldwide.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-f193b1fc-7fff-0f28-d531-12c236ff5c56"><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">T</a></strong><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">he Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Hosts <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/ryan-jensen/">Jon Ryan Jensen</a>, editor of the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">Church News</a>, and <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/authors/mary-richards/">Church News reporter Mary Richards</a> share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, &ldquo;What do I know now?&rdquo; because of the experience. Produced by <a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/">KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>