In the historic halls of Prague Castle—the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic—and Czernin Palace—the seat of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs—leaders of governments, civil society, and faith traditions gathered for the High-Level International Conference of the Article 18 Alliance (International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance). Among the participants were representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining delegates from all corners of the world to affirm the universal right to freedom of religion or belief.
President Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, officially opened the event with a keynote address, emphasizing freedom of conscience and belief:
“Wherever the human spirit is controlled by power, freedom dies.”
He described how authentic faith becomes a reservoir of courage and dignity, especially “in times of crises,” and reminded participants that “True religion is something that uplifts people—all people, not just some of them.” Most of all, he urged vigilance:
“True freedom of religion means freedom from control. Religious freedom is never granted once and for all. It must therefore be protected, defended, and lived every day. Let us never take it for granted. Let us have the courage to stand up for it—for ourselves and for those who cannot.”
Church Delegates and Core Convictions
Representing the Church were Elder James W. McConkie, member of the Europe Central Area Presidency, and Michal Hanzal, Area Public Relations Manager. Their participation reflected a principle deeply rooted in Latter-day Saint belief—a principle that echoes the very purpose of this global gathering. The Church’s Eleventh Article of Faith declares:
“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.”
These same ideals are championed by the Article 18 Alliance. Guided by this conviction, the Church joined leaders from around the world to affirm that every individual should be able to worship freely, without fear or discrimination.
Elder James W. McConkie noted the significance of the gathering: “Throughout the conference, I reflected on the Lord’s reminder in Doctrine and Covenants 134:4 that government should ‘restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul,’ and how gratifying it was to be gathered in the heart of Europe with academic, government, and faith leaders committed to these divine principles of truth and agency.”
Conference Themes and Global Voices
Throughout plenary sessions and side events, themes of dignity, solidarity, and resilience ran like a thread. Delegates from every continent discussed peacebuilding and social cohesion, and the acute pressures faced by faith communities in wartime and other fragile contexts. Speakers included UN Special Rapporteur Nazila Ghanea, Ambassador Samuel Brownback (USA), and others from across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. A moving tribute honored His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his lifetime commitment to nonviolence and human dignity.
The Article 18 Alliance
The Article 18 Alliance, which organized the conference, is a network of 38 member countries and dozens of experts united by the principles of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its mission is to protect religious minorities, combat discrimination, and promote respect for freedom of religion or belief.
The Alliance’s Council of Experts—including Professor Brett Scharffs of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University—brought together leading voices from around the world to advise and support its work.
Honoring Bridge Builders
At the opening-night dinner in the National Museum at Prague’s historic Wenceslas Square, awards were presented to individuals and organizations who have built bridges across faiths and advanced religious freedom.
Among the honorees was Professor Scharffs, recognized for his long-standing commitment to defending religious freedom. This moment highlighted a tradition of scholarship and service the Church encourages and sustains—signaling that for Latter-day Saints, promoting religious freedom is not occasional advocacy; it is an ongoing vocation.
Receiving the award, Professor Scharffs reflected: “Resilience comes from working together—especially in times of darkness. When we join in commitment and cooperation, we generate hope and strength for those who suffer persecution.”
“We Can Disarm Hatred”
Ambassador at Large Robert Řehák, Chair of the Article 18 Alliance, offered a practical blueprint for working across differences:
“When we create genuine friendship and efficient cooperation, we can disarm hatred, we can overcome polarization and division. Together, we can transform the power of the powerless into a collective force for freedom of religion, mutual understanding, and peace.”
That spirit—friendship that becomes cooperation—describes the Church’s approach worldwide. Latter-day Saints routinely partner with other faith communities and civic organizations to relieve suffering, welcome the displaced, and strengthen families. In Prague, these partnerships were not just celebrated; they were renewed.
Looking Ahead
The conference concluded with a declaration emphasizing that in times of global uncertainty, the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief are essential to human dignity and resilience. Building on this momentum, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue to deepen its engagement in interfaith dialogue and religious freedom initiatives across Europe.
President Pavel’s reminder points to a durable truth: when men and women are free to seek God and serve their neighbors according to the dictates of their conscience, they become—together—agents of hope. That is the kind of freedom this conference called participants to defend—not once, but every day.
In Prague, the story of faith and freedom was written anew. Latter-day Saints contribute to this global dialogue, affirming that religious freedom is not only a right to be claimed, but a gift to be shared.