Introduction

On July 5, 2026, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints will call on members to observe a fast that thanks God for religious liberty and asks for its strengthening worldwide. The fast coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary, a moment the church uses to reflect on its historic relationship with the nation’s founding ideals.

Historical Roots

Founder Joseph Smith taught that “civil and religious liberty … were diffused into my soul by my grandfathers,” linking the church’s mission to the American Revolution. Early members endured violent persecution in Missouri and Illinois, and after the 1844 killing of Smith, Brigham Young led a migration to the Utah Territory, then part of Mexico. The Mormon Battalion’s service in the Mexican‑American War under a flag with thirteen stars was a symbolic protest: the saints sought to represent the original 1776 revolution, not the later United States that had expelled them.

After the war, the U.S. annexed Utah and allowed the church a period of self‑governance, which it called a “Kingdom of God.” Conflict soon emerged over polygamy and theocratic governance. The Supreme Court’s 1879 decision against a polygamous marriage and subsequent anti‑polygamy legislation forced the church to publicly abandon the practice in 1890.

Modern Shifts

Throughout the twentieth century the church “Americanized,” embracing capitalism and participating in the two‑party system. Religious‑freedom language shifted from protecting minorities to defending the church’s own theological positions. During the Cold War, leaders framed religious liberty as a bulwark against “godless” communism. In recent decades the focus has moved toward opposing legislation that the church views as threatening its doctrines, especially regarding LGBTQ+ rights. After the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the church’s public policy emphasized compromise—seeking to protect religious‑liberty claims while navigating anti‑discrimination laws.

Today, more than half of the church’s members live outside the United States, prompting a broader, more universal articulation of religious freedom. The upcoming July fast will highlight the Constitution’s role in safeguarding liberty while also calling for expanded freedom around the globe, signaling an evolving, international perspective.

Future Outlook

The church’s evolving definition shows a transition from a minority seeking protection to a major religious voice shaping public discourse on liberty. By linking its faith to foundational American documents and extending that narrative worldwide, the church continues to influence how religious freedom is understood in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.