A new 35-page pamphlet called “Muslims and Latter-day Saints: Beliefs, Values, and Lifestyles,” is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org in eight languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, French, German, Spanish, Turkish and Russian*. The pamphlet can also be found in these languages on the Gospel Library app by going to “Books and Lessons,” then opening “Interfaith Relations.”
DOWNLOADThe resource was first mentioned by Elders David A. Bednar and Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at a conference on Islam at Brigham Young University in October 2021. The pamphlet introduces Muslims (followers of Islam) and Latter-day Saints (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to each other. The booklet is the fruit of years of work, including collaboration with Muslim imams.
“As we undertook this effort with Muslim colleagues, we noticed how much there is in common between the two faiths,” Elder Bednar said in the 30-minute video that accompanies the pamphlet. “For example: Both Latter-day Saints and Muslims have sincerely held beliefs like faith in God, prophets, scriptures and holy places. We share common values like the importance of family, chastity and helping those in need. The lifestyles of followers of both faiths include practices such as prayer, fasting and protecting our physical health. The common beliefs, values and practices in both faiths extend beyond any political, ethnic or cultural boundaries.”
While acknowledging differences between the two religions, sections in the pamphlet illustrate some of the shared beliefs. For example:
- God is omniscient and omnipotent. Faith should be expressed in thought, word, and action.
- Prophets are vital in providing guidance from God.
- Jesus Christ plays an important, though different, role for both groups.
- Revelation from God given through messengers as scripture is the foundation for learning God’s will, keeping commitments, and participating in faithful worship.
- Human beings must communicate with God through daily prayer.
- God delights in purity and chastity.
- Women are essential in society and in the home.
- Family is the fundamental unit of society and an essential source of joy.
In the video, Elder Bednar repudiates disparaging remarks and generalized statements some Latter-day Saints have made about followers of Islam.
“We feel badly and misrepresented when a news report notes that someone who committed a grievous crime was a Latter-day Saint. Or when our Church is confused with offshoot groups whose conduct is contrary to ours,” Elder Bednar said. “In a similar way, to suggest that all Muslims are tied to grievous crimes here in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world is just as inaccurate and offensive to Muslims. Muslims disavow any such actions, just as Latter-day Saints do. Every major religion has extremists who misinterpret the teachings of their own religion or who seek to do wrong in the name of religion.”
Also in the video, the Apostles emphasize the Church’s efforts with Muslims to defend religious freedom for everyone.
“As we meet with Muslim leaders across the world, we talk about defending religious freedom,” Elder Gong said. “People of faith need to stand together for tolerance and dignity of people of all religious beliefs.”
Elder Bednar said the Church feels “very strongly about religious freedom not just for ourselves, but for all. Like some Muslims in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world, members of our Church have felt the effects of persecution and profiling and we join with good people everywhere in condemning such actions.”
*The pamphlet will be available in German and in Russian at a later time.