11 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.
(Articles of Faith 1:11)
Brigham Young.
if you are thirsty, hungry, or destitute, I will assist you. How many have I helped away to California, and given them bread and meat, notwithstanding they wanted to go to the devil; this made no difference to me; I have helped them, and told them to go, if they wished to. There is no tyranny here, but perfect liberty, which is a boon held sacred to all men. They have a right to come and go as they please.
I do not ask you to be a “Mormon.” Can you point out one person who has entreated any of the emigrants to become “Mormons,” since they came into our midst? Since their arrival here, we have been kind and hospitable to them, and have not cared whether they have been “Mormons” or Methodists. They can come and hear preaching, if they think proper; but we shall never put them to any trouble because they are not “Mormons.”
You may say you do not believe in God. Well, it is your privilege to believe as you like; you can believe in the Methodists’ God, that has neither body, parts, nor passions (which amounts to nothing at all), if you please.
But one may say, “I belong to the holy Catholic Church.” You have a right to belong to what Church you please.
Another may say he believes in and worships a white dog, for he has lived with the nations who have a tradition teaching them to do so. It is all right; you are as welcome to worship a white dog as the God I do, if it is your wish.
I am perfectly willing you should serve the kind of a god you choose, or no god at all; and that you should enjoy all that is for you to enjoy.
(1850s1852, BY Weaknesses ¶12–14 • JD 1:362–JD 1:363)
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