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Show LDS Church emphasizes the importance of prayer in society The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued the j following statement to its members in the United States: The church has always emphasized em-phasized the importance of prayer, including prayer offered in any public pub-lic setting in which they are legal. The Supreme Court of the United i States has clearly forbidden any audible prayers in public school classrooms. We encourage all to observe that ruling. The constitutionality of prayers in public school graduations and other high school events is still before the courts in a variety of cases of differing circumstances. This is a national issue. We welcome the opportunity for duly constituted authorities to examine the educational practices and religious traditions of the nation and to clarify the law on this important subject. Where a prayer is legally per-missibleand per-missibleand the Supreme Court has not outlawed prayers at legislative assemblies or other public pub-lic meetings -we believe no one should be required to modify the content of the prayer he or she chooses to offer regardless of religious affiliation. Prayer is too sacred for its content to be the subject sub-ject of a lawsuit. In discussion of these issues, we need goodwill and considerate behavior on the part of all. As the ruling principle of conduct in the lives of many millions of our citizens, religion should have an honorable place in the public life of our nation, and the name of Almighty God should have sacred use in its public expression. |
