Local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the greater Chattanooga area announced that Vice President Mike Pence visited Utah and met with top Church officials on Thursday.
“We are pleased to honor the request of the United State Vice President Michael R. Pence to meet with Church leaders during his time in Salt Lake City,” the Church said. Vice President Pence visited Utah as a part of a Western tour of the United States.
In Utah, the VP had the opportunity to meet with Elder M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Seventy. They met briefly to discuss religious freedom in the US and abroad – and to express appreciation for the vice president’s leadership.
Church officials spoke about the Church’s worldwide missionary program and emphasized that everyone should be able to witness and testify to what they believe, “and not be persecuted or threatened because of their position on Jesus Christ.” Vice President Pence referenced “faith, family and freedom.”
This is the first time Vice President Pence has visited Utah in his capacity as vice president. He visited Utah once prior to the general election in 2016. President Trump visited in December 2017. Photos of the VP’s visit to Utah may be viewed at https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-leaders-us-vice-president-mike-pence-august-2019
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a position of strict neutrality in party politics and encourages laws, according to the Church, “that preserve the rights of families and individuals to worship, work and live in peace. Members in the greater Chattanooga area join in encouraging religious liberty everywhere, and also express appreciation to Vice President Pence.