2025 Annual Fireside: Religious Freedom, Institutional Governance, and Stewardship to God

At the J. Reuben Clark Law Society's Annual Fireside on Friday, January 17, 2025, Law Society members around the world gathered for strength, inspiration, and guidance. The fireside took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was broadcast worldwide. President Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Quentin L. Cook, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined more than 200 Law Society members in attendance.

The evening began with a Law Society Update from International Chair, David Garner, who addressed the Society’s 34 student chapters and 180 attorney chapters. Mr. Garner also reviewed the Society’s new Vision Statement: to defend religious freedom, serve the vulnerable, and uphold the rule of law. Mr. Garner also shared his hope for Law Society members to translate the conviction of the JRCLS vision into public service.

David H. Moore, Dean of the BYU Law School, introduced the 2025 recipient of the Franklin S. Richards Public Service Award: Ms. Silvina Frol of the Argentina Buenos Aires Chapter. Ms. Frol’s many accomplishments include providing at least 600 hours of pro bono legal service every year for the past seven years.  In accepting the award, Ms. Frol expressed her gratitude and encouraged Law Society members to use their skills to promote justice and virtue in their communities to bless those in need.

After a poignant rendition of “I Stand all Amazed” by BYU Law’s Habeas Chorus, Elder Alexander Dushku, General Authority Seventy, introduced the keynote speaker by quoting the Church Educational System’s (CES) Mission: “all education is ultimately character education and thus the highest and best education seeks to develop the character of Christ.” 

Elder Clark G. Gilbert is a General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of the CES. He shared that religious expression is more than mere religious liberty. It is a relationship between religious freedom, institutional governance, and stewardship to God. The first two factors are necessary, but not sufficient, conditions for religious expression. 

Elder Gilbert also taught how three characteristics should define our religious freedoms and stewardship of higher educational systems: do not hide your religious expression, have clarity of conviction, and bless and serve others. Pointing to Brigham Young University, Elder Gilbert explained how institutional governance is crucial to prevent a loss of religious identity at higher education.

Most importantly, Elder Gilbert discussed the three key aspects of our personal and institutional stewardship to God: civic, intellectual, and ministerial. By focusing on these aspects, Elder Gilbert explained, we can preserve religious identity at “Christ-centered, prophetically directed” institutions.

You can view the 2025 Annual Fireside in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese on the Law Society’s YouTube channel.  Please also mark your calendars for next year’s fireside on Friday, January 16, 2026!