Defending Faith, Serving our Neighbors, and Upholding the Rule of Law: Review of the 2024 JRCLS Leadership Conference

From 3 – 4 October 2024, leaders of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (JRCLS) gathered at Aspen Grove, Provo, Utah. Over two picturesque fall days, attendees received guidance and inspiration from speakers and from each other. This article offers a few highlights. Other articles will discuss resources for planning chapter events and survey successful chapters around the world.

What do JRCLS members actually do? David Garner, the Law Society’s International Chair, revealed that people often ask him what he does. In response, Garner presented the Law Society’s Vision Statement:

As lawyers and law students of faith, we accomplish the Law Society’s mission by doing the following:

1. We defend religious freedom and moral values.
2. We serve the vulnerable in our communities through pro bono legal service and humanitarian service.
3. We uphold the rule of law and principles of constitutionalism.

In pursuing these and other worthy efforts aligned with our mission, we seek social connection among our members and collaboration with other organizations and good people of faith.

​Garner said that the statement is a call for JRCLS members to serve as Law Society evangelists. Indeed, attendees at the conference hailed from 27 countries and traveled between 15 and 9,200 miles.

Thursday’s keynote speaker, Scott Cameron, former JRCLS Executive Director, focused on the Law Society’s founding and what it means to be a leader in the Law Society. Cameron asked attendees to draw advice from Alma 32:27 to “awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words[.]” Cameron also identified three points to experiment upon.

First, attendees should examine the Law Society’s origins. JRCLS takes its name from J. Reuben Clark Jr., a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint from the early 20th century. J. Reuben Clark Jr.’s legacy reveals three principles the Law Society espouses: bringing individual religious principles to the practice of law; mentorship; and assisting the needy. Second, Cameron discussed the gathering of names. At the Law Society’s formation, Cameron recalled how founders collected names of latter-day saint attorneys. Because they did so, Cameron was able to connect a family member with a legal issue to a JRCLS member. Third, Cameron shared how Law Society membership builds friendships. He emphasized that such friendships allow members not only to solve legal issues but also to associate with like-minded individuals.

In closing, Cameron offered five challenges for JRCLS leaders: (1) Ask “are there things we can do better?” (2) Promote a Chapter activity that reminds members of J. Reuben Clark Jr.; (3) Read and discuss talks by legally-trained General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; (4) Read law literature like To Kill a Mockingbird; and (5) Read biographies of J. Reuben Clark Jr. 

The Law Society also announced Angel Zimmerman as the new International Chair-Elect. Zimmerman lives in Topeka, Kansas and practices collections law, loves the color yellow and bees. Her motto is: “Bee Above Your Usual.”  Outgoing committee chairs were also recognized, including Candace Andersen (Women in Law); Katrinka Blunt (Communications); Eileen Doyle Crane (Student Engagement); Kate Sookhoo (Leadership Development Team); and Angel Zimmerman (Chapter Relations Council).  Former JRCLS International Board Members Erin Fale and Gordon Smith were also recognized at the conference for their prior service. 

On Friday morning, attendees hiked to Stewart Falls. Hikers witnessed, as Cameron put it, the grandeur of God. With the falls behind and the rising sun in front, Law Society members joined in prayer and song. 

Sam Morales, the 2025 Annual Conference Chair, shared information about the upcoming conference in Mexico City, Mexico for the 2025 JRCLS Annual Conference, which will be held 6 – 8 March 2025.  With the theme of “Uno”, Spanish for the word “one”, the conference will be held at the beautiful Temple Square Complex.

Attendees also learned more about the Law Society’s “Fortify the Family” workshop with a presentation hosted by Shasllely Garcia Guillen, Mexico Area Chair. Luisa Yael Amador Gamboa, Mexico Campeche Chapter Chair, and Mario Pacheco Ceballos, Mexico Area Board Member, also presented, discussing their experiences preparing and hosting a Fortify the Family Workshop. Ceballos testified: “If you change the life of one child, the workshop will be a success.” 
During an interview by Alex Alton from the JRCLS Conference and Events Committee, Odacyr Prigol, Brazil Area Chair, spoke about his experiences growing up in a Catholic family, becoming involved in service initiatives during law school, his introduction to the Law Society, and the great growth of the JRCLS in Brazil.  Prigol noted that the Brazilian people are friendly, religious, hardworking people who care about their neighbors and are committed to improving their committees.  Due to this, the Law Society has grown rapidly and its members are making important contributions in the legal community and beyond. 

A highlight of the conference was the Chapter Recognition awards ceremony where chapters who qualified for the awards were recognized, including ten chapters who received the bronze award, seven chapters who received the silver award, and 30 chapters who received the gold award.  For a full list of chapters who received awards, click here: 2024 Chapter Award Recognition Award Recipients.

Three Area Legal Counsel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints concluded the conference by sharing how they recognize the hand of the Lord in their work. David Stanford spoke about the Africa Central Area. To tackle legal issues, he asks, “what is the next step to solve this problem?” He then prays for guidance. For example, through inspiration, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took steps to re-enter South Sudan after an 11-year hiatus. Central Europe’s Area Legal Counsel, Jay Pimentel, spoke on the opening of “effectual door[s].” He testified of seeing such doors open. For instance, he shared how Hungary changed its visa laws so that the Church could no longer rely on visas for missionaries. But a door opened when Mr. Pimentel asked about the Church registering as a service organization. Last, Mr. John Craig discussed the Europe North area. He also described Area Legal Counsel’s work as fulfilling the Lord’s need for Latter-Day Saints to open effectual doors. 

The 2024 JRCLS Leadership Conference was an unqualified success thanks to its organizers and participants. To be sure, the strength of the Law Society is its members. See you in Mexico City!

Written by Christopher Melling