I can see how that issue of religious freedom really flows through so many different parts of life.

So politics, yes, the Supreme Court, yes, but also just our interactions with our neighbors, our conversation with our school districts, and to see how it really matters that we all understand religious freedom and believe in it and try to uphold it in our country and in our personal lives.

And I think that my own relationships with members of the Church of Jesus Christ to Latter-day Saints

is partly why I've become so excited about being able to have this job explaining religious

freedom and explaining how powerful this interfaith movement can be.

I'm not a member of the church, but I live in this area that's kind of dominated by members.

And so I feel those olive branches of friendship extended to me regularly.

And so it's really exciting to try to encourage people through my writing to do the same in their life.

I'm Sarah Jane Weaver, editor of the Church News.

Welcome to the Church News podcast.

We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Freedom of religion is a basic principle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a fundamental human right.

At the Church News, readers frequently ask us why we write so much about this important topic.

Desert News reporter Kelsey Dallas is recognized nationally for her work on this topic

and joins us today to share her expertise and insights.

Kelsey covers religion, politics, and the Supreme Court

for the Desert News and serves as associate editor of Desert News National. She holds a

master's degree in religion from Yale Divinity School. Kelsey, thank you so much for joining us today.

Thanks for having me. Let's just jump right in and have you start.

What led you to start covering religious freedom for the Desert News?

I basically started covering it because I was told to start covering it.

It's always been a key focus area of our religion coverage.

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