07/03/2026
Friends,
We hope you have a wonderful July 4th weekend! We are so blessed to live where we do. We hope you will count your blessings this weekend and celebrate the wonderful heritage that is ours as citizens of the United States of America.
This weekend we celebrate the formation of this great country and the many sacrifices that have been offered to give us a constitutional republic where our rights and freedoms are protected. It is easy to take our blessings for granted and we hope that each of us will be filled with gratitude for what we have been given and a commitmet to do our part to maintain our freedoms.
The First Presidency has stated, "On Sunday, July 5, 2026, all are invited to participate in a unified fast to express gratitude for religious liberty and to pray that it be strengthened throughout the world. Please convey this invitation to members of your stakes, wards, and branches beforehand so they can prayerfully consider the focus of their fast."
We ask that you prepare to fast meaningfully this Sunday in response to the request from our leaders. If you would like to study about the topic of religious freedom, the link here is a great place to find information. At the bottom of the essay are two links that lead to talks on religious freedom and videos about it. You may particularly enjoy the videos and consider showing them to your family.
With love and gratitude for each of you,
President Kivett
President Bingham
President Downey
Rexburg Idaho Stake Presidency
Freedom of religion is a basic principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a fundamental human right.
