[Press Release] President Christofferson Visits Philadelphia and Toronto

Standing at the National Constitution Center near Independence Hall, where the U.S. Constitution was adopted, President D. Todd Christofferson joined faith leaders on Thursday, June 11, 2026, to support religious freedom for everyone.

The Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered the invocation at Becket’s annual Canterbury Medal Gala that celebrates religious freedom. The event comes as the Church and the United States celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

President Christofferson was joined by his wife, Kathy, as well as Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elders Matthew S. Holland and Alexander Dushku of the Seventy. The group also visited historic sites, including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, during their time in Philadelphia.

Reflecting on the event on June 12 in front of Independence Hall, where the Constitution was signed, President Christofferson noted a key verse in Doctrine and Covenants 101. It teaches that the Constitution was “established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh.”

“[That means] all mankind, not just in this nation but everywhere in the world,” President Christofferson said. “I think it’s proven to be that wherever those principles have been adopted, the people have flourished and the blessings that we enjoy have been enjoyed by them.”

Both President Christofferson and Elder Holland (who leads the Church’s global communication efforts) praised Becket for defending and promoting religious liberty for all. Becket is a public-interest organization dedicated to protecting the free expression of religious traditions.

“I think about that Joseph Smith statement, that [he would] be willing to die for the rights of all different faiths — Catholic, Jews, Muslims. Not just our own,” Elder Holland said. “We see that with Becket. We’re willing to stand with others to defend their rights. And they’re willing to stand with us. There’s a power and a principle of equality and inclusiveness that we’re doing this in a multifaith way.”

“[Becket is] very effective,” added President Christofferson. “They do a superb work. The key to their success is that they’re focused on religious liberty for everyone. Not just certain faiths, but all faiths and even those who have no faith. They are intent on ensuring that everyone has what the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights provides, and that is freedom of belief and religion and practice.”

A Meeting With Missionaries in Toronto: “A Sign of Progress”

After his stop in Philadelphia, President and Sister Christofferson visited missionaries in the Canada Toronto Mission on Saturday, June 13. President Christofferson noted that their granddaughter is currently serving in the mission.

The gathering with a little over 250 missionaries came at a bittersweet moment — just weeks before the mission is divided into three missions.

“I take it as a sign of progress, of the Lord hastening His work,” President Christofferson said. “We’ll end up with the Toronto West, Toronto East, and Montreal Missions in this part of Canada, which tells you a lot about what’s happening. It’s a growing, strong, vibrant area in the Church.”

Last October, the Church announced the creation of 55 new missions — including the Canada Toronto East Mission — effective July 1, 2026. As of that date, the Church will have 506 missions worldwide.

Young missionaries left Saturday’s gathering uplifted and inspired.

Elder Scott, for example, said the influence of the Holy Ghost made the experience most memorable.

“[President Christofferson’s visit] strengthened my testimony in different ways than I thought it would,” Elder Scott said. “I thought that it would be strengthened by the things that he said and the things that we would be invited to do. But it was really strengthened most by the Spirit and what the Spirit spoke to me rather than anything else that was said.”

Another missionary, Sister Bourelle, said she felt an increased measure of love.

“Prophets are real, and that they are the mouthpiece of God, and I’m walking away just with more love for Heavenly Father’s children, that He wants them to come unto Him, and it’s not through me, but it’s through the Spirit.”

President Christofferson, who has served as a General Authority of the Church for more than three decades, said meeting with missionaries has had a rejuvenating effect throughout his years of service around the globe.

“It’s always a highlight to meet with missionaries,” he said. “It’s wonderful to feel their vibrancy, their sincerity, their love for the work and love for people. We don’t know if we do them much good, but they do us a lot of good. They lift us.”

A Gathering With Youth: “I Plead With You to … Care About Each Other”

On Saturday night, President Christofferson spoke to hundreds of Latter-day Saint youth in Toronto, encouraging them to strengthen one another in faith, focus on what matters most and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“I plead with you to, whatever your situation is in your ward or branch, to support each other, to care about each other, even to pray for each other, and to do all you can to encourage each other to be strong, to be firm, to be faithful,” he said.

President Christofferson taught them to be good examples of faith in every circumstance.

“You don’t always realize how important, how strong your example can be, how many people are observing [you], both in and out of the Church,” he said. “They draw strength from that when you’re strong. You can be a big help just by being a righteous Latter-day Saint.”

He also taught youth that God knows them perfectly, and they can find Him in prayer.

“Don’t feel like there’s any place you can go that He won’t be able to reach and help and hear you. He doesn’t need a visa. He can just be there. And I promise you, as you call upon Him and let Him respond as and when He will, that He will respond to you. He knows you. He loves you. He loves you as much as he loves me. He loves you as much as He loves Dallin H. Oaks. You’re as important and as crucial and invaluable to Him as anyone else.”

Brookly Winters, who attended the event, said President Christofferson’s visit alone helped her feel seen.

“It just shows that they really care about all of us to come and devote their time and energy to come speak to all the youth here,” she said.

Amelia Fischer, another youth, had a similar feeling.

“He kept saying, ‘The Lord loves you individually, and He cares for you,’” she said. “That part really stood out to me personally. He looked around and said it multiple times. And he just kept repeating it. … No amount of words can describe how I felt tonight. I felt the Spirit so strongly while I was in there. I just know I felt Christ’s love, and I could feel the power that His disciples have.”