Elder Pieper Represents Church at Congress of World Religions

In July 2009, Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy, then President of the Europe East Area, presented a paper at the Third Congress of Traditional and World Religions convened in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The triennial congress was established in 2003 on the premise that through dialogue, religions can find ways to work together to bless mankind.

Representing the Church, Elder Pieper, who speaks fluent Russian, sat on a panel of distinguished religious leaders discussing the topic of “Solidarity, Especially in the Period of Crises.”

Elder Pieper called it a moral imperative to follow the Savior’s teachings.

“We try to emulate His obedience, love, compassion, and service to others collectively as a church and in our personal lives,” he said.

Elder Pieper offered three guiding principles to expand solidarity with other religions: the right to choose one’s worship, friendship to all denominations, and a unified approach to the world’s challenges where possible.

Elder Pieper praised the organizers of the congress and extended the Church’s willingness and desire to work with any and all religious leaders in achieving a safer, more peaceful and prosperous world.

Approximately 75 delegations from religious traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shintoism, and Zoroastrianism attended, as well as leaders of academic and governmental institutions.