As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting all to fast and pray for religious liberty.
“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,” wrote President Dallin H. Oaks and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson, in an official communication to church leaders and members.
Members are invited to fast on Sunday, July 5 — the day after the United States’ Independence Day on July 4.
The First Presidency also invited members to watch a new church video that will be available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, in which President Christofferson and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “will offer instruction about the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and related events that enabled the restoration of the church.”
All church units in the United States are invited to use this video during a fifth-Sunday meeting on May 31 to discuss the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and “how these documents support religious freedom and our God-given agency.”
The letter also invites members to participate in service projects and activities associated with the 250th anniversary observance, including projects organized through JustServe and FamilySearch.
JustServe and FamilySearch International are collaborating with America250 — the official nonpartisan initiative established by Congress to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary.
First Presidency letter on 250th anniversary
Following is the full text of the First Presidency letter:
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
The United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence throughout 2026. A new video will be available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org in which President D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Quentin L. Cook will offer instruction about the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and related events that enabled the Restoration of the Church. All wards and branches in the United States are invited to use this video during a fifth-Sunday meeting on May 31 to discuss the importance of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and how these documents support religious freedom and our God-given agency.
Additionally, 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.
Over the course of 2026, members are also invited to participate in service projects and activities associated with the 250th anniversary observance, including projects organized through JustServe and FamilySearch.