Blog Post

Honoring Becket Friend and Religious Liberty Ally: Elder L. Tom Perry “A good character is something you must make for yourself. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life.”

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Ryan Colby 202-349-7219 media@becketlaw.org

Picture of Elder L. Tom Perry with a quote about religious freedom

“A good character is something you must make for yourself. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life.”

Today we remember a dear friend of the Becket Fund and a staunch defender of religious liberty, L. Tom Perry, a member of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bill Mumma, president of the Becket Fund recalls Elder Perry: “He really was a giant of man – full of good-natured zeal. He believed the fight for religious liberty was worthwhile and he insisted on action right away!”

At nearly 6-foot-five, Elder Perry’s commanding physical presence combined with his enthusiasm and optimistic style made him a powerful force for good. He spoke frequently about the importance of religion in society, the family and preserving religious freedom, emphasizing that the “essential freedoms of conscience, embedded in religious liberty, must be diligently preserved and protected.” He worked closely with leaders of other faith and religious institutions to promote the cause of religious freedom.

His support of faith started long before he was called as a member of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Perry often recounted the devastation of WWII in Nagasaki, Japan as one of the saddest experiences of his life. The loss of life and lack of food left many Japanese children to fend for themselves. He and his friends organized an orphanage with sisters from the Catholic Church and rebuilt local chapels during their off-duty time.

The cause for religious liberty lost a great advocate and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Elder Perry’s life is an example of how all of us should live: always willing to lend a listening ear, diligently seeking opportunities to serve and lift others, and ever optimistic in the face of adversity.