Joseph Smith spoke often of the need for Latter-day Saints to be civil and
courteous in their treatment of others, particularly those who were not of
their faith, and to be willing to defend the right of anyone to religious
freedom. He said:
If we would secure and cultivate the love of others, we must love others
, even our enemies as well as friends... I possess the principle of love.
All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand. The Saints can
testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it has
been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a "Mormon", I am bold
to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the
rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination
. . . . It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul. History of the
Church, 5:498