We are saddened to announce the passing of Brigadier General Amos A. “Joe” Jordan, Jr. on June 7, 2018, at the age of 96. General Jordan was a pillar of expertise and leadership for the Wheatley Institute in its early years. His extensive service in the government, military and academic world and his influence and recommendations allowed the Institution to feature highly sought after speakers at BYU. From his youth as a boxing champion to his young adult years at West Point to his outstanding accomplishments as an adult, he leaves behind a legacy of personal integrity and character.

I am not legally bound to honor the holy spaces of others, to make room for their beliefs and practices, or to respond to their religious speech with peace, tolerance and respect. But the norm of religious freedom creates a powerful social force encouraging me to do so.

Differences of opinion are part of life and differences of conviction are part of life too. I think we need to have the expectation that we're not always going to agree, even on the most important, even on the most personal, down-to-the-heart type of things. And that is okay. The way that we disagree is what's important.

Latter-day Saints provide something of a case study in the fruits that come when prosocial faith is provided space to live out its ideals.