Durham also displayed maps that showed the state of religious freedom of all nations and how the LDS Church only operates and grows in those that guarantee freedom of worship. "We remain a tiny minority virtually everywhere — so religious-freedom protections continue to be of tremendous significance to the church and its members," Durham said.

Studies cited by Durham last fall at BYU's conference echoed what John Locke predicted 300 years ago: If nations protected the rights of religious minorities, they would be rewarded with loyal citizens grateful for the freedom to practice their beliefs.

Nearly all countries have adopted their constitutions since the end of World War II, and the process continues, often with Durham's aid. Next month, he will consult with another nation writing a new constitution, just as he did for one country last year and another the year before.

The First Freedom Center also gave out its annual awards to a national religious freedom advocate and to a Virginian. The national award winner was Douglas Laycock, who has been involved in Supreme Court cases surrounding issues like animal sacrifice and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Virginia award went to Samuel Ericsson, president and CEO of Advocates International, a global network of legal professionals based in Fairfax, Va., guided by the parable of the Good Samaritan to promote religious freedom, human rights and the integration of faith and legal practice.

"All three award recipients have made profound contributions to furthering the principles of religious freedom in Virginia, in the United States and around the world," said Tommy Baer, chairman of the First Freedom Center's board of trustees.

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