Newsroom staff recently sat down with Elder Dominic R. Sénéchal and his wife, Sister Marie-Lyne Lallemant. Elder Sénéchal was named an AreaSeventy and a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2023 general conference. He is responsible for the North America Northeast Area, Montreal Co-ordinating Council.
The Sénéchals were invited to share their thoughts on World Religion Day, celebrated on the third Sunday of January each year.
With many individuals participating in approximately 4,200 religions worldwide and many others living without religion or faith, World Religion Day is a chance to celebrate this diversity and look for commonalities. It is a time to remember the need for harmony and understanding among religious groups, faith systems and world views.
World Religion Day, celebrated on January 19, 2025, was established by the Baha’i community in 1950. World Religion Day does not require people to adopt the same creed but rather focuses on “oneness in diversity, a hope that the world’s religions will help to bring about love, peace and respect” (“World Religion Day: Oneness in Diversity”).
World Religion Day reminds us of the need for harmony and understanding among religions and faith systems. What can Latter-day Saints do to help promote harmony and understanding among faith traditions?
Elder Sénéchal: The gospel of Jesus Christ encourages love and kindness to everyone, regardless of differences. President Russell M. Nelson has recently invited everyone to be peacemakers and “interact with others in a higher, holier way” (“Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference). Former President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) once said: “I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. As we know, the world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours” (“Looking Back and Moving Forward,” April 2008 general conference).
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that all “people of faith have cause to believe not only in the good of their own religion but also in the good of religion in general” (“The Relevance of Religion”).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 17 million members worldwide. Its leaders have always encouraged members to be involved in their communities, build relationships and help those in need.
I believe Latter-day Saints and other concerned people can play a critical role in protecting religious harmony and understanding between faith traditions. One way to do this is by being “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12). President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency has said, “As followers of Christ, we should live peacefully with others who do not share our values or accept the teachings upon which they are based” (“Loving Others and Living with Differences,” October 2014 general conference).
Could you give a few examples of things that you have done or that others could do to learn about other faith traditions?
Sister Sénéchal: One simple way is to speak openly about what we do and believe in our daily lives. This will create an opportunity for open discussions with our friends, neighbours and colleagues. For example, we recently shared with our neighbours that 2025 would be a very special year for our family since our son Eli would go on a mission for our Church. This was not only a chance to speak of our beliefs but also an occasion for our neighbours to share their beliefs about and traditions of service as part of the Muslim faith.
Elder Sénéchal: Another way to learn about other faith traditions is to engage with various religious traditions in your area. You can do this by serving alongside them in your community. We recently had the opportunity to participate with our local Catholic parish to help with Christmas baskets. This was an opportunity to create relationships and learn how both faith traditions seek to follow Christ’s admonition to help those in need.
Do you have any examples of working with other faith traditions to promote greater harmony?
Elder Sénéchal: I have the opportunity to represent the Church on the Table interreligieuse de concertation du Québec (Quebec Interreligious Roundtable). This organization includes 14 representatives from various religions. We meet occasionally to speak and take action to help preserve religious freedom. This is an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people. We share common values and work together on things we all agree are a priority and important in our community. We hope to be a force for good while collaborating on these issues. This is a great opportunity for me to work with other faiths and promote greater harmony.
Sister Sénéchal: One way to promote greater harmony is to pray for our friends, especially when they go through life challenges. Many of my friends come from different cultures and religions, and through the years, I had many opportunities to exercise my faith by praying for them. I let them know why I pray for them and that I believe God hears our prayers. This is always an opportunity to increase unity and love, one for one another.
What do you think people of faith can do to promote harmony in public discourse and dialogue in our communities?
Elder Sénéchal: People of faith can emphasize God’s love for all people, not just those of one religion. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared: “We honor and respect sincere souls from all religions, no matter where or when they lived, who have loved God. … We lift our voices in gratitude for their selflessness and courage. We embrace them as brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father” (“Respect for Diversity of Faiths,” April 18, 2008). For me, this is the key point: we are all children of our Heavenly Father, and we need to make sure our actions and dialogue with others in the public sphere will build, lift, encourage, persuade and inspire all to increase harmony and respect of faith traditions in this world.