Rumors about me—my beliefs, my views of others’ beliefs, and my intentions as mayor—have spread quickly. On Wednesday night, for example, I was asked if I believe Latter-day Saints are Christians. I answered truthfully, “I don’t know.”

The Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9, King James Version). I won’t make a blanket judgment about any group. That would be wrong. The right to judge who is and isn’t saved belongs to God alone. My opinion is irrelevant.

I am, unashamedly, a follower of Christ (Romans 1:16). That is my personal belief. Although I’m not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have friends, neighbors, donors, endorsements and campaign team volunteers who are active members of that faith. I love and respect each one of them. I also have many friends and supporters who hold no religious beliefs, and I love and respect them as well.

I appreciate and agree with two beliefs from the church’s Articles of Faith:

“We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:1).

“We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith 1:11, Pearl of Great Price).

Freedom of religion is the first right listed and protected in the Bill of Rights. It’s the government’s job to safeguard this freedom.

In campaigns, rumors are designed to divide us. If you have questions, please ask. I’ll always answer truthfully—and sometimes that answer may be, “I don’t know.”

As mayor, I will always work to protect others’ freedom to worship as faithfully as I work to protect my own.