For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, water has always carried deep spiritual meaning — from baptism to scripture. Now, church scholars and environmental leaders are urging believers to see water conservation as a divine responsibility and a critical step toward saving the Great Salt Lake.
At a community forum hosted by Grow the Flow — a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the lake — three Latter-day Saint experts gathered Wednesday at Utah Valley University to connect faith and environmental stewardship.
“Water reminds us of nature’s capacity to renew itself,” said George Handley, a Brigham Young University environmental humanities professor and Provo City Council member. “Jesus referred to himself as the living water. We cannot live without it — spiritually or physically.”
Faith, Science, and Stewardship
Ben Abbott, a BYU ecologist and executive director of Grow the Flow, told attendees that protecting the environment is not only an ecological necessity but a spiritual commandment.
“The reason why I believe God has commanded us over and over again to care for his creation,” Abbott said, “is because his children depend on it.”
Abbott described saving the Great Salt Lake as an act of faith — a way to sustain God’s creations and protect future generations. He encouraged Utahns to reduce water use in homes, landscaping, and agriculture, and to support conservation programs that benefit the shrinking lake.
The LDS Church’s Efforts to Conserve Water
Jenica Sedgwick, sustainability manager for the LDS Church, detailed what she called a “major cultural shift” within the faith toward sustainability.
She said the church has:
- Donated over 20,000 acre-feet of water to the Great Salt Lake.
- Replaced lawns with drought-resistant plants at many chapels and temples.
- Installed smart irrigation systems that automatically adjust water output based on weather conditions.
“This is a big cultural shift for the church,” Sedgwick said. “It’s guiding our operational decisions.”
She cited Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé’s 2022 General Conference address, reminding members that protecting the environment is an integral part of discipleship:
“The care of the Earth and of our natural environment is a sacred responsibility entrusted to us by God,” Caussé said. “How can we honor and love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ without honoring and loving their creations?”
A Moral and Spiritual Call to Action
Speakers agreed that caring for the Earth aligns with core gospel principles — humility, gratitude, and service.
“Every drop saved is progress,” Abbott said. “Restoring the Great Salt Lake isn’t just an environmental challenge; it’s a religious calling to care for God’s creation.”
