The Right to Worship

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The Right to Worship

By: Gov. Larry Rhoden

January 23, 2026

South Dakota is the freest state in America - a nation that was founded on the principle of freedom. Freedom is the bedrock of our communities, our businesses, and our churches. And when freedom comes under assault, South Dakota stands up to defend it.

More than 400 years ago, the Pilgrims crossed the ocean seeking one thing: the freedom to worship God without fear. Our Founding Fathers later enshrined that same freedom in our First Amendment. Our Constitution recognizes that if religious liberty falls, every other liberty eventually falls with it.

In recent days, religious freedom came under assault just a few hundred miles from here in the Twin Cities. That should trouble every single American - it certainly troubled me. So I quickly worked with legislative leadership to announce a plan to fix it.

We introduced Senate Bill 113, which is very straightforward. It safeguards every South Dakotan's right to worship freely. If someone decides to target a house of worship, there will be real consequences. It is already a misdemeanor to disrupt religious worship in South Dakota. With this bill, we'll make it a felony.

We will continue to be a state that doesn't just talk about freedom - we take action when freedom is threatened.

I was joined for the announcement by legislative leadership and evangelist Will Graham. Will Graham has dedicated his life to sharing the Gospel and supporting communities of faith across the nation, and he understands first-hand why we need this legislation.

Will Graham was in town to join us for the Governor's Prayer Breakfast, and it was fitting for us to make this announcement on the same day. There is nothing more humbling and heartwarming than hearing, "Governor, I'm praying for you," words that I have heard from Will Graham many times.

It is a privilege and an honor to serve in public service. America was founded on the revolutionary belief that our rights come from God - not from government. He endowed us with unalienable rights - which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And He instituted government among us to secure those rights.

As God's Word declares in Romans 13:1, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

As public servants, we should pray for wisdom to govern with integrity, humility, and respect for God's will. We should pray for discernment to protect the vulnerable, foster prosperity, and defend freedom. We should pray for God to empower us to serve as stewards of His creation.

And we should always remember that true authority derives from God, not human ambition.

So may God guide our leaders. May we as public servants always honor God's will. And may we always stand up for the Freedom of Religion - for South Dakotans and all Americans.

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