Clinton's editorial in the Utah newspaper has deeper significance in 2016. The state is a traditional Republican bastion and most of its residents are adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, colloquially known as Mormons.
However, Mormons' lack of support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump may provide an opening for Clinton.
In her editorial, Clinton said when she was Secretary of State she made protection of religious minorities a "cornerstone" of foreign policy, including Coptic Christians in Egypt, Buddhists in Tibet and Chinese Christians.
"We stood up for these oppressed communities because Americans know that democracy ceases to exist when a leader or ruling faction can impose a particular faith on everyone else," she said.
Farr, however, questioned this evaluation of U.S. foreign policy.
"Their approach was highly rhetorical and program-poor. Under her watch, the National Security Strategy's discussion of fundamental American values virtually ignored religious freedom," he said.
He pointed to the years-long vacancy in the Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom position, charging that it was ultimately filled by someone "without the qualifications to do the job."
For Farr, Clinton's narrow understanding of religious freedom helps explain why the Clinton State Department "accomplished virtually nothing (other than a few fine speeches and reports) in the arena of religious freedom."
"While there are other reasons for State's ineffectiveness under Secretary Clinton, one is quite clear: it is difficult to sell to others a product which you no longer understand, and in which you do not believe," Farr said.
Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services' Egan Journalism Fellowship.