#peacemaking

Short answer: No. Long answer: let’s do some investigating with quotes from our official church sources!

“As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, what does the Lord expect of us? As a Church, we must renounce war and proclaim peace… (and) expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family.”

-Russel M. Nelson, October 2002

“Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions. Regrettably, we sometimes see contentious behavior even within our own ranks… My dear brothers and sisters, this should not be. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others—especially when we have differences of opinion… God has invited all to come unto Him, “black and white, bond and free, male and female.” There is room for everyone. However, there is no room for prejudice, condemnation, or contention of any kind.”

-Russel M. Nelson, April 2023

”(Those who identify as Transgender) should be treated with sensitivity, kindness, compassion, and an abundance of Christlike love.“

-“Transgender”, ChurchofJesusChrist.org

“Striving to follow the Savior’s teachings and example, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints condemns racial and cultural prejudice in any form. President Russell M. Nelson has taught: “The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!”⁠

President Nelson also taught that Church members should “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you,” he said, “to promote respect for all of God’s children.””

-“Racial and Cultural Prejudice”, Topics and Questions, ChurchofJesusChrist.org

“God loves all of us. He loves those of different faiths and those without any faith. He loves those who suffer. He loves the rich and poor alike. He loves people of every race and culture, the married or single, and those who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. And God expects us to follow His example.”

-“Same-sex attraction”, Life Help, ChurchofJesusChrist.org

So again: short answer, no. Long answer, individuals have in the past and do still sometimes make their own choices and act with prejudice, but these actions are contrary to God’s commandments, our church doctrine, teachings, and practices, and those who exhibit actions of racism, homophobia, and transphobia, along with any other kind of discrimination should repent or else face judgment from God!!

All violence is injustice. We should not inflict that injustice on ourselves or on other people. Historians and teachers as well as politicians should look deeply at the suffering caused by wars, not just at the justifications that governments give for them. We have to teach our children the truth about war so they learn from our experiences and understand that violence and war are not the right way, that they are not the right actions to take. We have to show our children that people on both sides of war… are victims of the ignorance and violence rooted in their societies and governments.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. This verse reminds us of the profound importance of peace in our lives and in our world. Jesus, speaking in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizes that being a peacemaker is not just a passive state but an active role we are called to embrace. In a world often filled with strife and division, the act of creating peace among individuals and communities is a reflection of our faith in God.

When we engage in peacemaking, we embody the character of God. We become instruments of His peace, shining His light into the darkness of conflict and anger. This requires us to look beyond our differences and seek understanding, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It is a challenging journey that invites us to step outside our comfort zones and extend grace to others, just as God has extended grace to us.

In our faith journey, we can find inner peace when we align ourselves with God's call to be peacemakers. As we pray for wisdom and courage, we can learn to navigate conflicts with love and compassion. This act of prayer becomes a vital tool, grounding us in Christ's teachings and allowing us to approach situations with a heart of humility.

Reflect on this:

How can you be a peacemaker in your own life today?

Are there relationships in your life that could benefit from reconciliation?

Photographer unknown :: Source: Prabook.com

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"If you want peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."

~Desmond Tutu