At this time of discord and division based on a plethora of social pressures, we must take heed not to fall into the traps set by the adversary to be aggressive or have hatred toward each other. We must not be swept away into the tsunami waves of violent behavior seemingly justified by one misfortunate outcome over another. We can solve our differences with decency as we apply the teachings of Christ to our hearts. We must remember we have already been called by our Lord, His prophets, and apostles to be peacemakers, not justice seekers of revenge, even when such justice is warranted. Matt.5:38-41

In his recent talk, “Peacemakers Needed,” our prophet spoke clearly: “...I promised myself that whatever happened in my operating room, I would never lose control of my emotions. I also vowed that day never to throw anything in anger—whether it be scalpels or words.” In this example, a surgeon got angry during an operation and threw a scalpel, and it stuck into President Nelson’s forearm.

President Nelson continued with, “Even now, decades later, I find myself wondering if the contaminated scalpel that landed in my arm was any more toxic than the venomous contention that infects our civic dialogue and too many personal relationships today. Civility and decency seem to have disappeared during this era of polarization and passionate disagreements.”

He adds, “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”

The Savior taught, as recorded in Matthew chapter five, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Elder Nelson added, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” The Savior adds an unconventional thought: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

I think you and I get the point. We must never let our emotions take over to where we injure others with our words or actions. We must be true disciples of Christ. We must not join in the social pressures to pick up weapons and fight each other, even if those actions seem justified.

The Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s laid down their lives instead of taking up arms against their enemy. We might have to do the same, metaphorically speaking.  Let’s be faithful in the call to be peacemakers and show a purity of heart to every nation, tongue, and kindred that the wicked of the world will say, “And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.” D&C 45:68-71 

Clearly the people of Zion will have the power of Christ in them, and nations will fear her because she’s protected by God. Let’s make sure to be peacemakers, His children, and have Zion as the standard-bearer of peace for all the nations of this earth to follow. Let’s endure the stripes of the oppressor with humility as truce-bearers.

Brother Tuckett