Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Andersen define a peacemaker?
- What role does faith play in being a peacemaker?
- How does Elder Andersen suggest we should respond to criticism or opposition?
- What are the challenges and opportunities presented by social media in promoting peace?
- How does the example of Jesus Christ guide our efforts to be peacemakers?
Topics
Understanding the Challenge of Social Media
Elder Andersen discusses the powerful impact of the internet, noting that it can both amplify voices of goodness and spread words of contempt and anger. He emphasizes the need for disciples of Christ to navigate this landscape with faith and patience, promoting peace and understanding even in the face of polarized voices.
In a world of social media and information superhighways, one person’s voice can be multiplied exponentially.
No one or no subject, including the Savior and His restored gospel, is immune from this social phenomenon of polarized voices.
- What are the challenges and opportunities presented by social media in promoting peace?
- How can we use social media to be peacemakers?
- Have you experienced polarized voices on social media? How did you respond?
- How can you use your social media presence to promote peace and understanding?
Becoming a Peacemaker through Faith
Elder Andersen emphasizes the role of faith in becoming a peacemaker. By having faith in Jesus Christ, we can calm and cool the fiery darts of the adversary. This faith also gives us the strength to share our beliefs with conviction, without anger or malice.
By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching—meaning to calm, cool, or extinguish—all the fiery darts of the adversary.
What gives us the inner strength to cool, calm, and quench the fiery darts aimed toward the truths we love? The strength comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and our faith in His words.
- What does it mean to be a peacemaker?
- How does faith in Jesus Christ help us to become peacemakers?
- How have you experienced the power of faith in promoting peace?
- What can you do to strengthen your faith and become a more effective peacemaker?
Respecting Agency and Opposition
Elder Andersen discusses the importance of respecting others" agency and understanding that opposition is a part of our mortal experience. Even when faced with disbelief or criticism, we should choose the path of peacemakers, promoting understanding and respect for different beliefs.
First, our Heavenly Father has given each individual his or her moral agency, with the ability to choose one’s own path. This agency is one of the greatest gifts of God.
We rejoice in the blessing of agency, understanding that there will be many who do not believe what we believe.
- What is the relationship between agency and peace?
- How can we respect others" agency while promoting peace?
- How have you navigated situations where others" beliefs differed from your own?
- What can you do to better respect others" agency and promote peace?
Following the Example of the Lord’s Leaders
Elder Andersen emphasizes the unique role of the Lord’s leaders, who are called and ordained to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and strengthen the kingdom of God. Even when their words are contrary to the thinking and trends of the world, they seek to promote peace and understanding.
Some view the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as having worldly motives, like political, business, and cultural leaders.
We seek to know the Lord’s will and to proclaim it, especially to those who seek eternal life.
- How do the Lord’s leaders set an example of being peacemakers?
- How can we follow their example in promoting peace?
- How have you been influenced by the example of the Lord’s leaders?
- What can you do to better follow their example in being a peacemaker?
Promoting Peace through Love and Understanding
Elder Andersen concludes by emphasizing the importance of love and understanding in promoting peace. He encourages us to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who taught us to love one another and be peacemakers, even in the face of opposition or betrayal.
We genuinely love and care for all our neighbors, whether or not they believe as we do.
May we love Him and love one another. May we be peacemakers, that we may be called the “children of God,” I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- What role does love play in being a peacemaker?
- How can we promote peace through understanding and compassion?
- How have you experienced the power of love in promoting peace?
- What can you do to better love and understand others, especially those who believe differently from you?
