Peacemakers Needed
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does President Nelson identify as a growing issue in our society?
- What role does President Nelson emphasize for disciples of Jesus Christ?
- What is the antidote to contention, according to President Nelson?
- What are some ways President Nelson suggests we can manage differences of opinion?
Topics
Controlling Emotions and Anger
President Nelson shares a personal experience from his medical career to illustrate the importance of controlling emotions, particularly anger. He emphasizes that contention, whether in the form of physical or verbal assaults, is toxic and destructive.
In that very hour, I promised myself that whatever happened in my operating room, I would never lose control of my emotions.
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.
- What lesson did President Nelson learn from his experience in the operating room?
- How does President Nelson compare the scalpel incident to current societal issues?
- How can you better control your emotions, particularly anger, in your daily interactions?
- Can you think of a time when you could have handled a contentious situation better? What would you do differently?
Role of Disciples as Peacemakers
President Nelson emphasizes that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others, especially when there are differences of opinion. He underscores that true disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be examples of how to interact with others—especially when we have differences of opinion.
True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.
- What is the role of disciples of Jesus Christ in relation to others, according to President Nelson?
- What characteristics define a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
- How can you better exemplify the role of a peacemaker in your daily interactions?
- What actions can you take to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ?
Contention as a Choice
President Nelson asserts that contention is a choice and encourages members to choose peacemaking instead. He emphasizes that how we treat and speak to others really matters.
Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice.
How we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters.
- How does President Nelson describe contention and peacemaking?
- Why does it matter how we treat and speak to others?
- How can you make a conscious choice to be a peacemaker in your daily interactions?
- What changes can you make in how you speak to and about others?
Charity as the Antidote to Contention
President Nelson identifies charity, or the pure love of Christ, as the antidote to contention. He explains that charity helps us to bear one another's burdens and to stand as witnesses of God, especially in tense situations.
Charity is the antidote to contention.
The pure love of Christ allows us “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things”—especially in tense situations.
- What does President Nelson identify as the antidote to contention?
- What is the role of charity in our interactions with others?
- How can you demonstrate charity in your daily interactions?
- Can you think of a situation where you could have shown more charity? How would it have changed the outcome?
Becoming Peacemakers through Personal Change
President Nelson invites members to examine their hearts and make necessary changes to become peacemakers. He emphasizes the need to lay aside bitterness, to cease insisting on one's own way, and to stop making others walk on eggshells for fear of upsetting us.
At this point you may be thinking that this message would really help someone you know. Perhaps you are hoping that it will help him or her to be nicer to you. I hope it will! But I also hope that you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride or jealousy that prevent you from becoming a peacemaker.
Now is the time to lay aside bitterness. Now is the time to cease insisting that it is your way or no way.
- What changes does President Nelson invite us to make in order to become peacemakers?
- Why is it important to examine our own hearts in this process?
- What changes can you make to become a peacemaker?
- How can you better examine your own heart and actions to identify areas for improvement?
