Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Cultivate Peace in Our Hearts
Elder Stevenson emphasizes that peacemaking begins within our own hearts. He draws inspiration from the pure and innocent hearts of children, suggesting that their natural inclination towards kindness and compassion can guide us to be peacemakers.
Looking into the pure and innocent peacemaking heart of a child can be an inspiration for our hearts.
These children’s responses are evidence to me that we are all born with divine inclinations toward kindness and compassion.Key Points:
- Peacemaking starts in our hearts.
- Children naturally exhibit qualities of kindness and compassion.
- The gospel of Jesus Christ nurtures these divine traits.
- Reflect on a time when you felt peace in your heart despite external chaos.
- Consider an instance where you learned a lesson in kindness from a child.
- Think about a personal experience where you chose to respond with compassion rather than anger.
Build Peacemaking in Our Homes
Elder Stevenson shares a story of a family who chose to respond to a difficult relationship with kindness rather than retaliation. This approach transformed their interactions and highlights the power of applying Christlike attributes in family settings.
Instead of responding with silence or retaliation, the children would do something unexpected: they would respond with kindness.
Kindness had done its quiet work.Key Points:
- Use persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, meekness, and love unfeigned in family relationships.
- Responding with kindness can transform difficult relationships.
- Building peacemaking at home requires deliberate effort and a commitment to Christlike principles.
- Recall a time when you resolved a family conflict through kindness.
- Share a story of how your family has worked together to create a more peaceful home environment.
- Think about an occasion where you witnessed forgiveness and reconciliation in your family.
Promote Peacemaking in Our Communities
Elder Stevenson recounts the inspiring story of a Muslim imam and a Christian pastor in Nigeria who overcame deep religious divides through forgiveness and cooperation. Their example demonstrates the power of peacemaking on a community level.
The only way to build a peaceful community is to build men and women who are lovers and makers of peace.
These former enemies now travel side by side rebuilding what was broken, living witnesses that the Savior’s invitation to be peacemakers is not only possible—it is powerful.Key Points:
- Peacemaking in communities requires individuals committed to peace.
- Forgiveness and cooperation can bridge deep divides.
- The Savior's invitation to be peacemakers is both possible and powerful.
- Describe a time when you helped mediate peace in a community setting.
- Reflect on a situation where you witnessed reconciliation between groups in conflict.
- Share your thoughts on how you can contribute to building bridges in your community.
Implement a One-Week Peacemaker Plan
Elder Stevenson challenges individuals to actively practice peacemaking through a simple, actionable plan. This includes creating a contention-free home, building digital bridges, and repairing strained relationships.
Peacemaking demands action—what might that be, for each of us, starting tomorrow?
Would you consider a one-week, three-step peacemaker plan?Key Points:
- Create a contention-free home zone.
- Build digital bridges by sharing goodness online.
- Repair and reunite strained relationships through apology and ministering.
- Think about a recent online interaction and how you could have responded more peacefully.
- Consider a relationship in your life that could benefit from reconciliation.
- Reflect on how implementing a peacemaker plan could change the atmosphere in your home.
Embrace the Christlike Attribute of Peacemaking
Elder Stevenson concludes by emphasizing that peacemaking is a Christlike attribute requiring strength and courage. He encourages individuals to strive to become peacemakers, fulfilling their divine role as children of God.
Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute.
To be a peacemaker is not to be weak but to be strong in a way that the world may not understand.Key Points:
- Peacemaking requires courage and compromise.
- It is a Christlike attribute taught by Jesus Christ and modern-day prophets.
- Striving to be peacemakers fulfills our divine role as children of Heavenly Father.
- Reflect on how being a peacemaker has strengthened your faith.
- Share an experience where you felt the strength that comes from peacemaking.
- Consider how you can further develop the attribute of peacemaking in your life.
