Peaceable Followers of Christ
Peaceable Followers of Christ
By Angela Halliday
When President Russell M. Nelson pleaded with all of us “to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life” in April, I thought easy, peasy. I’m not at war with anyone. I didn’t attack Ukraine. I’m not fighting with my neighbors. I love my family. This call is for people who are full of hate. It is indeed that. But after some deeper thought, some subsequent interactions with various people, and some prompting by the Spirit, I’ve realized how inspired the prophet’s call is.
We can all benefit from some soul-searching, repenting, and charity- pleading. It doesn’t take much looking, and anyone can find the rancor, the disarray, the mind-numbing hatred that pervades every corner of the earth today. It isn’t just on the news, social media, in politics or the school yard. Devastatingly, it is in family and friends’ text chains, it is in the interactions we have with other members of the Church in the course of our service in Church callings, it is in the spoken and unspoken expectations we have of ourselves and others, it is everywhere.
President Nelson pleaded,
“None of us can control nations or the actions of others or even members of our own families. But we can control ourselves. My call today, dear brothers and sisters, is to end conflicts that are raging in your heart, your home, and your life. Bury any and all inclinations to hurt others—whether those inclinations be a temper, a sharp tongue, or a resentment for someone who has hurt you. The Savior commanded us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who despitefully use us.
It can be painfully difficult to let go of anger that feels so justified. It can seem impossible to forgive those whose destructive actions have hurt the innocent. And yet, the Savior admonished us to ‘forgive all men.’
We are followers of the Prince of Peace. Now more than ever, we need the peace only He can bring. How can we expect peace to exist in the world when we are not individually seeking peace and harmony? Brothers and sisters, I know what I’m suggesting is not easy. But followers of Jesus Christ should set the example for all the world to follow. I plead with you to do all you can to end personal conflicts that are currently raging in your hearts and in your lives.”
In my recent study in the Book of Mormon, I have been reading in 3 Nephi. I’ve read this many times, but this time, something profoundly different struck me. Jesus Christ said, before He even appeared, that the people that were destroyed were those that destroyed “peace.” (3 Nephi 9:9) Those that caused contention were the ones wiped off the face of the earth. Then, the first thing He taught them when He appeared was how to baptize, and then He said, Don’t fight about it! (3 Nephi 11:22) And then, He said it again in verse 28. And He said in verse 27, that the Father, and He and the Holy Ghost are One.
And in verse 29, “he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.”
When I was 14, my friend Kim and I stayed with her grandparents for a fun summer vacation. They took us to do all sorts of great things. But too much time together took its toll, and we began to bicker a bit. Grandpa Gilman took out the Book of Mormon and had us memorize 3 Nephi 11:29. I’ve never forgotten it. My own kids have heard it time and time again during some not-so-peaceful moments.
Back to Jesus Christ’s teachings to the Nephites in 3 Nephi, He said “Be one” over and over. Don’t fight. Get along. Plead for charity. Prophets throughout time have taught the same. Without love, you are nothing (Moroni 7:46). Again and again. So, it must be pretty important.
We’ve all said and done things that are hurtful-intentional or not. We can repent. We can ask God to help us humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness. I’ve discovered that the sooner I ask, the easier it is. However, even if it’s a long time coming, it is better late than never. We can also ask God to help our hurt hearts be soothed when those around us have hurled pain our way, no matter their intent. I have to choose to see others the way God sees them, hoping to give them grace for where they are in their life, and accept that their actions toward me generally have nothing to do with me really.
Repent. Forgive. Love. Be one. End conflict. Be a peaceable follower of Christ. It’s the happy way. It’s God’s way. It’s the eternal way.
