The present hostility in public dialogue and on social media is alarming, said President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints earlier this year.
“Hateful words are deadly weapons. Contention prevents the Holy Ghost from being our constant companion.
“As followers of Jesus Christ,” he continued, “we should lead the way as peacemakers.”
Much like this, President Nelson has repeatedly called on church members and friends, over the course of his seven-year tenure as prophet, to abandon anger and instead seek building bridges of peace and understanding.
“A century of experience has taught me this with certainty,” he wrote in an Ideas piece recently published by Time magazine, “anger never persuades, hostility never heals and contention never leads to lasting solutions.”
With only slight variations, President Nelson has twice stated these same ideas from the pulpit of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, saying:
“Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”
Yet if anger, hostility and contention aren’t the answer, then what is? And how can individuals worldwide “lead the way as peacemakers” in their hearts, homes and communities?
11 quotes from President Nelson listed below offer some guidance and counsel.
1. Cultivate charity, the ‘antidote to contention’
“Charity is the antidote to contention. Charity is the spiritual gift that helps us to cast off the natural man, who is selfish, defensive, prideful and jealous. Charity is the principal characteristic of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Charity defines a peacemaker.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
2. Search the ‘gospel of peace’
“The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today. Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace. His gospel is a gospel of peace.”
— “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” April 2022 general conference
3. End the conflicts ‘raging in your heart’
“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 Power of Spiritual Momentum,” April 2022 general conference
4. Remember Jesus Christ
“In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I invite you to remember Jesus Christ. Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would. As we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
5. Choose peace, ‘now and always’
“Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
6. Build, lift and encourage
“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people. … True disciples (of Jesus Christ) build, lift, encourage, persuade and inspire — no matter how difficult the situation.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
7. Model managing differences of opinion
“Brothers and sisters, we can literally change the world — one person and one interaction at a time. How? By modeling how to manage honest differences of opinion with mutual respect and dignified dialogue.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
8. Plead for ‘peaceful resolutions’
“As followers of Jesus Christ, we plead with leaders of nations to find peaceful resolutions to their differences. We call upon people everywhere to pray for those in need, to do what they can to help the distressed and to seek the Lord’s help in ending any major conflicts.”
— “Preaching the Gospel of Peace,” April 2022 general conference
9. Be a light
“Let us as a people become a true light on the hill — a light that ‘cannot be hid.’ Let us show that there is a peaceful, respectful way to resolve complex issues and an enlightened way to work out disagreements. As you demonstrate the charity that true followers of Jesus Christ manifest, the Lord will magnify your efforts beyond your loftiest imagination.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
10. ‘Look deeply into your heart’
“At this point you may be thinking that this message would really help someone you know. … 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.”
— “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023 general conference
11. Extend love to all
“We don’t have to be alike or look alike to have love for each other. We don’t even have to agree with each other to love each other. If we have any hope of reclaiming the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we yearn, it must begin with each of us, one person at a time.”
— NAACP Convention remarks, July 2019