Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday morning session of April 2022 general conference. He taught what it means to be a peacemaker. The following is a summary of what he said.
“Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.”
“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.”
“We, too, can move away from contention and bless the lives of others, while not isolating ourselves in our own corner.”
In this day of “commotion, contention and, for many, deep suffering,” it is necessary that “we become peacemakers.”
Technology enables individual opinions to spread quickly regardless of their truthfulness, fairness or kindness. The Savior taught in the Sermon on the Mount how to survive “in a contemptuous world.”
“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.”
“Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.”
The existence of moral agency and the opposition that comes with agency are two principles that guide the desire to be peacemakers.
“[W]e choose the path of peacemakers.”
“Jesus taught us in the parable of the good Samaritan that those of different beliefs should sincerely reach out to help everyone in need, being peacemakers, pursuing good and noble causes.”
At times, keeping quiet instead of reacting impulsively is the sign of a peacemaker. Sometimes, the action needed is one of serving others, not reacting to an antagonist.
“May we love Him, and love one another. May we be peacemakers, that we may be called the ‘children of God.’”
