SALT LAKE CITY — In a time of intense disagreement and political gridlock, believers in Jesus Christ should “avoid conflict” and build peace, a top Latter-day Saint leader said Saturday.
During the first session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the church’s First Presidency, spoke of “harsh and hurtful words” that often arise from disagreements. criticized. regarding political issues.
“We need to love and do good to all people,” President Oaks said. “We need to avoid conflict and build peace in all our communications. This does not mean undermining our principles and priorities, but rather being harsh on others for the sake of our principles and priorities. It means stop attacking.”
His remarks came at a time of intense U.S. politics, with just a month left until the presidential election. President Oaks, 92, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, did not mention specific candidates or issues, but he lamented the “hostility” that often arises in “public and private relationships” surrounding politics.
“This atmosphere of hostility can even paralyze our ability to legislate on important issues where most citizens believe that some action is urgently needed in the public interest,” he said.
President Oaks said the teachings on avoiding conflict come from Jesus Christ and that the lessons “clearly apply to communication and relationships in politics, public policy, and family relationships.”
A recent Pew Research Center study found that Republicans and Democrats are more ideologically divided today than at any time in the past 20 years. The same goes for “partisan hostility,” with most “committed partisans believing that the policies of their opponents are so misguided that they threaten the well-being of the nation,” the study found.
President Oaks said, “Let us qualify ourselves for God’s blessings by using the words and methods of peacemakers as we pursue our preferred policies in public action.” “Avoid harsh and hateful relationships in your family and other personal relationships.”
This weekend’s general conference will have five sessions, ending on Sunday afternoon. President Russell M. Nelson, a leader of the world’s faith who recently turned 100 years old, watched Saturday morning’s proceedings from his home. However, he attended Saturday afternoon’s session in person at the conference center.
In addition to President Oaks, attendees heard from other Church leaders, including Elders Neil L. Andersen and Elder Dale G. Renlund, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and President Emily Bell Freeman, Young Women general president. I heard.
