“Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker,” For the Strength of Youth, May 2022.
Saturday Morning Session
Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker
Excerpts
The Lord taught how to live, then and now, in a contemptuous world. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” He declared, “for they shall be called the children of God” [Matthew 5:9]. …
How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction, but always void of anger or malice. …
What gives us the inner strength to cool, calm, and quench the fiery darts aimed toward the truths we love? The strength comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and our faith in His words. …
Although our humble desire is for the Savior’s teachings to be honored by all, the words of the Lord through His prophets are often contrary to the thinking and trends of the world. It has always been so. …
We genuinely love and care for all our neighbors, whether or not they believe as we do. …
… There are times when being a peacemaker means that we resist the impulse to respond and instead, with dignity, remain quiet. …
… Sadly, not all will remain firm in their love for the Savior and their determination to keep His commandments. …
We too can move away from contention and bless the lives of others while not isolating ourselves in our own corner. …
May we love Him and love one another. May we be peacemakers, that we may be called the “children of God.”