Blessed are the Peacemakers

Elder Robert H Simpson

Area Seventy

In His Sermon on the Mount, the Saviour declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God”. ¹ Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute, which we need to develop in our lives to be like Him. But what does it mean to be a peacemaker? There are many ways, but here, we will discuss just three.

Firstly, we can establish peace in our communities by loving those around us and treating those with kindness who would hurt or take advantage of us. Elisha demonstrated this principle when the King of Syria sent his armies to capture him. ² They surrounded the city by night and when Elisha’s young servant arose in the morning, he beheld the host of horses and chariots. Turning to Elisha he said, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?

“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” ³

Elisha asked the Lord to open the eyes of his servant, and the young man saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. He now understood that Elisha had power over the armies of the King of Syria, but how was he going to use that power?

Elisha prayed again and asked the Lord to smite his enemies with blindness. In this hopeless condition, Elisha led them down into Samaria, surrounded them with the armies of Israel, and asked the Lord to open their eyes again. The King of Israel then turned to Elisha and asked, “Shall I smite them?” ⁴

Now, how was Elisha to respond? These were his enemies who had come down to carry him away and to do him harm. How would or do we respond when we find ourselves in a position to pay back or to cause harm to someone who has offended, taken advantage of, or has harmed us in some way?

Elisha quietly and humbly said no and instructed the King to “set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” ⁵ In addition, he prepared great provisions for them to take to the King of Syria. The story concludes with these simple, yet powerful words: “So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.” ⁶ Elisha’s simple act of kindness established peace after many years of war.

In Proverbs, we learn that “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” ⁷ . May we truly be peacemakers by treating all people with love and kindness despite how they may treat us.

Secondly, another way we can be a peacemaker is to find or make peace for ourselves through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To His disciples He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ⁸

As we come unto Christ, repent of our sins, keep His commandments and do the works of righteousness, we shall receive our reward, “even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” ⁹ In this sense we become peacemakers as we truly seek Him who is the Prince of Peace.

Thirdly, we can be a peacemaker as we publish peace to the world. After Abinadi had prophesied the destruction of the people and the death of King Noah if they did not repent, one of the false priests asked Abinadi an interesting question saying, “What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth?” ¹⁰

The priest was trying to justify their actions and was questioning Abinadi’s preaching of destruction, rather than publishing peace as he understood it. He did not understand the true meaning of publishing peace. Abinadi began to answer his question by teaching the ten commandments and the law of Moses. He taught of the coming of the Messiah to atone for the sins of the world, how He becomes both the Father and the Son, standing betwixt His seed and the demands of justice.

Abinadi taught that they who are the seed of Christ are all the holy prophets who have testified of the coming of Christ, and those who have hearkened unto their words. He taught that all those who have prophesied of these things are those “who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!

“And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!

“And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!

“And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!” ¹¹

This Easter season, may we truly seek to be peacemakers by establishing peace in our communities, finding peace for ourselves through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and publishing peace to the world as we love, share, and invite all to come unto Christ.