Love One Another

Elder Andersen spoke about being a peacemaker in the most recent general conference. Of the examples he gave, the one that stood out to me was this one about the Church’s efforts to help a group in Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He recounted, “Some time ago, Kathy and I attended a very special Church service in Mbuji-Mayi. The children were dressed immaculately, with bright eyes and big smiles. I had hoped to speak to them about their education but learned that many were not attending school. Our leaders, with very nominal humanitarian funds, found a way to help. Now, more than 400 students—girls and boys, members as well as those not of our faith—are welcomed and taught by 16 teachers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ.” He quoted one girl who commented, “Some time ago, Kathy and I attended a very special Church service in Mbuji-Mayi. The children were dressed immaculately, with bright eyes and big smiles. I had hoped to speak to them about their education but learned that many were not attending school. Our leaders, with very nominal humanitarian funds, found a way to help. Now, more than 400 students—girls and boys, members as well as those not of our faith—are welcomed and taught by 16 teachers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ.” In the footnotes he also quoted a parent who said, “I love this program because it has provided my daughter … the chance to … learn to read and write and hope for a better future. I could not send her to school because I am just selling corn flour in the market earning … enough only for food. I greatly thank the Church for this.” To me this is the essence of being a peacemaker because it aims to get at the root of the problems of conflict we have today: lack of education and misinformation. By helping educate these children, we are enabling them to be productive and influential citizens with knowledge.

                One of the organizations that I admire the most here in Utah is One Refugee, a non-profit founded by the Boyer Company in 2014 meant to help young adults from a refugee background by providing financial assistance for their education. That is, I believe, at the core of what it means to be a peacemaker—we seek to bless others regardless of race, religion, or nationality. We seek not only to lift people out of their problems but help them to be able to help themselves and eventually others. As Elder Andersen remarked, “We too can move away from contention and bless the lives of others while not isolating ourselves in our own corner.” The Prophet Joseph Smith made this famous statement: “Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” As we seek to overcome the hate and contention that surround us, we can ignore the vitriol and negativity and focus on spreading the love of the Savior to uplift and enable the children of God. After showing the apostles that He was willing to even wash their feet, the Savior gave this timeless invitation: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you…. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). Let the world pass judgment and throw insults and wallow in negativity, but we can do much better by seeking to love and bless all of God’s children like Kalanga Muya. The mayor of Mbuji-Mayi commented, “I am inspired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because while [others] are being divided each one in his corner … [you are working] with [others] to help the community in need.” May we all seek to live up to that compliment and bless the lives of any we can in our small sphere of influence.