SALT LAKE CITY – Mormons should strive for unity at home, in the church and with those whose backgrounds and opinions differ from Latter-day Saints, a senior church leader said.
Henry B. Eyring, the senior counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said at the faith’s semiannual General Conference that the divisions that come with increased conflict between people around the world could “infect” Mormons.
Eyring said the path to unity is through faith, humility, prayer and service to God. Eyring also said Mormons can be peacemakers in times of conflict by looking for common ground.
“The great peacemakers, the restorer of unity, is one who finds a way to help people see that shared truth,” he said.
The General Conference draws more than 100,000 people to the church’s downtown Salt Lake City conference center and is broadcast live to millions more by satellite and over the Internet.
Apostle Robert D. Hales also touched on critiques of Mormonism by other faiths.
“More regrettable than the church being accused of not being Christian is when church members react to such accusations in an un-Christlike way,” Hales said. “Surely our Heavenly Father is saddened – and the devil laughs – when we contentiously debate doctrinal differences with our Christian neighbors.”
He said that sometimes the best response is to say nothing at all.
“Meekness is not weakness,” Hales said. “It is a badge of Christian courage.”
Associated Press – October 9, 2008
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted October 9, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Yet more words of wisdom from the hierarchy of the LDS church.
And most important in that is not to fly off the handle when folks accuse your church of being an un-Christian group. Wouldn’t want to displease “Heavenly Father.”
posted October 12, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Just read this article above and it is the “same old, same old”. Don’t discuss; go against the rules of the Church, because the devil is using you and it’s best to be silent than cause dissention among the members. The only result that will ensue is that the “same old, same old,” will continue and the Prophets of the church will just sail along while the paying members continue to be unhappy, and throw their children to the streets because they are gay and want to marry. Incidently they have ponied up 8 million dollars to put, they hope, Prop. 8 under. Still can’t understand why all this is necessary with the Churches, because our Constitution says we are all equal. Our government owes the GLBT to see that the Constitution is carried out equally. The Churches should have nothing to do with this matter.