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
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