Recent statements by President Russell M. Nelson and other church leaders offer insights into how to think about differences among people—and offer important guidance in thinking about racism through what President Nelson called a “journey of understanding and overcoming.”
Respect
We are also saddened when these assaults on human dignity lead to escalating violence and unrest.
The Creator of us all calls on each of us to abandon attitudes of prejudice against any group of God’s children. Any of us who has prejudice toward another race needs to repent!2
Brothers and sisters, please listen carefully to what I am about to say. God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. . . . Today, I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. . . . I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children.3
We also invite people of goodwill everywhere to look for ways to reach out and serve someone of a different background or race. Everyone can do something.
Prejudice, hate, and discrimination are learned. Thus, we call on parents, family members, and teachers to be the first line of defense. Teaching children to love all, and find the good in others, is more crucial than ever. Oneness is not sameness in America. We must all learn to value the differences.
We likewise call on government, business, and educational leaders at every level to review processes, laws, and organizational attitudes regarding racism and root them out once and for all. It is past time for every one of us to elevate our conversations above divisive and polarizing rhetoric. Treating others with respect matters. Treating each other as sons and daughters of God matters.4
Seeing Others
Understanding how God sees us prepares the way to help us see others as He does. Columnist David Brooks said: “Many of our society’s great problems flow from people not feeling seen and known. . . . [There is a] core . . . trait that we all have to get . . . better at[, and that] is the trait of seeing each other deeply and being deeply seen.”5
Jesus Christ sees people deeply. He sees individuals, their needs, and who they can become. Where others saw fishermen, sinners, or publicans, Jesus saw disciples; where others saw a
man possessed by devils, Jesus looked past the outward distress, acknowledged the man, and healed him.6
. . . I often ask myself two questions and pay attention to the impressions that come: “What am I doing that I should stop doing?” and “What am I not doing that I should start doing?”7, 8
Root Out Racism
“Racism thrives on hatred, oppression, collusion, passivity, indifference and silence.”9 As citizens and as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must do better to help root out racism. . . .
. . . [The United States] should be better in eliminating racism, not only against Black Americans, who were most visible in the recent protests, but also against Latinos, Asians, and other groups. This nation’s history of racism is not a happy one, and we must do better.
Simply stated, we strive to build bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation.
As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which we esteem as a scriptural companion to the Holy Bible, the Savior invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he [denies] none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (see 2 Nephi 26:33).
May I repeat that last phrase: “All are alike unto God.” You who are gathered here in this room strive to make this heavenly truth an earthly reality. I commend you for it. And yet we all realize that, as a society and as a country, we have not yet achieved the harmony and mutual respect that would allow every man and woman and every boy and girl to become the very best version of themselves.
The cure for what ails us was prescribed by the Master Healer, Jesus the Christ. When a taunting Pharisee challenged Him to identify the greatest commandment in the law, the Savior’s response was most memorable and brief. It was filled with truth that leads to a joyful life. His instruction was first to love God with all our hearts and, then, to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 22:35–39).11
Notes
1. Russell M. Nelson, Facebook post, 1 June 2020.
2. Nelson, Facebook post.
3. Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail,” Ensign, November 2020.
4. Joint statement by President Russell M. Nelson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO; Leon Russell, NAACP Chairman of the Board; and the Reverend Amos C. Brown, Chairman Emeritus of Religious Affairs, NAACP, 8 June 2020.
5. David Brooks, “Finding the Road to Character,” BYU forum address, 22 October 2019, speeches.byu.edu.
6. See Mark 5:1–15.
7. Kim B. Clark, “Encircled About with Fire,” Seminaries and Institutes of Religion broadcast, 4 August 2015, churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/satellite-training-broadcast/2015/08/encircled-about-with-fire.
8. Michelle D. Craig, “Eyes to See,” Ensign, October 2020.
9. Theresa A. Dear, “America’s Tipping Point: Seven Ways to Dismantle Racism,” Deseret News, 7 June 2020.
10. Dallin H. Oaks, “Love Your Enemies,” Ensign, November 2020.
11. Russell M. Nelson, “NAACP Convention Remarks,” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, 21 July 2019, newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/president-nelson-naacp-convention-remarks.