Unified Living in a Divided World
President Nelson’s Clarion Call For Unity
The world is changing quickly, and many of us sense that big changes are coming. If you feel that way, too, you are not alone!
President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“LDS”), created quite a stir after CALLING FOR UNITY in his recently published article in the October 2024 issue of the Liahona magazine.
Many members of the Church have already noticed the article and commented.
President Nelson opened the article with this statement:
“We live in an age when a surging tide of discord and disputation is spreading across the globe. Aided by technology and abetted by people whose hearts have waxed cold, these divisive forces threaten to fill our hearts with contempt and corrupt our communication with contention. Communal ties are breaking. Wars are raging.
Against this backdrop, true followers of Jesus Christ yearn for peace and actively seek to build a different kind of society—one that is founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
A Message for the Entire World
In a world where headlines often highlight division and conflict, President Russell M. Nelson's teachings on unity offer a refreshing and necessary perspective for members of the LDS faith AND the world at large.
Drawing from his insights, particularly those inspired by the account in 4 Nephi of the Book of Mormon, we can find practical ways to foster unity and live our faith daily.
“15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.
18 And how blessed were they! For the Lord did bless them in all their doings; yea, even they were blessed and prospered until an hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.”
4 Nephi 1:15-18
How do we transform our society into the state of “surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God?”
In his article, President Nelson explores nine key areas we can focus on to build a better society and enjoy increased peace.
I will provide a high-level summary of President Nelson’s message in this post. The entire article is certainly worth reading if you choose. Here is a LINK.
For your convenience, below is my summary of President Nelson’s message and some added personal thoughts.
1. Deepening Personal Conversion
President Nelson emphasizes that unity begins with individual conversion to Jesus Christ.
Meditation is a great way to begin and end the day in any form you are comfortable with.
Setting aside just 15 minutes each morning for a short devotional, scripture study, and prayer can transform your outlook on life.
That quiet time is like putting on spiritual armor before facing the day, even in a world of discord, uncertain economies, and commotion.
In addition to morning reflection, one of my favorite wind down activities each evening is letting our ten-pound ginger Cockapoo go outside to “do her business” before bed. I am thrilled and humbled to look into the starlit sky each night and contemplate the mysteries of heaven.
In writing this post, it occurred to me that I find myself coaxing our sweet pup to “hurry up and go potty” each night when what I should do is slow down and encourage her to “Take your time, sweetie! I am enjoying the starlit view and my quiet time. No rush…”
Taking the time to find strengthened faith helps us maintain peace and perspective.
Change begins first within each of us.
2. Honoring Sacred Covenants
We are a covenant making people and strive to keep our covenants.
As President Nelson teaches, covenants give us a common cause and identity.
This principle was powerfully demonstrated during the 2023 wildfires in Maui. Local church members, honoring their covenants to serve one another, quickly organized to provide shelter, food, and comfort to those who lost everything, regardless of their faith background.
It seems that those yellow “Helping Hands” shirts are quick to appear whenever there is a need.
3. Promoting Fairness and Equality
President Nelson draws our attention to the equality and justice practiced in 4 Nephi. There were not “any manner of -ites; but they were in one.”
Debates around racial equity are raging. The dogma is often more divisive than helping gather us on common ground.
We can choose to ignore the noise and commit to doing the right thing.
For instance, if you are involved in hiring human resources for your company or personal business, you can implement blind hiring practices. I am intrigued by this idea.
If you aren’t familiar with blind hiring, it is a recruitment strategy that aims to reduce unconscious bias in the hiring process by removing or concealing certain identifying information about candidates. Key aspects include:
Anonymizing resumes by removing names, photos, ages, and other personal details.
Using skills-based assessments or work samples to evaluate candidates objectively.
Standardizing interview questions and evaluation criteria.
Using technology to mask voices or appearances during initial interviews.
Focusing solely on qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the job.
The goal is to make hiring decisions based purely on merit and job-related factors, increasing diversity and finding the best-qualified candidates regardless of background.
The idea is probably a little pollyannish and not practical in all cases. For instance, if a radio station is hiring a time-slotted talk show host, it would not be practical to interview candidates without hearing their on-air voices.
But, blind hiring as a concept aligns with the principle of promoting fairness by judging people based on their character and qualifications rather than external appearance.
Food for thought.
4. Helping the Poor and Needy
The commandment to care for the poor is central to President Nelson's message.
Have you heard the story of the JBJ Soul Kitchen in New Jersey?
JBJ Soul Kitchen was established by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. Bon Jovi said the restaurant was based on and built on community. It is a non-profit community restaurant that serves both paying customers and those in need. It features organic, healthy food in a warm and welcoming setting.
No prices are listed on the menu, and a donation of $20 for lunch or $30 for dinner is suggested for those who can pay. However, no patron is required to pay any amount, only “what you can,” even if that amount is zero. Opportunities to volunteer are also provided.
The “Pay-what-you-can” meal program is an inspiring example of the principle of having "all things common.”
5. Practicing Obedience to Divine Principles
President Nelson emphasizes the importance of following God's commandments, which can be challenging in an increasingly secular world.
Do you remember the story of the high school football coach who faced opposition for praying on the field after games? Despite the controversy, he stood firm in his conviction to express gratitude to God. But, his perseverance exemplified the courage to live one's beliefs openly.
Oh! By the way, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled he was within his constitutional rights to pray on the field after games. Thanks, coach, for paying the emotional and monetary price to establish that precedent!
6. Meeting Together to Foster a Sense of Community
In the wake of increased isolation due to the pandemic, neighborhoods across the country have revived the tradition of block parties, bringing together families from diverse backgrounds to foster understanding and friendship.
I have noticed a difference in the neighborhood where we live. Before the pandemic, kids were constantly outside playing after school, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Parents and friends strolled the streets on leisurely evening walks.
Now, individuals and families remained siloed in their homes even after restrictions were lifted. We have become accustomed to a quiet, private life sequestered within our walls and among our closest pack members.
My frame of reference is based only on my local observations. However, I have noticed that the neighborhoods where two of our sons live are much more active, so I have to wonder why and to what extent some areas are more siloed than others.
Hopefully, your neighborhood registers more on the positive side of the personal interactive scale.
Regardless, there are always opportunities to engage in “Intentional community-building.”
Now, anyone who knows my wife and I has probably scrunched up their face with a bout of deranged confusion when reading this post and is asking themselves, “Russell is suggesting we do what? Do you know that guy?”
As comfortable introverts, my wife and I are uneasy about being outwardly affable and chummy with strangers or casual acquaintances. Don’t get me wrong, though. We truly love people and enjoy watching them happily interact with each other from a distance. We simply enjoy our own company together and that of family members.
But, after reading President Nelson’s counsel, we have agreed to take the leap and make the effort to intentionally get out more, be more social, and build some new relationships.
Building the kind of community mentioned in 4 Nephi depends on each of us doing just a little bit more.
7. Cultivating Love
President Nelson describes love as the "grand key" to unity. This principle was beautifully illustrated in a viral news video from 2023, where a group of students rallied around their classmate with Down syndrome who was being bullied.
I can only speculate how the act of love and inclusion of those high school kids decreased bullying and transformed the school's culture.
“True friends don’t count chromosomes.”
8. Emphasizing Divine Identity
In 4 Nephi, people saw themselves primarily as "children of Christ."
This principle can be applied even in secular settings. For example, as a teacher in a classroom setting, you can start your lesson by having students share one positive attribute about themselves or a classmate, reinforcing the idea of inherent worth beyond grades or popularity.
9. Bridge Divides and Become One
While not explicitly mentioned in 4 Nephi, bridging divides is a natural extension of President Nelson's teachings on unity. These events focused on finding common ground and understanding different perspectives, embodying the spirit of unity President Nelson advocates for.
In a time of political polarization and social commotion, relearning how to get along, mingle, and build or rebuild meaningful relationships is a big deal.
Have you heard of “The Listen First Project?”
It is a nonpartisan initiative designed to bridge divides and promote understanding through the simple yet powerful act of listening.
The Listen First Project focuses on transforming contentious or polarized dialogue into constructive conversations by building relationships across different perspectives. It promotes active listening as a way to overcome toxic division and increase social cohesion in families, communities, and the broader society.
You get the concept. Search “The Listen First Project” in your favorite browser to learn more.
We could also benefit from revitalizing the seemingly lost skill of statesmanship. The Art of Manliness defines four critical qualities of a statesman:
A bedrock of principles
A moral compass
A vision
The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision
In essence, now is the time to relearn how to get along, mingle, and build or rebuild meaningful relationships.
“Together, it starts with us.”
Parting Thoughts
President Nelson's teachings on unity are not just lofty ideals but practical principles that can transform our communities and personal lives.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let us remember President Nelson's call to be "one" in Christ. By implementing these principles in our daily lives, we can create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond ourselves. In a world that often seems irreparably divided, these actions can help us build the kind of society described in 4 Nephi – one characterized by love, equality, and harmony.
That is how we accentuate the business of gathering Israel and building Zion so we have something worthwhile to present to the Savior when He returns.
We all know what that means: to be nice and do the right thing.
This article by President Nelson defines the core purpose of what we are working toward in our Latter-day Voices Community and The Fifty-two Seven Alliance.
We can do a lot together if enough of us do a little.
Thanks for reading and pondering with me!
Russell Anderson
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P.S. I appreciate and respect your investment of precious time in reading my work! I strive to provide thought-worthy content that generates a worthwhile return on your investment.
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