The Savior’s teaching to love our enemies is based on the reality that all mortals are beloved children of God. 10 In a democratic society we always have the opportunity and the duty to persist peacefully until the next election. We will not participate in the violence threatened by those disappointed with the outcome. It also means that we peacefully accept the results of elections. It means that we obey the current law and use peaceful means to change it. This does not mean that we agree with all that is done with the force of law. “Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be” ( Doctrine and Covenants 58:21–22).Īnd our article of faith, written by the Prophet Joseph Smith after the early Saints had suffered severe persecution from Missouri officials, declares, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” ( Articles of Faith 1:12). “Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Though Jesus’s teachings were revolutionary, He did not teach revolution or lawbreaking. Nelson has urged us to “expand our circle of love to embrace the whole human family.” 9Īn essential part of loving our enemies is to render unto Caesar by keeping the laws of our various countries. … It encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, or culture.” 8Īnd President Russell M. … It has no place for bigotry, hatred, or violence. Hunter taught: “The world in which we live would benefit greatly if men and women everywhere would exercise the pure love of Christ, which is kind, meek, and lowly. Let us pour forth love-show forth our kindness unto all mankind.” 7 The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “it is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Here are three of many prophetic teachings about this. 6Īn even greater help in learning to love our adversaries and our enemies is to seek to understand the power of love. In countless circumstances, strangers’ suspicion or even hostility give way to friendship or even love when personal contacts produce understanding and mutual respect. When we are trying to understand and relate to people of a different culture, we should try getting to know them. It also helps if we are even willing to learn from them.Īmong other ways to develop the power to love others is the simple method described in a long-ago musical. We move toward loving our adversaries when we avoid anger and hostility toward those with whom we disagree. It is our choice.” 5 Anger is the way to division and enmity. Monson taught that anger is “Satan’s tool,” for “to be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. He promotes enmity and hateful relationships among individuals and within groups. The devil is the father of contention, and it is he who tempts men to contend with anger. The Savior’s teaching not to “contend with anger” is a good first step. But how do we do this-especially how do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies? So, we are to follow the laws of men (render unto Caesar) to live peacefully under civil authority, and we follow the laws of God toward our eternal destination. When adversaries sought to trap Him with a question about whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome, He pointed to the image of Caesar on their coins and declared, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” ( Luke 20:25). How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to the laws of man? Fortunately, we have the Savior’s own example of how to balance His eternal laws with the practicalities of man-made laws. And it must be possible, for He also taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find” ( Matthew 7:7). Hinckley observed, adding, “It requires a self-discipline almost greater than we are capable of.” 2 But it must be essential, for it is part of the Savior’s two great commandments to “love the Lord thy God” and to “love thy neighbour as thyself” ( Matthew 22:37, 39). “Most of us have not reached that stage of … love and forgiveness,” President Gordon B. Loving our enemies and our adversaries is not easy. In the Book of Mormon we read, “For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” ( 3 Nephi 11:29). What revolutionary teachings for personal and political relationships! But that is still what our Savior commands.
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