HOUSE OF LEARNING
Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
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To Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the LDS movement, God’s truth was eclectic and ever expanding. It was revealed to humanity through the power of revelation. While Smith confided the mysteries of the Kingdom to his followers, he also warned them that they were only receiving a small part of what he knew. This meant that the “one and only true Church on earth” would be a truth-seeking Church able to incorporate new truths into its theological and theoretical frameworks. Brigham Young told his followers: “Mormonism” so-called, embraces every principle pertaining to life and salvation for time and eternity. No matter who has it. If the infidel has got truth it belongs to “Mormonism.” The truth and sound doctrine possessed by the sectarian world, and they have a great deal, all belong to this church”.
It takes courage to step out of your comfort zion and start studying, learning and challenging preconceptions of what Mormonism is and what it isn’t. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous Mormons. Challenge yourself. Read something new. Take the first step. Learn!
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Martin Luther King’s Nonviolence Step 2: Educate Others
Armed with your new knowledge, it is your duty to help those around you, such as your neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers, better understand the problems facing society. Build a team of people devoted to finding solutions. Be sure to include those who will be directly affected by your work.
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What is Latter-day Satyagraha?
Joseph Smith, jr., the founder of the LDS movement, once said, ‘I calculate to be one of the instruments of setting up the kingdom [foreseen by] Daniel, and I intend to lay a foundation that will revolutionize the whole world. It will not be by sword or gun that this kingdom will roll on: the power of truth is such that all nations will be under the necessity of obeying the Gospel.’ The Dalai Lama explains that “The Tibetan struggle is the competition between the power of truth and the power of gun. The power of truth will always remain. The power of gun, the power of force in the long run becomes weaker and… read more
- The Power of Truth (Leo Tolstoy, 1894)
- Towards a Shared Theology of Nonviolence
- Children of Light, Children of Day (theophiliacs.com)
- Gandhi – the philosophy of nonviolence (video)
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Study Peace with the Book of Mormon
Much of the Book of Mormon deals with military conflict. It teaches that war is a result of iniquity. Eighty-five instances of armed conflict can be identified in the Book of Mormon. Causes of war varied, and alliances shifted accordingly. “Latter-day Satyagraha” is undertaking to study peace – and not war – with the Book of Mormon through the relatively new field of Peace Studies, asking the fundamental question: will humanity ever find a way to settle its differences without resorting to the violence of war? The study of the Book of Mormon follows the 52 chapters of the Institute manual and provides… read more
- The Book of Mormon: An Anti-War Document
- Is the Book of Mormon anti-war at its core? (Salt Lake Tribune)
- The Book of Mormon: the Great Purveyor of the Savior’s Peace (lds.org)
- Answers to Adam’s Questions: Justice and Charity Intertwined
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The War in Heaven – Mormon Conflictology
In addressing the invasion of Iraq, Gordon B. Hinckley said the following: “The nations of the earth have been divided over the present situation. Feelings have run strong. There have been demonstrations for and against. We are now a world Church with members in most of the nations which have argued this matter. Our people have had feelings. They have had concerns. War, of course, is not new. The weapons change. The ability to kill and destroy is constantly refined. But there has been conflict throughout the ages over essentially the same issues. The book of Revelation speaks briefly of what must have been a terrible conflict for the minds and loyalties of God’s children”.
- A Lost and Fallen People – Mormon Conflictology Continued
- Weapons in the War in Heaven
- Triple Evils: Racism, Extreme Materialism and Militarism
- Greatest Forces in the World
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Mormons, Jesus and the Peace Symbol
One of the most widely known symbols in the world, the peace symbol is recognised in Britain as standing for nuclear disarmament – and in particular as the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). In the United States and much of the rest of the world it is known more broadly as the peace symbol. It was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist and a graduate of the Royal College of Arts.
- No More Studying War in Utah
- Man Down: Teaching the Restored Gospel through Peaceful Analogies
- Teach LDS Children Peace
- It’s nice to do something for your neighbors (LDS church video)
- Let there be Peace on Earth… (Music and Spoken Word)
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Mormonism and Psychology: a Broader Vision for Peace
Psychologists have long been interested in peace and conflicts, and have made important contributions to society’s understandings of war and peace. A small but growing number of psychologists have become involved in the peace movement in many ways, ranging from educational efforts to acts of civil disobedience. In this article Michael Nielsen describes points of intersection between peace psychology and Mormon culture and thought. While there are significant areas of consonance between peace psychologists and Latter-day Saints, the two are at opposite ends of the socio-political spectrum.
