The opening paragraphs about the Exodus is especially prescient knowing that Franklin and others at the Constitutional Convention used that story, and Israel in the OT, as a template for nation building. Check Ben Franklin’s idea for an early Great Seal.
This is a beautiful reminder of our divine commission to “build a community in which God can dwell.” To accomplish this, I think we must not only remember the vital contributions of those who preceded us but also learn from their mistakes. Sadly, as a Church, we do not have a strong legacy of peacebuilding when confronted with high conflict. Instead, our historical responses included forming militias and a paramilitary organization (Danites), engaging in repeated wars with Native Americans, and resorting to violent, bellicose rhetoric against our adversaries. Yet collectively, we give ourselves high marks as peacemakers.
I am not saying we should condemn those who were caught in unbelievably difficult and dangerous situations. However, we should take Moroni's invitation seriously and learn from them so we can do better. As President Kimball noted, the Saints are a “war-like people,” and he didn’t mean it as a compliment. Until we honestly confront our past and the ways we have worshiped, and continue to worship the false god of this world that rules by the aggressive use of force, I do not see how we can ever build the kind of community where God will dwell.
The opening paragraphs about the Exodus is especially prescient knowing that Franklin and others at the Constitutional Convention used that story, and Israel in the OT, as a template for nation building. Check Ben Franklin’s idea for an early Great Seal.
This is a beautiful reminder of our divine commission to “build a community in which God can dwell.” To accomplish this, I think we must not only remember the vital contributions of those who preceded us but also learn from their mistakes. Sadly, as a Church, we do not have a strong legacy of peacebuilding when confronted with high conflict. Instead, our historical responses included forming militias and a paramilitary organization (Danites), engaging in repeated wars with Native Americans, and resorting to violent, bellicose rhetoric against our adversaries. Yet collectively, we give ourselves high marks as peacemakers.
I am not saying we should condemn those who were caught in unbelievably difficult and dangerous situations. However, we should take Moroni's invitation seriously and learn from them so we can do better. As President Kimball noted, the Saints are a “war-like people,” and he didn’t mean it as a compliment. Until we honestly confront our past and the ways we have worshiped, and continue to worship the false god of this world that rules by the aggressive use of force, I do not see how we can ever build the kind of community where God will dwell.
Love this message!