End Hate
Several years ago, our family took a trip to Washington, D.C. One of the stops on our tour of the National Mall was the Holocaust Museum. The theme of this museum is “All Lives Matter”. Years later, I heard a radio host argue that “All Lives Matter” should be considered hate speech. This statement caused me to reflect on the countless displays we saw as we toured the Holocaust Museum.
There was a poem by Moses Schulstein near a display that read:
“We are the shoes, we are the last witnesses.
We are shoes from grandchildren and grandfathers
From Prague, Paris, and Amsterdam,
And because we are only made of fabric and leather
And not of blood and flesh, each one of us avoided the hellfire.”
It is difficult for me to fathom how a society could fall so far in modern times. Yet the patterns of evil have repeated since the first children of Adam and Eve walked the earth. Someone once said that we should learn from history so that we do not repeat it. We have not learned.
For this reason, I believe God prepared the Book of Mormon for our time. In its pages, we follow a society for 1,000 years. We learn that when we follow God and keep His commandments, we are blessed with peace and prosperity. When we do not, evil reigns and people suffer and die.
And in despair
On December 25, 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whose son, Charles, fought in the American Civil War, penned the poem, “Christmas Bells.” This poem was later revised and became the Christmas hymn, “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” In that poem, Longfellow wrote:
And in despair, I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”
The poem, written before the conclusion of the Civil War, carries one’s thoughts to a father in earnest prayer. His prayer is not just for his son, but for all families who have had to endure such a conflict. Whether there would be peace on earth, goodwill to men, was yet to be decided. But, in despair, Longfellow pens his fear that hate will win out over peace.
I feel quite the same despair this week, as two gruesome and tragic murders have occurred. A young, Ukrainian-born woman was stabbed to death on a subway for no reason other than location and opportunity. And, even worse, a young man was shot in the throat for openly sharing his beliefs and opinions on a college campus in Utah.
Hate is strong
Five years ago, President Dallin H. Oaks said, “We live in a time of anger and hatred in political relationships and policies. We felt it this summer when some went beyond peaceful protests and engaged in destructive behavior. We feel it in some current campaigns for public offices. Unfortunately, some of this has even spilled over into political statements and unkind references in our Church meetings.
In a democratic government, we will always have differences over proposed candidates and policies. However, as followers of Christ, we must forgo the anger and hatred with which political choices are debated or denounced in many settings.”
In Matthew 5:43-44, the Savior taught, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”.
WE must be the light and the hope
The foundational principles upon which our society was founded are under attack. As disciples of Christ, we must not fan the flames of hatred in any form, whether in person or online. We must not promote violence or let anger feed our speech or digital posts, regardless of politics, economic status, gender identity, or any other divisive thought patterns we may have. If we entertain such thoughts or actions, then we must repent and seek the peace that only the Savior can bring.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9)
Longfellow’s final stanza, written from a heart filled with hope, proclaims that God is in control, and though wars will be fought, and hate will be strong, in the end, the right will prevail, and peace will return.
“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”
There is light in this world of darkness, and it resides in the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that in Matthew 5:14, 16, the Lord says: “Ye are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Put on the armor of God my friends. Fight hatred by reflecting THE Light of the World, even Jesus Christ, our master. The world needs you!
