095 “Peace on Earth”—How Can We Help? An Interview with Patrick Mason
Dec 24, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Patrick Mason, a Latter-day Saint historian and peace studies scholar, sheds light on the intricate relationship between peace and violence in Latter-day Saint history. He explores how personal and community efforts can promote goodwill, especially during the holiday season. Reflecting on the Book of Mormon, he emphasizes the role of love and understanding over aggression. Notably, he shares insights from Rwanda's reconciliation efforts, illustrating the profound power of forgiveness and hope in healing communities post-conflict.
The podcast emphasizes the Latter-day Saints' multifaceted history with violence, recognizing their roles as victims, defenders, and aggressors.
Patrick Mason discusses the theological complexities of peace and violence, stressing that individual choices shape the pathway towards peacemaking.
Listeners are encouraged to apply nonviolent principles in their communities by engaging with scriptures and participating in social justice initiatives.
Deep dives
Focus on the Doctrine and Covenants
In 2025, there will be a deep exploration of the Doctrine and Covenants, which is significant in the Latter-day Saint faith. This initiative aligns with the church’s current emphasis on studying this foundational text, prompting a closer examination of the historical context and controversies surrounding each section. The discussions will not only cover the revelations but also their impact on the church's trajectory. This approach reflects the hosts' desire to engage listeners and provide valuable insights for those involved in church education.
Peace and Violence in Latter-day Saint History
The podcast delves into the complex relationship between peace and violence in Latter-day Saint history. It discusses how church members have been victims, defenders, and even perpetrators of violence throughout their past. This acknowledgment of a lack of a perfect record sets the stage for exploring how individuals can actively contribute to peace in their lives and communities. The emphasis is on finding a theological basis for peacemaking within the Latter-day Saint perspective.
Insights from Patrick Mason
Patrick Mason’s contributions as a historian and expert in peace studies play a crucial role in the discussion. He highlights the need for Latter-day Saints to grapple with the inherent complexities of peace and violence within their religious tradition. Mason emphasizes that both peace and violence can be justified through religious texts, but it is ultimately the choice of practitioners that determines the path taken. This duality underlines the importance of actively choosing to follow teachings that promote peace.
The Role of Nonviolence in Conflict Resolution
Nonviolence is presented as a powerful means of actively resisting evil while avoiding the cycles of violence that can ensue from traditional confrontational approaches. The success of peaceful movements, such as the Civil Rights Movement and Indian independence, reinforces the effectiveness of nonviolence as a strategy for social change. The narrative includes reflections on how personal sacrifice and a commitment to peacemaking can yield more successful outcomes than violent measures. This perspective underscores the importance of developing skills in nonviolent communication and action.
Practical Steps Toward Becoming Peacemakers
Latter-day Saints are encouraged to take practical steps toward becoming peacemakers in their communities. This includes engaging with the scriptures to extract principles of peace and seeking involvement in local organizations that promote social justice and healing. The discussion highlights examples from Rwanda, where reconciliation efforts between former enemies have shown that healing is possible after severe trauma. Ultimately, the call is to embody the teachings of the Prince of Peace in daily interactions, fostering peace at individual and community levels.
Throughout this series on Peace and Violence in Latter-day Saint History, we’ve looked at how Church members have been the victims of violence, how they’ve engaged in defensive violence, and how they’ve even been the aggressors and perpetrators of inexcusable violence.
In this episode of Church History Matters we sit down with our friend Patrick Mason, a Latter-day Saint historian, scholar on peace studies, and author of several books on violence and peace in Latter-day Saint history. We take a step back and think deeply about how each of us can more intentionally participate in bringing peace on earth and good will to all.