Proclaim Peace

The hosts dive into the Old Testament as a treasure trove of peacemaking wisdom. They discuss how conflict is an unavoidable part of life, requiring our active engagement. The conversation highlights the duality of human nature, acknowledging our struggles while celebrating God's unwavering support. There's an uplifting message about community collaboration fostering peace and the importance of maintaining hope amidst challenges. Embracing these lessons offers a path to redemption and a return to our best selves.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Proclaim Peace podcast, where hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason will read through the Old Testament through the lens of peacemakers. Join us with special guests to discover what we can learn about how to follow Jesus Christ's example of being a peacemaker from the oldest stories in the Bible.For full show notes and transcripts, visit https://proclaimpeace.org

Paul Lambert, Director of the Religion Initiative at the Wheatley Institute, dives into the importance of peacemaking and interfaith engagement. He discusses how Latter-day Saints can uniquely promote unity amidst division, emphasizing the public benefits of lived religion. Paul shares practical strategies for responding to conflict, advocating for respectful dialogue, and the power of shared definitions to create common ground. He highlights the significance of interfaith work for enhancing society and the personal peace found through communion with God.

Aaron Dorfman, founder of A More Perfect Union and advocate for Jewish community engagement, dives into the intricacies of being a religious minority. He discusses how the Jewish experience can inform responses to challenges faced by Latter-day Saints. Emphasizing solidarity, he argues that standing up for one another protects communities. The conversation touches on countering antisemitism through media literacy and the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, or repairing the world. Dorfman also highlights the importance of Shabbat dinner as a source of personal peace.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Nealin Parker, inaugural executive director of Common Ground USA, shares her journey from a conflicted upbringing to becoming a leading voice in conflict resolution. She emphasizes the importance of gentleness amid tragedy and suggests ways to transform fear into connection. Nealin discusses the long-lasting impact of violence on communities and encourages embracing compassion and gratitude in difficult times. Listeners gain valuable insights into finding peace and resilience through community support and shared stories.

In this special live recording of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hostJennifer Thomas is joined by repeat guest Chad Ford to discuss the impact of recent events on their community and the importance of fostering peace amid fear and conflict. Chad shares insights from his research on conflict mediation, emphasizing how fear can hinder collaboration and peace-building. The conversation highlights the significance of showing up for one another in challenging times and encourages listeners to create supportive spaces as they navigate their own concerns and emotions. Join them for a heartfelt dialogue aimed at uplifting and empowering individuals to become better peacemakers. This episode was recorded with a live audience on 9/18/25 at the Compass Gallery in Provo, UT.[00:02:29] Seeds of non-fear.[00:06:00] Forgiveness and peacemaking challenges.[00:10:00] Conflict resolution through love.[00:14:30] Jesus' message of peace.[00:17:44] Transformational call to action.[00:21:17] Managing fear and suffering.[00:24:39] Accepting differences in relationships.[00:30:33] Resistance to calls for peace.[00:32:40] Trauma and its impact.[00:39:14] Transformation through love and growth.[00:42:05] The power of meekness.[00:45:34] Changing input for peacemaking.[00:52:13] Peacemaking amidst fear and anger.[00:55:16] Alleviating suffering through understanding.Find the transcript and full show notes at https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/proclaim-peace

In this bonus episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, host Jennifer Thomas explores the challenges of political engagement in the face of slow or no change. Jennifer shares her conversation with Julie Rose on the Uncomfy podcast, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in peacemaking. The discussion highlights how discomfort is often a necessary part of fostering understanding and building relationships that contribute to a beloved community. Listeners are encouraged to embrace uncomfortable conversations and stay engaged, as the long-term rewards of peacemaking far outweigh the short-term discomfort. Join Jennifer as she reflects on these themes and offers practical advice for navigating challenging interactions.[00:02:46] Advocacy outside comfort zones.[00:05:21] Women of faith in politics.[00:09:05] Peacefully expressing anger effectively.[00:10:17] Channeling anger to action.[00:14:51] Advocacy as a long game.[00:18:24] Politics and instant gratification.[00:21:42] Finding purpose and joy.See full show notes from the Uncomfy podcast episode here: https://www.byuradio.org/how-to-stay-politically-engaged-when-you-feel-like-giving-up-jennifer-walker-thomasWatch this episode from Uncomfy on BYU Radio’s YouTube channel here.For transcript, visit https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/proclaim-peace

In the final episode of Season 1 of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon and the principles of the gospel that promote peacebuilding. Join them as they celebrate their journey and the pursuit of becoming better peacemakers.[00:02:45] Podcast origins and purpose.[00:04:40] Peacemaking through sacred texts.[00:08:44] Commitment to peace building.[00:13:03] Mormon peacebuilding potential.[00:16:10] Peacemakers in times of chaos.[00:22:22] Turning swords into plowshares.[00:27:29] Peacemaking as a miracle.[00:28:32] Peacemaking and miracles.[00:33:15] Handbook for peace.For full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/proclaim-peace

Scott Rasmussen, Director of Democracy Initiatives at Interfaith America and a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer, shares valuable insights on peacemaking. He discusses the transformative journey through the Book of Mormon, particularly focusing on Moroni's teachings. Topics include the importance of personal growth and empathy in conflict resolution, the role of faith and charity in fostering peace, and navigating the complexities of diplomacy. Scott emphasizes listening as a crucial skill for peacemaking and how hope can thrive even in the face of adversity.

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason explore a broader understanding of peace and peacemaking. They emphasize the importance of expanding the conversation to include diverse perspectives and forms of peace. Joining them is Dr. Jeannie Johnson, a popular professor of political science at Utah State University and director of the Groundbreaking Center for Anticipatory Intelligence. Dr. Johnson shares her insights and expertise, highlighting the significance of preparing students to contribute positively to the world. This episode encourages listeners to rethink their definitions of peace and engage in meaningful discussions about how to foster it in various contexts.[00:03:29] Defining peace within oneself.[00:04:52] Peace in complex environments.[00:11:58] Wicked problems in national security.[00:15:23] Importance of building institutions.[00:18:08] Resilience in institutions and individuals.[00:22:18] Models of peacemaking in Ammon.[00:27:32] Power in choosing peace.[00:31:06] The power of conscious choice.[00:35:57] Peace through strength exploration.[00:39:44] Peacemaking in national security.[00:46:26] Finding peace through scripture.[00:48:12] Making peace in your life.For full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.mormonwomenforethicalgovernment.org/proclaim-peace