Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday morning session of April 2022 general conference. He taught what it means to be a peacemaker. The following is a summary of what he said.
Notable quotes from Elder Andersen
“Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.”
“By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching, meaning to calm, cool or extinguish, all the fiery darts of the adversary.”
“We, too, can move away from contention and bless the lives of others, while not isolating ourselves in our own corner.”
Summary of Elder Andersen’s talk
In this day of “commotion, contention and, for many, deep suffering,” it is necessary that “we become peacemakers.”
Technology enables individual opinions to spread quickly regardless of their truthfulness, fairness or kindness. The Savior taught in the Sermon on the Mount how to survive “in a contemptuous world.”
“By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching, meaning to calm, cool or extinguish, all the fiery darts of the adversary.”
“Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.”
The existence of moral agency and the opposition that comes with agency are two principles that guide the desire to be peacemakers.
“[W]e choose the path of peacemakers.”
“Jesus taught us in the parable of the good Samaritan that those of different beliefs should sincerely reach out to help everyone in need, being peacemakers, pursuing good and noble causes.”
At times, keeping quiet instead of reacting impulsively is the sign of a peacemaker. Sometimes, the action needed is one of serving others, not reacting to an antagonist.
“May we love Him, and love one another. May we be peacemakers, that we may be called the ‘children of God.’”
About Elder Andersen
- Elder Neil L. Andersen was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 4, 2009.
- He served a mission in France and presided over the France Bordeaux Mission from 1989 to 1992.
- He and his wife, Kathy Williams Andersen, are the parents of four children.
Elder Andersen in the news
- Elder Andersen shared lists of 2 scriptures of Jesus’ teachings, 6 of His parables, and 10 testimonies from Book of Mormon prophets about the Atonement of Jesus Christ with missionaries at the Provo (Utah) Missionary Training Center on March 8 and asked missionaries to create their own lists.
- At BYU–Hawaii, Elder Andersen encouraged students during a devotional on Jan. 17 to take a different look at New Year’s resolutions.
- In a devotional for young adults in Latin America and Spain on Jan. 9, he taught five anchoring principles of repentance and forgiveness.
Elder Andersen’s recent social posts
- Elder Andersen shared a video of his conversation with his 9-year-old grandson about what he has learned so far in the “Come, Follow Me” curriculum this year about the Creator and the adversary on Feb. 25.
- Elder Andersen posted six of the Savior’s parables on March 11 and invited his social media followers to “speak more of Christ and remember His teachings and parables.”
- On March 20, his 47th wedding anniversary, Elder Andersen expressed his gratitude for his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, and her deep faith in Jesus Christ. “I will forever love and cherish this noble daughter of God who has influenced who I am more than anyone else on this earth,” he said.
