President Oaks Says: Avoid Arguments, Be Peacemakers – Church News

In a time of toxic communication and hostility in public and personal relationships, President Dallin H. Oaks taught that followers of Jesus Christ must avoid strife and be peacemakers.

President Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, concluded the October 2024 Saturday morning session of General Conference by re-emphasizing what he called “one of the most famous commandments of Christ—the most revolutionary and the most difficult to obey” and yet “one of the most well-known Commandments of Christ” meant a fundamental part of His invitation to follow Him.”

Citing familiar Bible language, President Oaks said: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who abuse and persecute you.”​—Matthew 5:44.

Jesus also taught: “Blessed are those who make peace; for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

“As followers of Christ,” President Oaks told the global audience of Latter-day Saints and their friends, “we teach and witness to Jesus Christ, our perfect example.” So let us follow him by forgoing argument.

“As we pursue our preferred policies in public action, let us qualify for his blessing by using the language and methods of peacemakers. Let us avoid anything that is harsh and hateful in our families and other personal relationships.”

“Following Christ”

At the beginning of his address, “Following Christ,” President Oaks explained that following the Savior is not a casual or occasional practice. “It is an ongoing commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and everywhere,” he said.

God's commandments are the guiding and stabilizing force in a person's life, President Oaks said.

He compared the experience of mortality to that of a boy and his father flying a kite on a windy day. When the boy suggested cutting the connecting cord so the kite could rise higher, his father explained that the cord held it in place against the wind. If the kite were to no longer hold on to the string, it would be dragged along and inevitably fall to the earth.

“This essential cord represents the covenants that bind us to God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ,” said President Oaks. “As we honor these covenants by keeping their commandments and following their plan of salvation, their promised blessings enable us to ascend to heavenly heights.”

Reemphasizing the Savior's Teachings

President Oaks said the Lord gives two kinds of commandments—permanent commandments, such as the teachings of Christ, and temporary commandments, such as leading the pioneer journey west. Temporary commandments are those which are necessary to the needs of the Lord's Church under temporary circumstances and are repealed when the need has passed.

It has taken time for some enduring commandments to be universally observed and they need to be reemphasized given the circumstances facing the church and its members, he said. One example is President Russell M. Nelson's recent call for the Church to be known by its revealed name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Another teaching of the Savior that needs reemphasis under current circumstances is to avoid strife, President Oaks said.

“This is a time of many harsh and hurtful words in public communication and sometimes even in our families. Sharp differences on public policy issues often lead to hostile – even hateful – actions in public and personal relationships,” he said.

President Oaks noted that avoiding arguments was one of the first principles Jesus taught when he appeared to the Nephites.

“While he taught this in the context of disputes over religious doctrine, the reasons he gave clearly apply to communications and relationships in politics, public policy, and family relationships,” President Oaks said.

Avoid arguments, be a peacemaker

President Oaks reiterated the Savior's closely related teaching on peacemakers and quoted President Nelson's recent challenge to all to choose to be peacemakers. “True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers,” President Nelson said in the April 2023 general conference.

“To follow our perfect example and his prophet,” said President Oaks, “we must practice what is popularly known as the Golden Rule: ‘Whatever you want people to do to you, do to them :' for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

President Oaks continued: “We must love and do good to all. We must avoid arguments and be peacemaking in all our communication. This does not mean that we compromise our principles and priorities, but rather that we stop harshly attacking others for their principles and priorities.

“This is what our perfect role model did in his service. This is the example he set for us when he invited us to follow him.”