As COVID-19 restrictions lift, we find everyone releasing their pent-up frustrations in some pretty bad ways. This week’s hot topic is racism and it has manifested itself in a very ugly way. Our thoughts look inward to see how we really feel about racism, inequality, and social pressure. What do we do with our thoughts and feelings? My thoughts turn to the scriptures.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been taught that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, “men are free” (2 Ne. 2:27). “[Jesus Christ] denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female … all are alike unto God” (2 Ne. 26:33). As for “white privilege,” the scriptures remind us that we are all “less than the dust of the earth” (Helaman 12:7). As for every single human on this earth, we are indebted to a “God who has created you and has kept and preserved you” (Mosiah 2:21).
And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another (Mosiah 4:21).
Philosophies of the world, ignited by Satan, would have us believe that racism is an issue amongst the human family. That it must be dealt with, fought against, and exorcized from our personal attitudes. But what does the gospel teach us? To love God and love our neighbor as much as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39). If we really believed that, there couldn’t be racism, inequality, or any other issue that haunts our world today.
In the Priesthood session of the October 1988 conference, Joseph B. Wirthlin reminds the men (and women need to understand this includes them as well), “Being members of the Church truly is a privilege and an honor. … Your task then will be to teach and prepare the generation that follows you.”
What is privilege? It’s being given great blessings from God, our Father. But with that privilege comes responsibility (think Spiderman). We are to teach, love, and nurture one another, especially the next generation.
Gene R. Cook, also speaking in this session, says, “Our divine motivation must be for the love of God.” Our motivation, to be kind, loving, teaching, and especially to act on our responsibility, comes from our desire to show love to our God.
The topic of Church sports is always a little sketchy amongst ward members. Many injuries, both physical and emotional, have occurred over the years. Thomas S. Monson mentions this in his talk when he says, “… serious arguments on the sports floor or playing field, name calling by parents, abuse of referees, and all that characterizes poor sportsmanship. We have room for improvement, brethren, and improve we must.” We have room for improvement because we simply know better.
But, I think, what I loved most from his talk was this: “When God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right.” When injustices happen—and they will in this imperfect world full of imperfect people—we must always obediently respond in the way we have been taught by Jesus Christ’s example. By acting in His way, we will always be right and safe. And this is what we need to learn, accept, and fully understand: Justice will have its day in mercy through our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
What gets me most about all this talk of racism, inequality, and social pressure is that when people are fueled by hate, revenge, and justice they forget everything they’ve ever been taught about Jesus Christ, and what they know they should do. Those moments when we lose control and forget who we are; those are the very moments we need to step back and remember the first and second great commandments.