The Deseret News published this article about Elder Stevenson’s speech at the 2020 NAACP Conference. “Elder Stevenson said the church’s leader, President Russell M. Nelson, and the NAACP’s president Derrick Johnson, have linked arms to set an example.” “Engagement with a broader and more diverse community,” he said, “engenders individuals and groups to think outside of themselves. Ignorance dissipates, replaced by acceptance, which grows to understanding, ultimately progressing towards unity of heart and civility.” “He called on people to take three actions — to be their brother’s keeper, to foster civility and to emulate Christ-like love.”
“These statements by our prophet are eloquently summed up by what he said in our “Be One” celebration on June 1, 2018. Our gospel understanding “of the true brotherhood of men and the true sisterhood of women . . . inspires us with passionate desire to build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation.” That is what we need for our future—for our nation, for our world, and for our individual divine destinies.So what do we do now? In general conference, President Nelson “call[ed] upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” and pleaded with us “to promote respect for all of God’s children.”
“Simply stated, we strive to build bridges of cooperation rather than walls of segregation. As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which we esteem as a scriptural companion to the Holy Bible, the Savior invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he [denies] none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; . . . all are alike unto God” (see 2 Nephi 26:33). May I repeat that last phrase: “All are alike unto God.””
“Our 2020 bicentennial proclamation begins with the profoundly inclusive promise that “God loves His children in every nation of the world.” To each of us in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, God promises, covenants, and invites us to come partake of His abundant joy and goodness.God’s love for all people is affirmed throughout scripture. That love encompasses the Abrahamic covenant, gathering His scattered children, and His plan of happiness in our lives.In the household of faith there are to be no strangers, no foreigners, no rich and poor, no outside “others.” As “fellowcitizens with the saints,” we are invited to change the world for the better, from the inside out, one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time.”
“I grieve that our Black brothers and sisters the world over are enduring the pains of racism and prejudice. Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of God’s children."
“In our day one of the most significant challenges is contention and verbal abuse related to societal issues. In many cases anger and abusive language have replaced reason, discussion, and civility. Many have abandoned the admonition of the Savior’s senior Apostle, Peter, to seek Christlike qualities such as temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. They have also abandoned the Christlike quality of humility.…In a recent talk and again this morning, President Russell M. Nelson said it this way: “I plead with you to take charge of your testimony of Jesus Christ. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Then watch for miracles to happen in your life.”
