“‘Zion’ – the Restoration’s term for the beloved community … is not simply an otherworldly aspiration but rather an achievable aim for this world if individuals and societies embrace love, equality, justice and peace as a way of life.” — Patrick Mason & David Pulsipher
Partway through my doctoral studies, especially my International Relations classes, I found myself drawn to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
During the rest of my doctoral studies, and even more deliberately since their conclusion, I’ve been reading, writing, and applying the principles I’ve been learning about resolving conflict and building lasting peace.
I’ve read and re-read “Dangerous Love“ by Chad Ford, “Proclaim Peace“ by Patrick Mason and David Pulsipher, “The Anatomy of Peace“ by the Arbinger Institute and “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson. I’ve read a variety of works from the Rev. Desmond Tutu and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I’ve read academic literature, especially research that looks at the role of women in peacebuilding. I’ve gotten involved in the Dignity Index, working to reduce contempt in political speech. And, I’ve worked in my own life to implement the principles of long-lasting, positive peace.
Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—tension, confusion, or war; it is the presence of some a positive force—justice, good will, brotherhood.”
— Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Stonecatchers
In April 2021, I wrote an article on being “stonecatchers.” It was published early in the morning. Later that same day, in a General Conference session, Elder Renlund also spoke of being stonecatchers.
Elder Renlund, in his talk on “Infuriating unfairness,” said:
Mr. Stevenson observed that self-righteousness, fear, and anger have caused even Christians to hurl stones at people who stumble. He then said, ‘We can’t simply watch that happen,”’and he encouraged the congregants to become ‘stonecatchers.’ Brothers and sisters, not throwing stones is the first step in treating others with compassion. The second step is to try to catch stones thrown by others.
How we deal with advantages and disadvantages is part of life’s test. We will be judged not so much by what we say but by how we treat the vulnerable and disadvantaged. As Latter-day Saints, we seek to follow the Savior’s example, to go about doing good. We demonstrate our love for our neighbor by working to ensure the dignity of all Heavenly Father’s children.
… Let your afflictions be ‘swallowed up in the joy of Christ.’ Join Him in His mission “to heal the brokenhearted,” strive to mitigate unfairness, and become a stonecatcher.
I wrote:
Being a stone catcher does not mean buying into some form of “Savior-ism.” It doesn’t come from a place of pity, or from a place of wanting accolades for all the good we are accomplishing with pseudo-activism. It’s not parachuting in with TV cameras to “save the day” while looking good on TV. It’s gritty heartwork that might leave us with dirt under our fingernails and tear-streaked cheeks as we see stones we can’t catch quickly enough hit their mark. It’s mourning with those who mourn and sitting with those in deepest despair.
Being a stone catcher might mean bearing another’s burden when it’s the sharp and heavy stones of grief and loss that threaten to overwhelm them. Or when those stones look like loneliness, depression, anxiety and fear. Being a stone catcher might mean using our voices to amplify those voices not being heard, using our breath to speak for those who cannot breathe. It could mean speaking up while others remain silent — or who are loudly shouting that the person on the ground deserved to be stoned, raped, arrested or shot or … fill in the blank.”
Why does it matter?
Building peace, resolving conflict and catching stones matters now more than ever. In our deeply divided world, it’s important to remember the humanity of those with whom we may disagree. Building Zion – the beloved community – requires of us that we do all we can to treat others with dignity, respect, and love.
Peacebuilding is intertwined, or course, with people and public policy. It’s some of the most important work of our time.