February peacemaking round-up
A collection of readings, events, tools, and resources for aspiring peacemakers
Last week, Elder Ulisses S. Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC. He shared his belief that all of us yearn for peaceful, unified societies. He counseled:
It is imperative to remember that yearning does not mean waiting. We can choose, individually, to offer more than just ‘thoughts and prayers’ for the things we hope for. We can choose to be peacemakers now.
Later that day, modeling an interfaith dialogue with Pastor Bob Roberts, he shared that peace is not passive; it requires dialogue and action to protect and spread peace throughout society. What does it take to move from ‘thoughts and prayers’ to the active peace Elder Soares described? There are as many answers as there are people!
We hope you take inspiration from the peacemakers and resources below.
Latter-day Saint Peacemaking Updates
Emily de Schweinitz Taylor launched the Conflict Coach podcast with BYU Radio. Conflicts are inevitable, but they don’t have to ruin your life.
Jonathan Rauch, an atheist gay Jewish writer believes that Latter-day Saint civic theology holds the keys to solving the culture wars and Christian renewal. In recent weeks he’s spoken at BYU and the Brookings Institute in Washington, DC.
The Proclaim Peace podcast released a new episode last week called “From Ites to Unity: Creating a Tapestry of Belonging with Ashley Fraser.”
New Peacemaking Opportunities & Resources
Learn How to Talk Bridgey (or connect across social differences) with The Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign on Feb. 18.
Thinking about how your language affects our political environment? More Like Us founder James Coan thinks the word “polarization” exaggerates our political divisions. Instead, words like “overthreat” and “undertrust” better identify the lack of trust and elevated perception of threat facing us.
Braver Angels is hosting a free online workshop Feb. 22 on how to preserve family relationships while being true to your values and political beliefs.
Worried about politics in family relationships? Check out this piece on where Democrats and Republicans align on family matters. Also, new research shows a popular couples therapy tool can reduce political polarization.
Good Conflict has a toolkit of practical resources to work through, which you can use in conflicts you encounter in your life.
For a novel approach to an old topic, check out the inaugural State of Compassion report from the Muhammad Ali Institute, which highlights principles to fostering compassion as individuals and societies.
Opportunities for Youth, Young Adults, & Young Professionals
Latter-day Saints in Orange, CA will host the 18th Annual Faith Forum Festival Feb. 22. High school students have a chance to engage in interfaith dialogue. Sign up here!
Auburn Seminary’s Emerging Leaders Program is a fully funded, year-long opportunity for young changemakers (18-35) to build multifaith, cross-cultural leadership skills, kicking off with a transformative retreat in D.C. this April—apply by Feb 15!
The JRCLS Religious Liberty Fellowship is a fully funded opportunity for law students and recent graduates to explore religious freedom through expert instruction, networking, and hands-on learning at Valley Forge from June 3-6, 2025—apply by March 1!
The BJC Fellows Program offers young professionals (ages 25-45) a fully funded, intensive experience to deepen their understanding of religious liberty, beginning with a seminar in Colonial Williamsburg from July 30 to August 3, 2025; applications are due by March 3.