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Moving Our Peace Goals Forward

Let the educational and community development endeavors of the church equip people of all ages to carry the ethics of Christ’s peace into all arenas of life. Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh vision to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their hearts are focused on God’s will for creation.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:4c

That scriptural call to action, a sense of urgency, and people with similar vision will converge this month in a groundbreaking peace summit involving World Church leaders, affiliates, and others.

The goal is to come away from the September 21–22 gathering—the first of its kind—with a document that focuses on how to move peace goals forward. That agreement then would be presented to the World Church.

“The time is right,” said Sue Sloan, executive assistant to the First Presidency. “It’s hearing the good things happening…and bringing everybody together around the table.” The Presidency will lead the event at the Temple in Independence.

Organizers expect about eighty attendees, representing several groups:

• Stakeholders such as Graceland University, Outreach International, Community of Christ Health Ministries Association, and others.

• Contributors such as the Council of Twelve Apostles, Presiding Bishopric, World Service Corps, and others.

• Sages such as President Emeritus Wallace B. Smith and Evangelist Bruce Crockett, director of the Spiritual Formation Center in Kirtland, Ohio. They will provide prayerful support and contribute as they feel led.

• Representatives from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and Mennonites, long-standing peace churches. They will be available to discuss their experiences and traditions.

• Observers, who will listen and watch as the first day unfolds, create the document, and offer it for discussion in the final session.

“Good things are happening in creating peace and justice,” Sloan said. “This will bring key leaders together to enhance visioning.”

—Greg Clark reporting