October 22, 2025, 4:00 AM MDT
Editor’s note: To support individual and family gospel study, Church News is publishing articles about the October 2025 general conference messages. In addition to checking out these resources, we encourage you to listen and read the entire address.
About this talk
Read the full message here. You can read a summary of Elder Stevenson’s message here.
overview
As general conference begins, many are grieving losses and feeling the anxiety brought on by tragedies around the world.
Capernaum of Galilee
Imagine the teenagers who were ministering to Jesus Christ in Capernaum, and the thoughts and feelings that would have occurred to them as they heard Jesus Christ’s story. Christ often encouraged his listeners to become peacemakers. Can peace be built in a world in turmoil? Peacemaking begins in the heart, then spreads to homes and families, and then to the streets and villages.
Fast forward 2,000 years
Many young people today feel pressured by life’s challenges. Thankfully, young men and women are drawn to the Sermon on the Mount moment and the invitation from living prophets to be peacemakers. The emerging generation is filled with a testimony of Jesus Christ and hope for the future. If you have that desire, it is possible to become a peacemaker.
Creating peace in our hearts
Every person is born with a divine inclination towards kindness and compassion. Peacemaking starts from within ourselves.
Peacebuilding within the home
Peacemaking in the home begins with persuasion, patience, gentleness, gentleness, meekness, and genuine love (see D&C 121:41). One struggling family made peacemaking a family event by forgiving and intentionally building others up rather than tearing them down.
peacebuilding in our communities
A Muslim imam and a Christian pastor from Nigeria overcame their conflict, forgave, and now travel side by side as peacemakers.
1 week peace negotiation plan
To become a peacemaker, build a conflict-free home zone, share goodness online, and strive to mend and reunite strained relationships.
conclusion
Achieving peace is a Christlike quality. It has been taught by Christ, the Bible, and modern prophets. God’s children strive to be peacemakers and fulfill the sacred role given to them by their Heavenly Father.
reflection questions
How can we make peacebuilding more deeply ingrained in our hearts?
What can you do to create a conflict-free zone in your home?
How can you turn social media into a peaceful place?
Who in your life can you apologize to, serve, or reunite with?
Why is building peace important in modern times?
speaker’s words
“Even today, peacemaking begins in the most basic place: in our hearts, then in our homes and families. As we practice it there, it spreads to our neighborhoods and communities.” “As we come to know the glory of God, we are ‘less willing to hurt one another, but more able to live in peace’ (Mosiah 4:13). May we choose to see one another as children of God in our congregations and communities.” God.” Being a peacemaker is a Christ-like quality. Peacekeepers can be labeled naive or weak from all sides. But being a peacemaker does not mean being weak; We are stronger than we can be. Peacebuilding requires courage and compromise, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing principles. It means leading with an open heart, not a closed one. It is about reaching out to one another, not with a closed fist. Peace-making is not new, if not reported; it was taught by Jesus Christ himself in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. It has been taught by modern prophets from the early days of the Restoration to today.
Reference scripture
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” “Peace I leave with you, and my peace I give you; not as the world gives, but I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor be afraid.” “And you will not think to hurt one another, but live in peace and serve everyone as is due.”
invitation and promise
“Conflict-Free Home Zone: When conflict starts, pause and restart with kind words and actions.” “Build Digital Bridges: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask yourself, ‘Will this build a bridge?’” If not, stop. Please do not send. Instead, share the goodness. “Repair and Reunion: Each family member may explore strained relationships to apologize, serve, repair, and reunite.”
story
Imagine a young teenager listening to Christ speak in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee. They return home and share what they have learned from the Lord. They ask their parents if they can make peace in a world of turmoil. The father tells them that it is possible – it begins in the heart, then in the home and family, and finally in the streets and village. The children of one family were struggling with relationships with adults who were moody, condescending, and curt. As the family discussed their struggles, each pledged to be careful with kind words and thoughtful actions. The children enjoyed the changes that resulted from these changes. Nigeria’s Muslim imam and Christian pastor stood on opposite sides of a painful religious rift. Through the healing power of forgiveness, they put aside their differences and became friends. They established an interreligious mediation center. Their efforts helped others and ultimately led to them being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
additional resources
Recent conferences on peace negotiations
Who is Elder Stevenson?
Elder Gary E. Stevenson was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He has lived in Japan for over nine years and attended two temple dedications in Japan and one rededication as an apostle.
