The way Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” began — “the best of times and the worst of times” — can easily be described today, said Alvin F. Meredith III, president of Brigham Young University-Idaho.
“We live in both the majestic times envisioned by the prophets and the perilous times Paul foresaw,” President Meredith said Tuesday, April 21, during the university’s first devotion of the spring 2026 semester. The chancellor was joined by his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, who spoke about building intentional families.
President Meredith said, “While the Lord’s work is accelerating in temples, family history, missionary work, and membership growth, conflict continues to surround us, from wars between nations to daily debates on social media.”
What should disciples of Jesus Christ do in times like these? Follow the guidance of living prophets and apostles, President Meredith said. He said that the late Church President Russell M. Nelson and current Church President Dallin H. Oaks echoed the Savior’s teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).
“If the prophets keep returning to this idea of peacebuilding, we should ask not only why, but also what the Lord expects of us.”
“Am I making peace or destroying it?”
The Lord expects His disciples to take ownership of peacemaking by asking, “Am I making peace or destroying it?” President Meredith said. “This issue is at the heart of peace negotiations, whether I am personally a builder or a demolition contractor.”
He said that in a world where opposing views often lead to conflict, “peacekeepers demonstrate true love while holding firm to the truth. They choose to disagree without getting offended.”
Building peace can be more about what someone doesn’t say than what they say.
“As disciples of Christ, we should not add fuel to controversy, especially in comment sections on social media. Anonymousness is no excuse for harsh or hurtful words,” Meredith said.
avoid conflicts
As recorded in the Book of Mormon, when Christ visited the Americas, he said, “Whoever has a contentious spirit is not of me, but of the devil” (3 Nephi 11:29).
“Note that the Savior did not say that the spirit of contention is of the devil unless you are in the right,” President Meredith said. “Don’t get me wrong, Satan will be thrilled to have you fight evil, but even if we believe we are standing up for what is right, Satan will also win if he can make us fight for any reason.”
So can a peacemaker still defend the truth? “There is a difference between claiming the truth and fighting over the truth. True disciples learn the difference and advocate justice without argument.”
President Meredith quoted President Oaks, who said in his April 2026 general conference message, that peace negotiations “do not mean abandoning our values.”
Peacemakers are motivated by the pure love of Christ
President Meredith said, “Being a peacemaker means more than just avoiding conflict and harsh words. It’s not just about what we don’t say or do. It’s about what we choose to say and do.” Those choices are motivated by charity, the pure love of Christ extending love to all.
He found out about this one day after receiving a kind email. Although it was only two paragraphs long, those words gave President Meredith peace and lifted a burden, he said.
“I wondered: What if we acted on that impression more often? What if when we thought or heard something kind about someone, we just told them?”
If ever the world needed peacemakers, he said, it was now. “World peace begins with individuals choosing to become peacebuilders.”
President Meredith concluded by testifying, “Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. When we follow Jesus and His teachings, we become peacemakers and find greater peace within ourselves.”
Establishing Traditions and Customs to Strengthen Families
In her speech, Sister Meredith quoted President Oaks in October 2025: “Family bonds are also strengthened by family stories, which build family traditions and share sacred experiences.”
One such tradition for the Meredith family was the 45-minute drive to the temple on the morning of their child’s baptism. They showed road signs that indicated safe arrival at the temple and explained that if we followed the Savior we would reach our heavenly home safely.
“Then they watched the sunrise and talked about how baptism is like a new dawn. It was a truly memorable morning for each child.”
Sister Meredith said, “Family life is a mixture of the sacred and the practical.” She also called on BYU-Idaho students to follow President Oaks’ recommendations and establish traditions and customs that unite and strengthen families now and in the future.
“My greatest joy is in nurturing marriages and family relationships,” she said. “I testify that the Lord is with us and will strengthen our efforts as we seek to strengthen our families.”
