History professor and University Archivist Dr. Matt Kester urged BYU-Hawaii students in his October 11 devotional address, A City on a Hill, to fulfill the Savior's admonition to be peacemakers and founder President David O. McKay's charge to "establish peace internationally."
Kester said many communities have tried to embody the powerful metaphor of a "city on a hill... [that] cannot be hid" that Christ used in the Sermon on the Mount; and he also cited the Savior's beatitude, blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God [Matt. 5:9]."
"We are in a unique position at BYU-Hawaii to become peacemakers, and in doing so, set an example both within the Church and throughout the world," Kester said. "No other university, including Church-sponsored educational institutions, has a prophetic mandate to promote world peace. Despite the many peace studies programs at major universities, I could find no other university that had promoting world peace as a goal for its entire organization."
"As students, employees, and alumni of BYU Hawaii, it is our responsibility to become a city on a hill, an example of peace for others to follow. It is my strong belief that if we are going to serve as an example to the world, if we are going to become a city on a hill, it will be because we strive to accomplish this mission of becoming peacemakers."
Kester pointed out that "peace is an elusive concept" in today's world "where conflict rages... The good news, of course, is that peace can be achieved, both as individuals and collectively, through adherence to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ." He also added that Satan "works constantly to sow contention between people and nations."
"We have all experienced the welling of anger in the deepest places in our soul when we receive offense or injury, or in reaction to the offense or injury of our loved ones. In the aftermath of a perceived injury or abuse, both as individuals and nations, our natural reaction is to seek revenge or justice, which often leads to feelings of anger and even violence," he said. "However, we are commanded by the Lord to rise above the natural man and yield to the Spirit."
"Modern prophets as well as the scriptures counsel us as to how we as Latter-day Saints ought to react when tempted with feelings of anger and retribution," Kester continued, citing Doctrine and Covenants 105:39-40: Lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth; And make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good."
Kester also spoke of the "cycle of violence [that] often drags societies on a self-destructive downward spiral of hatred," as observed by Moroni: For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually" [Moroni 9:5].
"Once this awful threshold has been crossed, how can we achieve peace?" he asked. "I believe that it takes people committed to stepping forward and saying 'enough.' The strength, faith and courage required to do this can only come through reliance on the Spirit and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
"Of course, in times of war and conflict, Latter-day Saints throughout the world will be called upon to serve their nations. The Church has made it clear that we are required to honor and obey the laws of the land. This will force many of us into theaters of conflict; and many more of us will be affected by the absence of those who have been called to fight."
But afterwards, he continued, "we are required to love and forgive one another. This, of course, is not easy. Our ability to forgive our enemies is one of the most difficult commandments that the Savior has given to us. But it is a commandment nonetheless."
Kester outlined several ways we can become peacemakers:
- "Confirm our individual commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ."
- "Recognize the hand of the Lord in bringing you to this place, and to live worthily in order to help fulfill the mission of this university."
- "Erase the artificial divisions that exist between us. We must see one another as the Lord sees us," he said.
- "Search for practical ways to bridge worldly divides."
"We can be a city on a hill," Kester said. "It is the prophetic destiny of this unique institution. This is a place ordained of God to accomplish that most difficult of all tasks, to establish peace internationally. You are a part of it."
"Let us commit ourselves to Christ, join arm in arm with our brothers and sisters, and fulfill the mission of this place."
— Photo by Monique Saenz