Lawyers as Instruments of Peace

Elder Robert S. Wood's General Conference address from last Sunday was particularly relevant to those of us preparing for the legal profession. Titled "Instruments of the Lord's Peace," Elder Wood spoke out against cynicism, hostility, and giving (and taking) offense. Sound familiar? I see a lot of that just about every day. Here are a few good quotes from the talk; it's available in html here.

"I have a friend who is a member of a political panel that is seen each week on national television. Explaining her role, she said, 'We are encouraged to speak before thinking!' We appear to be living in an era in which many are speaking without thinking, encouraging emotional reactions rather than thoughtful responses. Whether it be on the national or international stage, in personal relations or in politics, at home or in the public forum, voices grow ever more strident, and giving and taking offense appear to be chosen rather than inadvertent."

"Have we who have taken upon us the name of Christ slipped unknowingly into patterns of slander, evil speaking, and bitter stereotyping? Have personal or partisan or business or religious differences been translated into a kind of demonizing of those of different views? Do we pause to understand the seemingly different positions of others and seek, where possible, common ground?"

"President George Albert Smith observed, 'There is nothing in the world more deleterious or harmful to the human family than hatred, prejudice, suspicion, and the attitude that some people have toward their fellows, of unkindness.' In matters of politics, he warned, 'Whenever your politics cause you to speak unkindly of your brethren, know this, that you are upon dangerous ground.' Speaking of the great mission of the latter-day kingdom, he counseled: 'This is not a militant church to which we belong. This is a church that holds out peace to the world. It is not our duty to go into the world and find fault with others, neither to criticize men because they do not understand. But it is our privilege, in kindness and love, to go among them and divide with them the truth that the Lord has revealed in this latter day.'"