Ask no man

No More Contention is the pursuit of clarity, charity and understanding. Contention arises from the compulsion to have others agree with us. Seeking understanding in an environment of clarity and charity produces no more contention. As Joseph Smith said, "I will ask no man to believe as I do."

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Three broad categories

In a sense, contention is inevitable and unavoidable because every individual is unique, and no two people agree on everything.  Ideally, we...

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

President Nelson at 101

https://time.com/7315003/russell-nelson-dignity-respect/

Sep 5, 2025 9:00 PM CET

Russell M. Nelson: We All Deserve Dignity and Respect

by Russell M. Nelson

Living to 101 is a privilege I never anticipated. I grew up during the Great Depression as the world emerged from the First World War. Over a century, I have witnessed extraordinary breakthroughs in medicine and communication—from the telegram to Instagram—and I have seen wars and peace. The world has changed dramatically. Yet what I have learned is that some truths do not change. These enduring truths are what anchor us in turbulent times.

As a heart surgeon for four decades and an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for four more, I have spent my life studying both the physical and the spiritual heart. Early in my career, during the pioneering days of open-heart surgery, conventional wisdom held that the heart should never be touched, or it would stop. That belief proved false. In the research lab, my colleagues and I discovered that, when treated according to natural laws, the heart could be stopped, repaired, and revived. By carefully balancing sodium and potassium in the blood, we could pause the heart long enough to mend it—and then see it spring back to life when that balance was restored. I still remember a professor asking me years later, “But what if it doesn’t work?” My answer was simple: It always works. This is one example—despite longstanding beliefs—of an irrefutable truth.

Later, as a faith leader, I came to understand that the human spirit flourishes when nourished by divine truth as well. On the occasion of my 101st birthday, I wish to share two such truths—lessons that I believe contribute to lasting happiness and peace.

First:  Each of us has inherent worth and dignity. I believe we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. But no matter your religion or spirituality, recognizing the underlying truth beneath this belief that we all deserve dignity is liberating—it brings emotional, mental, and spiritual equilibrium—and the more you embrace it, the more your anxiety and fear about the future will decrease. 

Life can be terrifying, and I have watched many—especially young people—struggle with anxiety about whether they belong or have value. But a heart that knows it is loved and remains focused on its purpose beats with steadiness, confidence, and hope no matter what is happening—or not happening—in life.

Second: Love your neighbor and treat them with compassion and respect. A century of experience has taught me this with certainty: anger never persuades, hostility never heals, and contention never leads to lasting solutions. Too much of today’s public discourse, especially online, fosters enmity instead of empathy. 

Imagine how different our world could be if more of us were peacemakers—building bridges of understanding rather than walls of prejudice—especially with those who may see the world differently than we do. I have seen bitter divisions soften when neighbors chose to listen to one another with respect rather than suspicion. Even small acts—like reaching out across lines of faith, culture, or politics—can open doors to healing. There is power in affording others the human dignity that all of God’s children deserve.  

This work begins at home. At a time when loneliness and isolation are rising around the world, families—though never perfect—remain one of life’s strongest sources of stability and meaning. 

My own experience has taught me that fidelity, forgiveness, and faithfulness within families yield deep, enduring peace. Strong families help us extend kindness outward, reinforcing communities and societies as well.


Friday, August 8, 2025

Witbeck at FAIR

 

Good summary on X.


Really funny presentation at from (aka "the Reasonable One on ). Satan pulls us into one of two paths: "The Path of the Pushover." Satan tempts us to prioritize our mistaken interpretation of "loving our neighbor" over loving God, constantly affirming, and we let mercy rob justice. "The Path of the Punisher." Satan tempts us with a mistaken idea of loving God, constantly condemning, and we let supposed justice rob any mercy. By contrast, Jesus invites us to put away both natural man tendencies and instead follow the "Path of the Peacemaker." We harmonize justice and justice and mercy. We recognize both halves of the Lord's statement: "Neither do I condemn thee" AND "Go and sin no more."







Sunday, August 3, 2025

Istanbul: clarity, charity and understanding

 

In Istanbul this week, I met with religious leaders from diverse faith traditions. I also visited important religious and historic sites with Islamic scholars Dr. Samy Ayoub and Professor Recep Åžentürk. Our Articles of Faith remind us, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may” (Articles of Faith 1:11). The fatherhood of God makes us brothers and sisters. We are each better when we love, mutually respect, and learn from each other.

https://x.com/GerritWGong/status/1952006542880100854











Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Religions for Peace World Council Meeting



Facilitating Global Interfaith Responses to the World’s Most Urgent Challenges

Faith leaders and communities have served on the frontlines of every major challenge the world has ever faced – Religions for Peace brings this expertise and commitment together for interfaith solutions that include government, civil society, and all other stakeholders. 


Ten World Assemblies

Every five to seven years, Religions for Peace convenes a World Assembly to bring together faith leaders with government and civil society partners to forge a consensus on global priorities for peace and elect new leadership.

Previous World Assemblies have taken place in 2019 (Lindau, Germany), 2013 (Vienna, Austria), 2006 (Kyoto, Japan), 1999 (Amman, Jordan), 1994 (The Vatican, Italy), 1989 (Melbourne, Australia), 1984 (Nairobi, Kenya), 1979 (Princeton, United States), 1974 (Leuven, Belgium), and 1970 (Kyoto, Japan).

https://www.rfp.org/leadership/

_____

At the 2025 meeting, Elder Gerrit Gong participated in a panel discussion.

https://x.com/GerritWGong/status/1950317001714630988


 



With exponentially compounding AI technologies promising new ideas and new possibilities in coming years, we confront profound questions: • What it means to be human? • Who and what will define perceptual “truth”? • Emotional relationships between humans and AI (including AI companions)? • How we understand divine principles of work, faith and reasoning, even relationship with the Divine? I spoke about these issues today at the Religions for Peace World Council Meeting held in Istanbul, Türkiye. I called for religious actors to action in three AI-centered areas which affect faith, ethics, and human dignity. First, be clear, and help society understand, AI is not and cannot be God. No set of utilitarian AI algorithms should determine or speak for our most treasured human values and spiritual experiences. Second, help chart a future where AI genuinely contributes to the common good, including human thriving and common prosperity, for people everywhere. Third, commit together to ensure AI’s moral compass is not dictated solely by technology or the small group developing the technology. All those committed to faith-based morals, ethics, and values are needed in this conversation. Our most precious truth, comfort, revelation, guidance come when we personally commune with the Divine. Spiritual truth and light come from understanding who God is in creation and the universe. For children of God, platforms and technologies cannot substitute for authentic Divine connection and relationship.


Sustainable Development Goals

  1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
  2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
  3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
  4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
  5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
  6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
  7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
  8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
  9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
  10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
  11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
  12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.*
  14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
  15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
  16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
  17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.


Six Key Priorities

Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies

Our faith traditions inspire us to be changemakers where conflict, mass displacement, poverty, violent extremism and inequality call for common action

Gender Equality

Equality for women and girls is a foundation for securing a more peaceful and inclusive world for all people.

The Environment

Recognising the intimate connection between all forms of life and communities, we are committed to nurturing a sustainable environment.

Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. We bring faith communities together to champion this right for all.

Interreligious Education

Understanding diverse traditions is vital to increasing trust, respect, and cooperation among all people and faiths.

Global Partnerships

Strong partnerships with governments, civil society, and faith-based organisations ensures that our work is effective and leaves no one behind.