The Six Principles of Peacemaking

At MWEG's founding, we adopted as our guide the six principles of nonviolence as adapted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the ideas of Mohandas K. Gandhi and other philosophers. After much thought and prayer, we chose to adapt these principles for our organization, with a focus on actively making peace and following the example of Jesus Christ.

1.  Peacemaking is proactive and courageous.

We are all called to be peacemakers. We acquire the necessary courage and confidence for this work by filling our hearts and minds with pure knowledge, charity, and virtue. (See Matthew 5:9 and D&C 121:42, 45.)

2.  Peacemaking seeks to unify instead of divide.

We believe that only kindness, empathy, and pure love can adequately enlarge our souls, strip us of hypocrisy, and help us become reconciled to Jesus Christ and to one another. (See Ephesians 2:14, 19 and D&C 121:42.)

3.  Peacemaking demands great tolerance for people and none for injustice.

We believe we are all daughters and sons of God and are, therefore, sisters and brothers. As such, we do not wish ill on each other and try to possess charity for all. However, we boldly reject and oppose any attempt to use power or authority for the purposes of self-interest, justification of evil, or exercising unrighteous dominion or compulsion over others. We seek to dismantle all such corruption and the injustices which it perpetuates. (See Psalm 82:6, Ephesians 5:11, and D&C 121:37.)

4.  Peacemaking views human suffering as sacred.

Suffering is an inevitable part of mortal existence that can be redemptive when we allow it to draw us closer to God and to each other. Peacemaking requires that we be willing both to suffer voluntarily for just causes and to alleviate the suffering of others wherever possible. In both cases, we emulate the Savior himself. For those to whom we cannot provide relief, we bear witness to their suffering, mourn with them in solidarity, and persistently shine a light on the causes of that suffering. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 and Mosiah 18:8–9.)

5.  Peacemaking chooses love instead of hate.

We believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe and that any good relations can be maintained only through persuasion, patience, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned, and that through this love, the hearts of all people might be knit together. (See D&C 121:41, 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, and Mosiah 18:21.)

6.  Peacemaking believes that ultimate peace is not only possible, but sure.

We believe that, through Christ who overcame all, we can have the hope of peace in this life, regardless of our circumstances, and the promise of everlasting peace when Christ comes again to reign forever as the Prince of Peace. (See John 16:33 and D&C 59:23.)

Find additional peacemaking resources, including devotionals and our Practical Peacemaking course. 

Read more about these principles in The Little Purple Book: MWEG Essentials.

The services offered by MWEG are neither made, provided, approved, nor endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or opinions expressed, implied, or included in or with the services offered by MWEG are solely those of MWEG and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.