After the resurrected Jesus left His followers on the American continent, nearly 200 years of peace followed. The sacred record attributes this time to the love of God that dwelt in people's hearts throughout the land.

As we read the account and compare it to our own day, we are almost envious of the Nephites: "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God." (4 Ne. 1:15-17)

The hatred that abounds today and dominates the headlines begs the questions: Why can't we get along with each other? What makes people so suspicious of their neighbors that they feel they must resort to violence? In the past year, we have witnessed untold inhumanity to others in the Balkans. We have seen fighting flare again in Africa. We have seen crime lords in South America and elsewhere assassinate politicians. We have watched as children kill other children in schools, and criminals — in the name of racial purity — gun down innocent bystanders.

President Ezra Taft Benson cut through the turmoil and found a root cause of hatred and contentions:

"Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots and disturbances all fall into this category of pride. Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts." (Conference Report, April 5, 1989.)

Jesus told the Nephites: "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." (3 Ne. 11:29-30.)

Before the start of World War II, the First Presidency declared: "The mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to establish peace. The living Christ is its head. . . . It is the duty of [priesthood holders] to manifest brotherly love, first toward one another, then toward all mankind; to seek unity, harmony and peace in organizations within the Church and then, by precept and example, extend these virtues throughout the world." (First Presidency's greeting, Dec. 22, 1936.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "It is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love — show forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase; cast our bread upon the waters and we shall receive it after many days, increased a hundredfold. Friendship is like [the blacksmith] welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence." (History of the Church 5:517.)

And our prophet today, President Gordon B. Hinckley, reminds us of our duty in this regard: "We must be friends. We must love and honor and respect and assist one another. Wherever Latter-day Saints go, they are made welcome, because Latter-day Saints are mutual believers in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and are engaged together in His great cause. . . . We must never permit this spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood to weaken. We must constantly cultivate it." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 223.)

The way to overcome hatred is to put aside our pride, to forgive our enemies and strive to follow the example of the Savior. Surely, He would have us be peacemakers, not peace-breakers.

President Hinckley declared: "Teach our people always to forgive and forget. Get it behind them. We carry the cankering evil of memories of little things that destroy us and destroy our feelings, whereas with just a little turnaround, a little kindness, we could bestow blessings upon people." (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 230-231.)

The answer to a peaceful world starts with each individual.