The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (others call the “Mormon” Church) sent a representative, Elder Pieper, to Third Congress of Traditional and World Religions which convened at Astana, Kazakhstan, 1-2 July 2009. He presented a paper to the congress that emphasised a collective effort and focus that would result in blessings for all mankind (you can read the entire news article >>here).
Elder Pieper offered three principles which the world religions can follow,
- The right to choose ones worship
- Friendship to all denominations and
- A unified approach to the world’s challenges where possible.
After reading this article, I immediately felt impressed that God was speaking to worldly religions and groups. The principles depicted are of God and when given to the diverse religious groups at this conference, it cannot be anything less and nothing else but God speaking throug Elder Pieper.
Peace is the central message. Principles given are designed for peace. There is no special interest in Elder Pieper’s message, it was given to all people at the conference to glorify God and bless all mankind. The message did not condemn anyone or their beliefs, but gave clear grounds and principles by which even they, the worldly religions, can please God. For it pleases God to see peace as the foremost goal in every man and womans heart and to live and practice that peace.
The message given by Elder Pieper also speaks against religious intolerance. The freedom to choose which religion to follow is one of the paramount principles listed. This means each person has the right and freedom to accept or reject Christianuty and take up any other religion and the principles allow for that freedom. This means that those who take up bashing religions or another religion is working against God and no person can claim the right to do that by the Bible.
As Elder Pieper gave the basic principles of peace, how many will accept those principles for the benefit of peace and to bless others? The results, of course will be seen in the fruits of their works.