In a day where contention and disagreements are abundant, President Russell M. Nelson has said, “Friendship and respect can literally be lifesaving.”
President Henry B. Eyring previously shared, “[Jesus Christ] made no distinction between the poor and rich, the young or old, the healthy or infirm. He did not shun those of different faiths or those of different cultural backgrounds. He loved everyone. He loves everyone. And He has commanded us to ‘love one another,’ as He has loved us (John 15:12).”
And Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf echoed that sentiment with a recent social media post after his visit to Auschwitz in Poland and Plötzensee Prison in Berlin. The Plötzensee Memorial Center is at the site of an infamous prison where over 2,800 inmates were executed, including a 16-year-old teen named Helmuth Hubener, a devout Latter-day Saint and reportedly the youngest person executed by the Third Reich.
Elder Uchtdorf’s message was simple: “The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to magnify the love in our heart until we see all men and women as our neighbors—as our brothers and sisters. His gospel unites and unifies every man, woman, and child. It teaches that we are not enemies but are of one divine and eternal family; sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.”
No stranger to the horrors of World War II and the uncertainties his family faced, Elder Uchtdorf also shared that, “As fellow sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have the responsibility and opportunity to promote peace and harmony among all of God’s children.”
You can read his entire post and see photos from Elder and Sister Uchtdorf’s visit below.
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