Church leaders continually have encouraged members to foster amicable relations with people of other faiths by acknowledging the spiritual truth they possess, emphasizing the similarities in belief and lifestyle, and teaching us to disagree agreeably.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke on this theme to members and nonmembers during an area conference in Tahiti:
“Keep all the truth and all the good that you have. Do not abandon any sound or proper principle.
Do not forsake any standard of the past which is good, righteous, and true. Every truth found in every church in all the world we believe.
But we also say this to all men—Come and take the added light and truth that God has restored in our day.
The more truth we have, the greater is our joy here and now; the more truth we receive, the greater is our reward in eternity.” 6
During October 1991 general conference,
President Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:
“As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we seek to bring all truth together.
We seek to enlarge the circle of love and understanding among all the peoples of the earth.
Thus we strive to establish peace and happiness, not only within Christianity but among all mankind.” 7
Likewise,
Elder Russell M. Nelson quoted a public statement issued by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October 1992, calling upon
“all people everywhere to re-commit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect.
We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.” He then added:
“That pronouncement is a contemporary confirmation of the Prophet Joseph’s earlier entreaty for tolerance.
Unitedly we may respond. Together we may stand, intolerant of transgression but tolerant of neighbors with differences they hold sacred.
Our brothers and sisters throughout the world are all children of God.” 8
Rom. 10: 15
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Isa. 52: 7
7 ¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Nahum 1: 15
15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Mosiah 12: 21
21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;
Mosiah 27: 37
37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.
3 Ne. 20: 40
40 And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
D&C 128: 19
19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!