On Thursday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m., President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the first Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. The traditionally Black school wanted to connect President Nelson’s name with these three giants for his work condemning racism and promoting peace.
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, had visited President Nelson earlier this year to formally present the award in a pre-recorded broadcast.
“We are honored to announce you as the inaugural laureate of the Morehouse College Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize as an internationally recognized medical scientist, revered president, prophet, seer, and revelator for the 17-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Reverend Carter read. “You have worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than create walls of segregation.”
Learning to Promote Peace and God’s Love
In his acceptance speech, President Nelson said he “came to know that our Heavenly Father cares deeply for every one of His children” throughout his years as a heart surgeon. And his love for God’s children only grew traveling the world as a leader in the Church.
“I can state without equivocation that God pours out His Spirit liberally upon all who seek Him,” President Nelson added. “God does not love one race more than another. His feelings of inclusion are very clear. As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which I esteem as companion scripture to the Holy Bible, the Savior ‘invite[s] all to come unto Him and partake of his goodness; … he [denies] none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.’”
Reverend Carter praised President Nelson’s work to “get out of the box and surprise some folk. Do something very different of what is needed to unite people.”
Indeed President Nelson has worked tirelessly to condemn racism and promote peace among the people of the world. This award was well-deserved.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: Reverend Carter presented President Nelson with the Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize in Salt Lake City in March 2023. Courtesy YouTube/Church Newsroom.