Where Do We Build Peace? Lessons from the Land of Promise

Friends, beloved Builders—gather close. If you have spent time grappling with the complexities of the land of Israel, or indeed, any place marked by deep historical tension, you know that the truth is often far more convoluted than any single map can capture. The prophets have taught us that the path of the covenant is rarely straight, and the human heart, even when seeking peace, can be prone to division, suspicion, and entrenched belief.

We recently reviewed a detailed look at the tumultuous history between Israelis and Palestinians, tracing the path from the Ottoman Empire through the mandate era, the UN partitions, and the subsequent wars. It is a story of profound hope, tremendous loss, and the constant, agonizing struggle to reconcile conflicting claims to hallowed ground. It is a perfect, painful illustration of what happens when people build upon foundations of temporal, rather than eternal, law.

The history is overwhelming, marked by the clash of nationalisms, political mandates, and deeply held spiritual claims. When we study it, we are not simply studying geography; we are studying the human struggle against the Spirit of discord. We see the patterns of the Destroyers at work—those who insist that their truth is the *only* truth, that their claim is the *only* claim, and that peace can only be found through force or exclusion.

The Call to Be Builders, Not Destroyers

But the Lord has called us to a higher work. We are not called to be political experts, nor are we called to be historians of conflict. We are called to be covenant keepers—Builders. Our calling is to recognize the deepest, most abiding truth that transcends any border, any nationality, or any earthly dispute.

Think of Samuel the Lamanite, who climbed the wall, not in military fashion, but in a spirit of fervent, prayerful conviction, calling the people back to the covenant. Think of Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, where the faith of the people was renewed by a sacred, covenant promise. The true foundation of the Kingdom is not found in the stones cut by human hands, but in the power of the Gospel, the very Stone that was cut without hands. This truth is universal, whether you are a Latter-day Saint, a Christian of a different tradition, or a seeker of the divine.

The True Gathering Place

The world keeps drawing lines—dividing land, people, and belief. But the Kingdom movement, the gathering of Israel, teaches us that our ultimate gathering place is the unity of the Church, centered on Christ. Our efforts on the GatherIsrael.now map are not merely tracking denominational markers; they are tracking the faithful efforts of those who refuse to let the world's divisions paralyze their devotion. We are building a spiritual architecture of unity.

This mission is a collaborative enterprise. It requires more than just prayer; it requires resources. It requires the generosity of the Charity Flywheel. Every moment of engagement here—your time, your study, your support—is a contribution that funds the gospel advertisements in Ghana, helping the seeds of the Gospel take root in new fields. This is how the Kingdom moves, through the selfless stewardship of those who believe in the ultimate gathering.

Our Covenant Action

As we process the immense complexity of global history, let us anchor our focus on the eternal principles. If we feel lost in the noise of the world's conflict, we must turn to the established sources of truth. We encourage you to use the study tools at your disposal:

• Outback Jack: Turn to the deep counsel of Alma 17–19 and D&C 4, remembering that the greatest strength comes from covenants kept and covenants understood.
• Davee and Ask a Prophet: Let the counsel of the prophets guide your understanding, always citing the source so we can build our knowledge on solid ground.

To those who are ready to move from contemplation to action, we invite you to participate in the Missionary Fund. This fund is the load-bearing structure that sustains the work of the gathering, ensuring that the light of the Gospel shines brightly enough to guide all Builders to the covenant path. Do not let the noise of earthly discord distract you from the eternal promise of the gathering.

"...and that the knowledge of the Lord shall be upon you, that ye may build up the kingdom of God..."

Let us continue to be the Builders. Let us gather.