Apostle shares insight from Martin Luther King Jr.

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What a Latter-Day Saint Apostle Said About Martin Luther King Jr.’s Insight on the Good Samaritan

Elder Gary E. Stevenson was in Washington on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the inauguration of President Donald Trump, part of a longstanding, nonpartisan tradition of inaugural participation by senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On Tuesday, he was Provo, Utah, to give a BYU devotional, and he shared the Rev. Dr. King’s incisive commentary about the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Elder Stevenson was talking about President Russell M. Nelson’s teachings about peacemakers when he referred to the Rev. Dr. King.

Here’s what Elder Stevenson told 10,202 BYU students and members of the faculty and staff:

“In order to further teach this principle, I share a very familiar parable with an interpretation that might not be so familiar.

“Martin Luther King Jr., whom we honored with a national holiday yesterday, often referred to the parable of the Good Samaritan in his speeches to illustrate themes of peace, love and social justice. One of his most notable mentions of this parable was in his speech titled, ‘I’ve Been to the Mountain Top,’ delivered in Memphis, Tennessee, on the day before his assassination.

“In this speech, he interprets the New Testament parable to emphasize the importance of selflessness, regardless of circumstances. Here’s a quote from that speech:

“‘The first question that the priest and the Levite asked was, if I stopped to help this man, what will happen to me? But ... the Good Samaritan reversed the question, if I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?’

“So Reverend King used this reversal to challenge one to extend concern beyond personal consequence and take action in the face of injustice for the betterment of the whole. These Christlike attributes are central to the role of peacemaker.

“A peacemaker must consider the needs of the other as much or more than their own. This perspective of peacemaker not only calls for individual responsibility, but it underscores our connection to all people.”

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About the Church

President Russell M. Nelson welcomed the Portuguese and Dominican Republic ambassadors to the United States to Temple Square. (See photos below.)

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Thousands of Latter-day Saint youth joined Young Women and Young Men leaders over five days to pack 1 million meals for those experiencing food insecurity in Utah.

The First Presidency set a March groundbreaking date for the Birmingham England Temple. It also released site location details for the Huntsville Alabama Temple.

Church leaders broke ground for the Tacloban City Philippines Temple.

What I’m Reading ...

Five-star recommendations: Three historians have shared real insights about the fictional representations of western and Latter-day Saint history in “American Primeval.” First, the managing director of the Church History Department wrote about who Brigham Young really was. Then a second historian provided a list of what is fact and what is fiction and wrote about why the show left her feeling confused and frustrated. Finally, a Native American historian wrote about how he reconciles difficult history with the storytelling of Hollywood.

OK, this article is terrific: It’s behind a paywall, but if you can read it, it is great insight into Latter-day Saint and Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s teaching and leadership styles. It centers on a 3x5 card he keeps at his desk with just two words, “Don’t judge.” The piece shows how that principle has allowed Travis Kelce to flourish. Then there was a free article on another site that shows how Kelce influences the rest of the team for good.

A BYU graduate and “unflappable” Latter-day Saint is President Trump’s front man on trade.

A former BYU runner, Connor Mantz, just set the American record for the half marathon.

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Behind the Scenes

President Russell M. Nelson (left) presents Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal (right) with a Book of Mormon during a visit in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

President Russell M. Nelson (left) welcomes Ambassador Sonia Guzmán of the Dominican Republic (right) during a visit in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)