"Blessed Are The Peacemakers:for They Shall Be Called The Children of God"

By Ema M Billings

~ President David O. McKay, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, when dedicating BYU-Hawaii said, “from this school will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of Peace internationally." This prophetic counsel has inspired countless students to spread the message of Peace throughout the world. ~

~ This last week the students and faculty attended a PeacePlayers-International forum sponsored by Dr. Chad Ford. As we listened to the speakers, a sweet thought entered my mind: President David O. McKay smiling upon us, from heaven, as two remarkable exemplifiers of Peace opened their hearts and souls with the students of this institution. They are Karen, an Israeli Jew, and Samer, a Palestinian Muslim who work side-by-side, often putting themselves in dangerous situations, to bring Palestinian and Israeli youth together– through the game of basketball. ~

"Blessed Are The Peacemakers (Karen & Samer):
For They Shall Be Called The Children of God

~ Karen and Samer have worked together for the last few years, at the NGO, PeacePlayers International so that children on both sides of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict learn to Peacefully Coexist: “Helping children to create bonds of friendship, through basketball, changes the way they See and Feel about each other,” says Karen and Samer. By playing basketball the kids begin to lose their fears and stereotypes of the “Other.” Once this happens they no longer See each other as enemies rather they See teammates and friends who think and feel, who have families, and who desire to live in Peace as much as they do. ~

Seeing All People, of All Nations, of All Religions, of All Races, and of All Cultures,
As Our Brothers and Sisters.

~ Fifty or more students sat somberly listening while Karen and Samer shared their life stories, heart wrenching stories of pain and suffering, of the displacement of nations, and the loss of life, on both sides— Thoughts, aching thoughts, ran through my mind... These people, who are suffering, in lands far away, are all my brothers and my sisters. If we are to help fulfill the mission of this school; we must join hands with Karen and Samer, who risk their lives, to help innocent children live in harmony. We must help them share their message of Peace ~ http://www.peaceplayersintl.org/

~ Join us to spread Peace throughout the world ~

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This article is dedicated to our Professor, Dr. Chad Ford, for his unwavering and selfless contribution toward the establishment of Peace worldwide; for teaching his students, by his living example, that faith, hope, and charity make Peace Possible. ~ Also, for inviting Karen and Samer, our new friends from the Middle East, to bring their message of Peace and hope to the students of BYU-H. Their willingness to share not only the tragic histories of their homeland, Israel/ Palestine, but also the current state of affairs, in an honest and open way, has deeply touched our hearts.

~ I speak for All of Us, when I say, we will never be the same. ~