REXBURG—On Wednesday, May 27, President Alvin F. Meredith III, President of BYU – Idaho, spoke to students involved with the Interfaith Leadership Society to share the need as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to unite with people from other faiths to build each other up.
“I think in the times in which we live, it is more imperative that we join forces with people that are believers,” President Meredith said.
Latter-day Saints may feel the need to always be sharing the gospel and to change those around them, but President Meredith’s answer to a student’s question offers clear advice on the power of loving people first and then letting God guide them in their lives.
“Don’t try to take advantage of anything, just love her, the lord's timetable is much different than ours, he is a merciful, eager, savior and redeemer” said, President Meredith.
Loving people first seemed to be the main message to have interfaith relationships with others. The Interfaith Society’s purpose is to help all BYU-Idaho students learn how to connect with other faiths without proselytizing.
"There is a time to proselyte, and there is a time not to proselyte. Sometimes you got to know when to take the black name tag off and just love your neighbor, and that’s what we want students to learn how to do. And it's not that we are telling them, don’t preach the gospel, don’t share the gospel, we are just saying, let’s just focus on loving people and let’s see where that leads us.” Said Brother Ryan Gardner, Faculty Instructor over the Interfaith Leadership Society.
The Interfaith Leadership Society gathers on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month holding activities such as visiting other religious sites, places of worship and meeting with religious leaders.
They have met with Buddhists, Baháʼís, Episcopalians, Seventh-day Adventists and have gone to a Muslims Mosque, Jewish synagogue, as well as many churches of other faiths. They’ve connected with people all over the southeast Idaho region.
President Meredith has an invitation to the students of BYU-Idaho, and community to do so as well.
“If I had an invitation to the community at BYU-Idaho and southeastern Idaho, to ask that question, how can we be peacemakers how we can be bridge builders and work with those that have faith.”
For more information about the Interfaith Leadership Society find them in the Taylor Building, room 140, every other Wednesday, from 7-8pm.
For BYU-Idaho Radio, I’m Valeria Coles.