Every now and again, people should do what you did and that is get out of the box, do something very different of what is needed to unite people, to bring harmony.
Go out and change the world. Lift every voice. Russell Marion Nelson Senior, MD, PhD.
In ongoing recognition of Church President Russell M. Nelson’s ministry as a global voice for peace, harmony, and reconciliation,
he was recognized with a distinguished peace prize at historic Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 13, 2023.
Be it known to all who look upon this scrip ... The world leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was presented with the award in a prerecorded video played at the ceremony attended by an overflow audience of more than 2600 people.
Because you, Russell Marion Nelson Senior,
carry the light of truth in the great Morehouse leadership tradition,
which recognizes the universal Christ and works for universal justice,
we are honored to announce you as the inaugural laureate
of the Morehouse College Gandhi- King-Mandela Peace Prize.
It must begin with each of us.
President Nelson truly walks the walk. One of the first things he reminded us that we need to root out racism.
We need to rise above the polarization of this world.
And most recently, he's called on us all to become peacemakers. You have championed the moral cosmopolitan worldview
of the religion of Jesus. That is a hallowed blueprint
for neighbors first, nonviolent human rights struggles around the globe,
by serving as a virtue. ethical exemplar
of leadership grown courageous in the 21st century. God calls it to be so that President Russell Nelson would be
the champion today for social justice, racial reckoning and reconciliation,
and is doing a marvelous job around the world. You have worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding
rather than create walls of segregation.
Well, we're bringing folks together at events like this.
So to convene here this evening to celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to interfaith harmony, to peace, and to justice—
it’s a powerful thing.
The award came with treasured gifts
That is just elegant.
This is the crystal obelisk. This symbolized the creative power of God.
And here are three statements: Let there be light. And there was light.
And the light was good. So you get theology, cosmology.
My favorite scriptures. You're going to receive a medal, a medallion, and the medallion will have on it
the image, the profile of Gandhi, King, and Mandela.
Now, this is a prize that does not carry a purse; it carries a library.
And we have a selection here of books on Gandhi. on
and by Ghandi—about him and by him—and the same for King and for Mandela.
An oil portrait of President Nelson was also inducted in the school's International Hall of Honor, an honor given to dozens of other notable individuals over the chapel's storied history.
We'll walk hand in hand.
In a prerecorded message, President Nelson accepted the award.
I'm deeply honored to receive Morehouse College's inaugural Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize. The Savior invites all to come unto Him. God does not love one race more than another. Differences in nationality, color, and culture do not change the fact that we are truly sons and daughters of God. May we, as eternal brothers and sisters, do all within our power to build up each other, learn from each other, and demonstrate respect for all of God's children.
My take away is: Wow. People seeking and wanting to understand more about Jesus Christ and recognized by Morehouse College—a historically black college here in the South—
And to be right here in this campus, to be in this chapel that speaks of Martin Luther King and his civil rights movement. We are a part of history here, and this is just the beginning of an ongoing effort.
There's something very wholesome and very pleasant about President Nelson.
You get the impression you're dealing with the real deal.