“Locking arms for Racial Harmony in America: What the NAACP and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing together” – Protecting Our Brothers and Sisters

Co-Written and Approved by President Russell M. Nelson, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Chairman Leon Russell and Emeritus Chairman Reverend Amos C. Brown

June 8, 2020 Press Conference Speech

“We share deep sorrow for the senseless, heinous act of violence that needlessly took the life of George Floyd. We mourn with his family, friends and community. We likewise look on with sadness at the anger, hate, contempt and violence spilling onto America’s streets, devastating cities across the nation, and creating fear and anxiety in citizens across this great land.

The wheels of justice should move fairly for all. Jesus of Nazareth came that we might have life, and have it “more abundantly.” We should follow His example and seek for an abundant life for all God’s children. This includes protecting our brothers and sisters who have been wronged and bringing to justice those who have taken life or broken the law, thus robbing others of an abundant life.

…We also invite people of goodwill everywhere to look for ways to reach out and serve someone of a different background or race. Everyone can do something.

Prejudice, hate and discrimination are learned. Thus, we call on parents, family members, and teachers to be the first line of defense. Teaching children to love all, and find the good in others, is more crucial than ever. Oneness is not sameness in America. We must all learn to value the differences.

…We likewise remind everyone that we must renounce illegal acts such as looting, destruction, and defacement of public or private property. Never has one wrong been corrected by a second wrong. Evil has never been resolved by more evil. Arm in arm and shoulder to shoulder, may we strive to lift our brothers and sisters everywhere, in every way we can. We first linked arms as friends and have now locked arms in love and brotherhood.”