Proclaim Peace

For this 3 part bonus mini series, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Aaron Dorfman of A More Perfect Union to explore the experiences of Latter-day Saints as a minority community, especially in the wake of recent events that highlight the challenges faced by religious minorities. They reflect on the importance of understanding the dynamics of being part of a smaller faith community, particularly outside of Utah,...

For this 3 part bonus mini series, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Nealin Parker from Common Ground to reflect on recent tragic events affecting the Latter-day Saint community, including the death of President Nelson and a horrific attack on a local ward that resulted in multiple fatalities. As they process these heavy developments, they discuss the emotional toll on church members and the broader implications...

In this special live recording of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hostJennifer Thomas is joined by repeat guest Chad Ford to discuss the impact of recent events on their community and the importance of fostering peace amid fear and conflict. Chad shares insights from his research on conflict mediation, emphasizing how fear can hinder collaboration and peace-building. The conversation highlights the significance of showing up for one an...

In this bonus episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, host Jennifer Thomas explores the challenges of political engagement in the face of slow or no change. Jennifer shares her conversation with Julie Rose on the Uncomfy podcast, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in peacemaking. The discussion highlights how discomfort is often a necessary part of fostering understanding and building relationships that contribute to a belov...

In the final episode of Season 1 of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon and the principles of the gospel that promote peacebuilding. Join them as they celebrate their journey and the pursuit of becoming better peacemakers.

[00:02:45] Podcast origins and purpose.

[00:04:40] Peacemaking through sacred texts.

[00:08:44] Commitment to peace building.

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In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Scott Rasmussen from Interfaith America to reflect on their journey through the Book of Mormon as they approach the series' conclusion. They share their insights on how this process has transformed their understanding of the Book of Mormon, particularly the final book, Moroni, revealing unexpected changes in their perspectives....

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason explore a broader understanding of peace and peacemaking. They emphasize the importance of expanding the conversation to include diverse perspectives and forms of peace. Joining them is Dr. Jeannie Johnson, a popular professor of political science at Utah State University and director of the Groundbreaking Center for Anticipatory Intelligence. Dr...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Rosalynde Welch to dive into the Book of Ether, a lesser-known book within the Book of Mormon. They discuss its unique historical context and the challenges it presents, while highlighting its valuable lessons for peacemaking. The conversation centers on the importance of making thoughtful decisions during difficult times, emphasizi...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Bellweather International founder Rachel Miner to tackle the difficult and sobering topic of genocide. They emphasize the importance of peace builders acknowledging and confronting the realities of evil and suffering in the world. Jennifer highlights that a key trait of peace builders is the ability to mourn and lament for those aff...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason continue their exploration of peacemaking principles derived from the gospel and the Book of Mormon. They share thoughts from the last words of the prophet Mormon, emphasizing how the Book of Mormon serves as a vital connection during turbulent times. The conversation highlights the scriptures' candid approach to conflict, illustrating a ran...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason continue their three-part series on Zion by diving into the profound teachings found in 4th Nephi. They discuss the significance of taking a deeper look at the elements that define a Zion community, emphasizing the unique contributions each individual can bring. They are joined by guest Andrew Bolton from the Community of Christ to share the impo...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason delve into the principles of building Zion, drawing insights from the small yet impactful book of Fourth Nephi in the Book of Mormon. They reflect on the profound message this scripture holds and the importance of creating a harmonious community among “ites.” The hosts discuss the necessity of building Zion in a way that resonates with their own ...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by Melinda Brown to introduce a three-part series focused on the concept of Zion. They emphasize the importance of striving to build Zion as a means to achieve true and lasting peace in a world often filled with conflict and despair. They reflect on the current state of society, acknowledging the challenges and imperfections we face, w...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by BYU-Hawaii professor David Whippy to  reflect on the New Year and their renewed commitment to peacemaking. They discuss the importance of the teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the Sermon on the Mount and its counterpart in the Book of Mormon, known as the Sermon at the Temple. They share thoughts on what it truly means to...

In the last episode of the year, we reflect on the meaning of peace during the Christmas season. Patrick asks a thought-provoking question about the Christmas story from Luke Chapter 2: Did the heavenly host's proclamation of "peace on earth" truly hold meaning, given that Jesus's birth did not end wars or family conflicts? Tune in to hear excerpts from this year’s podcast guests answering this question and prep...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by professor Grant Madsen to discuss what we learn from the Book of Mormon about how institutions promote peace and foster positive society. Together, they explore how modern politics, growing distrust of institutions, and society’s evolution shape their understanding of peace and the importance of having faith in our best institutions...

In this episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason welcome back Chad Ford to discuss Christ-led peacemaking in the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election. They reflect on the implications of the election results and how they relate to the principles of the gospel and the teachings of 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Jen shares insights from her extensive work in politics and the conversation...

In this special episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason discuss what the Book of Mormon teaches us about choosing peaceful leadership in light of the upcoming presidential election in the United States. Acknowledging the current political climate, they reflect on the fatigue and tension many are feeling due to the election process. This episode aims to provide listeners with insights and consi...

In this milestone 20th episode of the Proclaim Peace Podcast, hosts Jennifer Thomas and Patrick Mason are joined by peace scholar Elray Henriksen as they dive into the latter portion of the Book of Mormon, often referred to as the "war chapters" of Alma. The episode explores the extensive battle narratives between the Nephites and Lamanites, highlighting memorable characters such as Captain Moroni and Pahoran. The hosts d...