President Nelson speaks at NAACP convention
Jul 22, 2019, 7:27 AM
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson share a laugh with Reverend Theresa Deer and Dr. Amos Brown at the 110th annual national convention for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Detroit on Sunday, July 21, 2019.
DETROIT, Michigan — A first last night– as a President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was invited to speak at the national NAACP convention in Detroit.
President Russell M. Nelson’s remarks were optimistic. He spoke of a goal of improving harmony, that he believes can be achieved by loving each other as neighbors.
“May we go forward doing our best to exemplify the two great commandments — to love God and love each of His children. Arm in arm and shoulder to shoulder, may we strive to lift our brothers and sisters everywhere, in every way we can.”
–@RussellMNelson @NAACP pic.twitter.com/KgbIsOPkTk— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@ChurchNewsroom) July 22, 2019
“Arm in arm and shoulder to shoulder, may we strive to lift our brothers and sisters everywhere in every way we can,” he said.
“We don’t have to be alike or look-alike to have love for each other. If we have any hope of reclaiming the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we yearn, it must begin with each of us, one person at a time,” he said.
President Nelson was introduced on stage by Dr. Amos Brown, a member of the Board of Directors of NAACP.
“As I locked arms with President Nelson, not as black and white, not as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Baptist, but as children of God who are about loving everybody,” he said.
The two men have become friends.
The Church and NAACP are working together on an education initiative in several inner cities. The Church’s self-reliance program has been adapted by the NAACP, to help those who are struggling financially.
