Mark the blameless, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable.

[From “Learning from Our Feathered Friends” by Nancy Evans, March 2013 Herald, p. 29]

Four sets of birds (eastern bluebirds, titmice, chickadees, and house finches) are nesting near our garden. As I was planting peppers, a baby titmouse decided to leave the nest.

Out he fluttered…onto the ground right in front of me. I stood perfectly still so as not to frighten him or his frantic parents. I could not believe what happened next.

Within seconds, a pair of fussing cardinals flew to a nearby fence, and then a pair of robins settled near the birdbath. Before I could wonder what was happening, the bluebirds and chickadees assembled nearby. All five pairs of birds were trying to distract me from that baby!

Was I imagining this…a community of different parenting birds all coming to the rescue of a baby chick? By the time I turned back to the baby, he had managed to fly to the nearest tree limb.

I can’t help but compare this experience to my family, neighbors, and church. When one of us is down, the entire community gathers to protect, encourage, and lift. I give thanks for the expression of Blessings of Community and Unity in Diversity as brought through God’s creatures. It was a delightful example of how we can Pursue Peace on Earth.

Prayer Phrase

“In his hand is the life of every living thing” (Job 12:10).

Trees

Watch the trees outside your window for a few moments. Close your eyes and meditate on Alma’s words about seeds and trees. If you were to plant and grow the Word of God in your heart, what tree might symbolically represent this process? Imagine a seed as it grows into a tree of life and blessing. Ask God to show you how to begin (see Alma 16:152–173).

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.