Today we’re sharing Arthur Brooks’ keynote from Restore. This message was so powerful; it will stop you in your tracks, and feels so essential for this exact moment. We believe it needs to be heard everywhere— in our homes, our communities, and across the country—so we’re sharing it with you now.
This year we gathered at Utah Valley University for Restore, where just two weeks earlier Charlie Kirk was assassinated while addressing a large crowd. So soon after such horrific violence, the campus itself carried a real weight of grief and uncertainty. Arthur walked straight into that heaviness with so much clarity and conviction—and called us toward a powerful vision of moral courage and discipleship.
His message was bold. He confronted unflinchingly what’s really breaking us apart—not political division, but the deeper poison of contempt. And then he challenged us with this: Moral courage isn’t standing up to the people you disagree with; moral courage is standing up to your own side on behalf of those you disagree with.
Arthur says tolerance and civility are too low a bar. The real standard is much higher. It’s the Sermon on the Mount. It’s loving our enemies—not as a feeling, but as radical, concrete, countercultural action.
Arthur wove together science, story, faith, and humor into something deeply personal and urgently needed. His challenge was clear: if we want a different kind of country, we have to become a different kind of people.
This felt like a spark. Now the work of discipleship begins.
We also want to mention that you can watch and share this presentation as a YouTube video. Arthur is a super engaging presenter and we strongly recommend that you watch this one.
PREORDER THE RESTORE RECORDINGS!
If you missed Restore, we’ve got you covered. You can purchase the full general session recordings to hear your favorite speakers anytime at faithmatters.org/restore. If you purchased a ticket to Restore (of any kind) the recordings are included—we’ll send them to you as soon as they’re edited and ready. And here is a link to view the virtual Restore art gallery. You can support The Compass by purchasing art!
LEARN PRACTICAL PEACEMAKING SKILLS AT REPAIR
We’re excited to announce that the first-ever Waymakers conference, REPAIR, is taking place October 23–25 in Provo, Utah. This is such an incredible opportunity to learn from world-class peacemakers leading intensive workshops to help us navigate the most challenging situations in our lives. If you feel frustrated or hopeless about a conflict in your life, bring it to REPAIR.
This year we’re featuring a keynote from Jim Ferrell as well as a series of intimate workshops from The One America Movement, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Patrick Mason, Melisson Mason, Thomas McConkie, LaShawn Williams, and many more.
President Russell M. Nelson's Legacy of Peace
To commemorate President Russell M. Nelson’s 101st birthday, Faith Matters brought together prominent journalists and activists for a conversation in Washington D.C. about his legacy as a peacemaker and how Latter-day Saints can continue his work.
STUDY “COME FOLLOW ME” WITH FAITH MATTERS
What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ?
How can God order all things for my good? What does it mean to be humble? What does true conversion mean? What does it look like to be a servant of Christ? How can I love more?
Why wards? Why Church?
What does it mean to offer "refuge from the storm"? What is the value of being organized into wards? Why do Church? Why sacrifice? Why tithing?
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