Book Review—The Anatomy of Peace—An Antidote to War

Before presenting my review, I would like to report some good news that sheds light on our world of darkness.  In the wake of the unprovoked attack on the LDS church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, one of its members (Mr. Dave Butler), started an online fund-raising campaign for the family of the attacker, who was killed at the scene and had left behind a wife and young child.

It took only two hours to raise $7,000.  By the 12-hour mark, the total reached $100,000.  By Friday last, more than $300,000 had been raised, much of it donated by Latter-day Saints.

The messages attached to the gifts were extraordinary.  One donor wrote:  "We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are Christians.  As Christians and followers of Christ, we 'mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God.'  We're praying for you and your family."

Another wrote: "We are heartbroken as we think of what you are going through.  You are loved and precious, just as much as any other family.  We hope that you will have everything you need, both now and in the years to come."

While I have not written the following (by New York Times' columnist David French) it expresses my sentiments exactly: "It would be understandable for members of the church to look at the suspect's family with suspicion, to wait for more facts before they showered the suspect's family with love and support.  After all, it's only human to ask questions.  Did she know anything? Could she have stopped him?

"But no.  In true imitation of Christ,  who -- according to Christian theology -- died for us while we were still sinners, Latter-day Saints did not wait to pour out their love.  The just gave it, unconditionally to a family they did not know."

CHARLIE KIRK'S WIDOW SPEAKS

The other story of Good News was reported in the Oct 6, 2025, Christian Science Monitor:  "Americans who feel angry or hurt by President Donald Trumps' words and actions -- such as his unsupported accusation that the 'radical left' influenced Charlie Kirk's killer -- might find some calming wisdom in the words of Mr. Kirk's widow.  At the memorial service for the slain conservative activist, Ericka Kirk said she forgives 'that young man' charged with the Sept. 10 assassination.

"Such quick mercy after a crime so calculated and callous was not only for Mrs. Kirk's peace of mind.  Like others who cherish forgiveness as the essence of universal love, she explained the religious origins of her profound choice:

"'I forgave him because it was what Christ did,' the mother of two young children stated.  'The answer to hate is not hate.  The answer we know from the Gospels is love and always love. Love for your enemies and love for those who persecute us.'

"At the very least, Mrs. Kirk's mercy reveals how much she relies on individual spiritual reflection, rather than on a president or other public figure, to influence the country in crisis.  She certainly did not call for the accused killer to be left off the legal hook or to show remorse simply as a result of her forgiveness.  Rather, her reasons served as practical Christian counterpoint to the accused's stated justification for the the shooting, as written in a text message.  'I had enough of (Mr. Kirk's) hatred.'  Her embrace of love helps diminish a common belief in evil as an enviable power."

AN ANTIDOTE TO WAR

What follows is my review of The Anatomy of Peace -- Resolving a Heart in Conflict, which underscores the above message, that real change comes from within:

WHILE THIS BOOK is relatively short (224 pages) and easy to read, the ideas are not simple and require thought and ongoing self-examination. The goal is to develop a peaceful heart, and thereby change your world for the better.

There’s nothing new here: The Golden Rule still applies. The same ideas are found in The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. But they are presented in a fresh and quite doable way.

Most people do not have a peaceful heart, which inevitably results in conflict. The authors refer to this as “a heart-of-conflict.” Such people—and that’s most of us—think of themselves first. No matter how well meaning, people with a heart-of-conflict fool themselves.

For example: “. . . most who are trying to put an end to injustice only think of the injustices they believe they themselves have suffered. Which means that they are concerned not really with injustice but with themselves. They hide their focus on themselves behind the righteousness of their outward cause.”

The author’s central message: real change comes from within. In order to change the world, we must first change ourselves. This means adopting a heart-of-peace, which the authors’ show us how to do. It requires reflection, perhaps a lifetime of reflection. But what better way to spend your time on earth than to rid yourself of selfishness and hate by nurturing a peaceful heart? It’s the antidote to war.

The book’s message is timeless, and necessary if our world is ever to live in peace.

For more, check out Ephesians 3:19, John 1:15, and I Thessalonians 5:17.

- END -