Judge Thomas B. Griffith, who served on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, delivered remarks focused on the Constitution as part of BYU Law’s Peacemakers Needed lecture
series. Judge Griffith defined today’s polarized political environment as an existential crisis, asking “What can we do to build trust in our democracy?” His suggestions for all citizens: (1)
express confidence in our election system; (2) respect the judiciary—read judicial opinions to discover their nonpartisan, careful reasoning; (3) look to the example of moderates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention who were willing to compromise for the sake of unity. Judge Griffith offered a further admonition to Latter-day Saints to heed both President Oaks’s directive to seek
to moderate and unify on contentious issues and President Nelson’s reminder that true disciples of Christ are peacemakers.
