Finding common ground

They helped every one his neighbor, and every one said to his brother [and sister], be of good courage. Isaiah 41:6

Several months ago, in my capacity as Director of Public Affairs for Greater Boston, I met Diane Kessler, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, a statewide partnership of 17 denominations and 17,000 congregations.

What was our objective?

Finding a cause of mutual interest.

At the outset, we knew there would be points on which we wouldn’t agree. But as we spoke, we also knew that, because of our feelings of mutual goodwill, we could find a place of connection.

I knew we were on to something when she started telling me about Take Back Your Time, a national campaign which, guided by a concern about overwork and over-scheduling in American lives, has over the past few years allowed the MCC to strongly advocate for honoring the Sabbath by limiting youth sports and public activities. And thus began our discussions on how we (the institution of the church here in MA) could support their efforts.

As members of the Mormon church, we all have a story about some activity that we haven’t participated in – a birthday party, a soccer league -- because it was held on a Sunday. Sometimes I think Mormons believe that we are the only ones with these experiences. It was wonderful to find out that the MCC cares about this issue too – there are other like-minded people who want to keep the Sabbath holy.

Why do we want to find common ground?

Because we want to make the world a better place – and we can do that more effectively when we partner with our neighbors.

No matter where we live in the world, we can find opportunities to partner to do good. In fact, you may already be on common ground – and don’t realize it. Maybe you are working with parents at your children’s school to raise money. Maybe you are gathering together to cheer on your children in their extra-curricular activities. When we are working together, we are on common ground.

In 2006 the emphasis of Take Back Your Time is on protecting and promoting the evening meal as family time. According to a 2004 Gallup poll, only 28% of American families with children eat together seven nights a week, while the percentage of American families who eat together at least four nights a week – 75% -- is falling steadily, from 79% in 2001 and 83% in 1997.

In the MCC’s press release, they also cite a University of Minnesota study which states that teens who eat five or six meals a week with their families were 7-24% less likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana, drink alcohol, get lower grades, shows signs of depression than the teens who had three to four family meals.

I would argue that the idea of family dinner is of tremendous broad appeal to all families, across boundaries of religion, race, culture and socio-economic status. This is true common ground, where we can meet our neighbors and join with them in support of a very worthy cause.

In his conference talk Doctrine of Inclusion, Elder M. Russell Ballard says, "For the most part, our neighbors not of our faith are good, honorable people—every bit as good and honorable as we strive to be. They care about their families, just like we do. They want to make the world a better place, just like we do."

What initiatives are taking place in your community that you, your family, your auxiliary, ward or stake wants to become involved with?

Who can you partner with to make the world a better place?