Rusty Nelson is being awarded a copycat Ghandi Mandela peace prize

[Everybody Wang Chung]

The Inaugural Morehouse College Ghandi-King-Mandela Peace Price Citation

Be It Known To All Who Look Upon This Script That

Russell Marion Nelson Sr., MD, Ph.D.

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Is Being Honored

God spoke the world into being with one powerful command: “Let there be light.” And God called humankind to embody and carry forth that light so that the world might forever be illumined in Divine glory.

Because you — Russell Marion Nelson Sr.—carry the light of truth in the great Morehouse leadership tradition, which recognizes the Universal Christ and works for Universal Justice, we are honored to announce you as the inaugural Laureate of the Morehouse College Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize.

As an internationally recognized medical scientist, revered president, prophet, seer, and revelator for the 17-million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

You have continued the legacy of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saints movement and the first nationally recognized religious leader in the United States to advocate for the freedom of enslaved Africans, by affirming racial and ethnic equality, and running for the American presidency on a political platform of “Compensation Emancipation”.

You have worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than create walls of segregation. You have led your great church to link arms with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The United Negro College Fund, Morehouse College and Spelman College to help more people enjoy the light of participatory democracy.

You have inspired your church to radical inclusivity and solidarity by taking a stand for the rights of women and children, and to preserve the intellectual, personal, social, and religious freedoms, and protection of all humankind.

And you have championed the moral cosmopolitan worldview of the religion of Jesus that is a hallowed blueprint for neighbors first, nonviolent human rights struggles around the globe, by serving as a virtue-ethical, exemplar of leadership grown courageous in the 21st century, one human family with the Creator.

For your noble efforts to heal and reunite the broken body of Christ — and for your contributions to help make the scriptural proclamation “God so loved the world…” a tangible reality — Morehouse College salutes you.

In the spirit of our motto, Et Facta Est Lux, which in English means, “And there was Light,” Morehouse gifts you a crystal obelisk — a shaft of light ancient Egyptians called the Ben Ben Stone to commemorate the ancestors and honor the attributes of God.

May it reflect the light within you and inspire continued works of global peace, harmony, and reconciliation.

Testifying to this honor, affirmed and witnessed under the seals of the College and the Chapel, the signatures of duly authorized officers are hereunto affixed, this, Thirteenth Day of April, Two Thousand Twenty-Three, in the City of Atlanta, Per Dominum Nostrum Jesum Christum

So be it! And, So it is!

Willie Woods, MBA
13th Chairman, Morehouse Board of Trustees

David Anthony Thomas, Ph.D.
13th President, Morehouse College

Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., Ph.D.
Founding Dean, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... eace-price

I don’t know what to say.

Is this serious or a parody? It sounds just like a North Korean praising Kim Jong-un.

[Tom]

This must be a photoshopped hoax. Right?

[consiglieri]

Does it feel weird getting an award for doing things you not only didn’t do, but are morally opposed to doing in the first place?

[Dr Moore]

I would wager Kim Clark had a hand in getting this prize awarded to Nelson. Clark was dean at HBS where current Morehouse President David Thomas was a professor from 1990-2011. They overlapped for over a decade on the faculty. With Thomas becoming President of Morehouse in 2018, no doubt Clark would have reached out to congratulate and rekindle an old friendship. Thomas is a bit of a showman, and has been aggressively pushing the school’s biggest capital campaign ever, $500mm. And so this prize in all likelihood was facilitated by Clark, and very likely encouraged by a quiet donation to Morehouse by the church.

[Dr Exiled]

Congrats to Rusty! Now, let's keep the awards coming. I have this new foundation called "The Humble Path" that I want to start and Rusty, you could be on the front cover of our introductory magazine issue! You would be the first recipient of the annual humility award. We want to highlight persons throughout the world that are shining examples of honesty and clean living that don't worship money. Rusty could fit the bill with a one time donation to our leadership club and a generous contribution to our humanitarian fund .... amounts negotiable

Forget the SEC troubles, Rusty! With the humility award given by "The Humble Path" you will continue your resolute journey to reputation rehabilitation. We have right in our mission statement that followers of "The Humble Path" don't worship money and definitely don't hoard it. See, problem solved. All you need to do is point to the the humility award given by the prestigious foundation, "The Humble Path" and no more perception problems. Now how do you wish to make your contribution? We take payment in almost any form you wish.

[Tom]

You have continued the legacy of Joseph Smith Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saints movement and the first nationally recognized religious leader in the United States to advocate for the freedom of enslaved Africans, by affirming racial and ethnic equality, and running for the American presidency on a political platform of “Compensation Emancipation”.

That's not an accurate representation of Joseph Smith's legacy.

You have worked tirelessly to build bridges of understanding rather than create walls of segregation. You have led your great church to link arms with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The United Negro College Fund, Morehouse College and Spelman College to help more people enjoy the light of participatory democracy.

I'd like to know more about the church's efforts to help more people enjoy the light of participatory democracy.

You have inspired your church to radical inclusivity and solidarity by taking a stand for the rights of women and children, and to preserve the intellectual, personal, social, and religious freedoms, and protection of all humankind.

What stands has he taken for the rights of women and children? Has he, for example, denounced oppressive regimes that violate human rights? Has he spoken up in support of nonviolent human rights champions around the world, including political prisoners? What has he done to preserve intellectual, personal, and social freedoms?

And you have championed the moral cosmopolitan worldview of the religion of Jesus that is a hallowed blueprint for neighbors first, nonviolent human rights struggles around the globe, by serving as a virtue-ethical, exemplar of leadership grown courageous in the 21st century, one human family with the Creator.

He has?

For your noble efforts to heal and reunite the broken body of Christ — and for your contributions to help make the scriptural proclamation “God so loved the world…” a tangible reality — Morehouse College salutes you.

What has Nelson done to "heal and reunite the broken body of Christ"?

Has he taken a first step by denouncing the racism of previous LDS presidents and apostles, including their support of segregation and opposition to the civil rights movement? Has he apologized for the priesthood and temple ban and its effects?

Has he apologized for the 2015 policy of exclusion and acknowledged that he was lying when he called it a revelation to Thomas Monson? Has he publicly criticized Jeffrey Holland's "musket" address?

[Bel1954]

Does it feel weird getting an award for doing things you not only didn’t do, but are morally opposed to doing in the first place?

I’d advise to not read this on a full stomach. It does read like a parody.

[Kishkumen]

Meh. Sounds OK to me. If this translates into more LDS contributions to helping young Black people advance their prospects for success, I don't care how phony it seems.

[Moksha]

I suspect John P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller got their fair share of unsolicited awards. It goes with the penthouse.

[drumdude]

Here is his acceptance speech. Not made in person.

https://youtu.be/vgWaoVjCdFw

Dear Reverend Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter, President David A. Thomas, patrons of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and many other distinguished guests. What a privilege it is to join with you on this occasion.

I'm deeply honored to receive Morehouse College's inaugural Gandhi-King-Mandela Peace Prize. The individuals for whom this honor is named establish its significance. Each of these courageous individuals was a pioneer. Each championed human dignity for all men and women. Each lived up to the mission of this renowned chapel that stands as a citadel of peace.

That this distinguished chapel sits on the campus of Morehouse College is also significant. Morehouse College aims to educate students who will strive for academic achievement while also building strong character and high moral values. Thank you for this privilege to be included among those honored by this esteemed institution.

During my earlier career as a heart surgeon, I stood in an operating room thousands of times. I even cared for wounded soldiers in MASH units during the Korean War. I have literally touched the hearts of men and women of many races and nationalities around the world.

My prayers to God for His guiding help and the subsequent inspiration I received from Him were vital in every instance. In those operating rooms where life hung in the balance, I came to know that our Heavenly Father cares deeply for every one of His children. That’s because we are His children. Differences in nationality, color, and culture do not change the fact that we are truly sons and daughters of God. And as a follower and witness of Jesus Christ, I have only come to understand that divine truth more deeply.

Reverend Carter, in your gracious letter of invitation, you recounted Joseph Smith's political platform of compensation emancipation in his run for the American presidency. That was in the year 1844, the very year he gave his life as a martyr. We honor his vision.

Your letter also recounted the courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with his drum major instinct for reuniting the broken body of Christ. Today, we understand in a profound way that no man or woman should be in bondage one to another. Together, we proclaim the nobility of each precious son and daughter of God.

I've stated before and repeat today that racism, sexism, and a host of other -isms are universally and tragically limiting in the way we regard and treat each other. Any abuse or prejudice toward another because of race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, culture, or any other identifiers is offensive to our Maker and defies the first and second great commandments that we should love God with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. We firmly believe in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

I have traveled to 138 countries in my life. I can state without equivocation that God pours out His spirit liberally upon all who seek Him. God does not love one race more than another. His feelings of inclusion are very clear. As recorded in the Book of Mormon, which I esteem as companion scripture to the Holy Bible, the Savior, quote, invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; ... he denies none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; ... all are alike unto God.” Close quotation.

You, in representing this historic chapel, are striving to make this heavenly truth an earthly reality. For that, I commend you most sincerely. We are all connected, very literally, as family. Thus we have a God-ordained responsibility to make life better for each other. We do not have to act alike or look alike to love each other. We can disagree on a matter without being disagreeable. If we have any hope of creating the goodwill and sense of humanity for which we all yearn. It must begin with each of us. One person and one interaction at a time.

May we as sons and daughters of God, as eternal brothers and sisters, do all within our power to build up each other, learn from each other, and demonstrate respect for all of God’s children. May we link arms in love and brotherhood.

Dear friends, I thank you, love you, and pray for you.

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.