“The Middle Wall of Partition”

The Atonement of Jesus Christ not only breaks down barriers between us and God, it also breaks down barriers between people.

Paul reminds the Ephesians, many of whom must have been Gentiles, that they used to be completely separate from Paul’s people, the Jews. “But now in Christ Jesus,” he writes, “ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity,” (Ephesians 2:13-14).

When Jesus visited the American continent, He urged the people to eliminate all contention. (See 3 Nephi 11:29.) He prayed that they might be “one” (3 Nephi 19:23, 29). As a result of His visit, the people stopped categorizing each other, and all contention ceased. Mormon says, “They were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God” (4 Nephi 1:17). The partitions which had once divided them were gone!

Elder Dale G. Renlund challenged members of the church to find that same unity:

Let us follow the example of Saints from around the world who are successfully becoming disciples of Christ. We can rely on Jesus Christ, who “is our peace, who … hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his [atoning sacrifice] the enmity.” Our witness of Jesus Christ to the world will be strengthened, and we will remain spiritually healthy. I testify that as we “shun contention” and become “like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith,” His peace will be ours.

“The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” General Conference, October 2021

Today, I will allow the grace of Jesus Christ to break down barriers between myself and other people. I will avoid contention and seek for unity. I will remember that the Savior can reconcile me not only to His Father but also to other people.