Vol. 6, No. 6, 1989

Articles on the New Age

Rick Branch

The headline read "Nauvoo United Methodist Church Dedicates Peace Pole," (Nauvoo Grapevine, May 24, 1989 p. 1). On May 21st of 1989 the United Methodist Church of Nauvoo, Illinois, erected a "Peace Pole next to the front steps of the church," (Ibid, May 17, 1989, p. 2).

The "Peace Pole" is an obelisk with the message "May peace prevail on earth" written in the four languages of English, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. It is the purpose of the "Peace Pole" to be provide a focal point around which the people are to meditate and visualize world peace.

The New Age teaches that should enough people achieve the consciousness of world peace that their peaceful vibration will permeate the consciousness of those who are still practicing violence. While the thought of world peace is a worthwhile concept, it will not be brought to fruition by the meditation and visualization on a "Peace Pole" by sinful man.

Perhaps the most tragic event of all is the fact that this New Age obelisk is found on the property of a Christian church. According to the Nauvoo Grapevine, "There are currently 63,000 peace poles planted in over 123 countries. Approximately 2,000 of these are in the U.S.," (Ibid).

Please pray for Colleen Ralson, Director of the Nauvoo Christian Visitor's Center as she is now faced not only with the task of reaching the Mormons with the true gospel of Christ, but also in explaining why a New Age "Peace Pole" is not compatible with Christianity.