Friday, June 15, 2012

If we will but turn to God


Where Can I Turn for Peace?
Elder Paul V. Johnson
First Quorum of the Seventy
 There are a number of things in this world that cause turmoil and conflict or that can undermine personal peace. War, armed conflict and terrorism are constantly taking their toll somewhere in the world, and crime, gang violence and other illegal activities affect the peace in our cities and towns. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters cause disruptions to peaceful lives, and the quakes in the economies of the world in recent years have left many struggling. 
 Some threats to our peace are more individual. Physical or emotional problems, pain, personal debt, addictions, fear, worry for others, and sins either our own or someone else’s that affect us can seem to obstruct a peaceful outlook in our individual lives. There are two types of peace referred to in the scriptures and which we hope for in our lives as well. One is the absence of war, turmoil and strife between nations, groups or individuals. The other is the inner peace of the soul.
 The ultimate answer to this question is, "To the Prince of Peace." He holds the answers for both types of peace. If we were to look at each item from the list of threats to peace we can see that the complete and final solution for each of those concerns can be found in the Savior Jesus Christ. He can control the elements. He has power to heal individuals and nations. His Atonement makes possible the forgiveness of sins and frees people from afflictions and addictions. His teachings contain the keys to living in peace individually and as a world.
Inner peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” The Savior said, “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” Peace is a gift. We don’t determine the conditions upon which this gift is given. He sets the terms. Sometimes our quest for peace becomes so focused on the peace itself that we forget it is a gift that is one of the fruits of a righteous life. Our best course for finding peace is to live righteously to keep our covenants. This is the only course that leads to that inner peace we all desire. The adversary would tempt us to put all our efforts in directions other than a righteous life in our search for peace, but if we do this we will be disappointed in the end, for that true peace only comes from the Lord as a result of our righteous lives. There are also many worthy pursuits that are good and helpful, but if they take precedence over a worthy life they never lead to that true peace we seek.
With the gift of peace there isn’t a promise that all our problems and challenges will dissolve according to a timeline we set. We can actually have peace in the midst of trials. President Howard W. Hunter said:
“Indifference to the Savior or failure to keep the commandments of God brings about insecurity, inner turmoil, and contention.  These are the opposite of peace.  Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender—surrender to him who is the Prince of Peace, who has power to confer peace.  One may live in beautiful and peaceful surroundings but, because of inner dissension and discord, be in a state of constant turmoil.  On the other hand, one may be in the midst of utter destruction and the bloodshed of war and yet have the serenity of unspeakable peace.  If we look to man and the ways of the world, we will find turmoil and confusion.  If we will but turn to God, we will find peace for the restless soul.”
Think of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. It was hardly a setting naturally conducive to peaceful feelings, particularly in light of the struggles of the saints who had been driven from Missouri. Joseph’s own circumstances and those of his people weighed on his soul and he cried out in anguish to the Lord. The Lord answered by saying, “My son, peace be unto thy soul,” and Joseph was given the gift of peace even though his circumstances didn’t change right away.
Elder Richard G. Scott related a personal experience of a struggle for peace regarding a situation over which he did not have complete control. He said:
“I once had an experience that caused me immense anxiety. I was severely troubled. It had nothing to do with disobedience or transgression but with a vitally important human relationship. I was so overcome with concern that I did something I never do. I left my office early and went home to pray. For some time I poured my heart out to the Lord. Try as I might, I could find no solution, no settling of the powerful stirring within me. I pled for help from that Eternal Father I have come to know and trust completely. I could see no path that would provide the calm that is my blessing to generally enjoy. Sleep overcame me. When I awoke I was totally at peace. I knelt again in solemn prayer and asked, “Lord, how is it done?” In my heart, I knew the answer was His love and His concern for me. That is consummate peace.”
Notice that Elder Scott was troubled by something not brought upon him by his disobedience, but the Lord was able to bestow peace even if the situation wasn’t totally resolved.
Sometimes peace comes in the most trying circumstances. We have each experienced this when we have been in very difficult times trying to do the right things and have been blessed with a powerful feeling of peace and love.
It is comforting to know that we are eligible for this peace if we are faithful and diligent even if others we love choose to wander from the truth including members of our own families.
This pattern of our inner peace being dependent on our own diligence and righteousness is pervasive.  A beautiful verse in Psalms includes the phrase, “…righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Even when we are trying to live a righteous life, if we give in to temptations we can damage the inner peace we want and need. The prophet Nephi lamented that he struggled with this in his life.  He wrote, “…why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?” This is something each of us faces. Nephi mentioned that one thing he struggled with was being angry with his enemies. Each of us is aware of specific temptations we struggle with that open the door for the adversary to have place in our heart. The more we can resist these temptations, the less influence the adversary has to destroy our peace.
 A story from the New Testament highlights the power of the Savior. He was crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples.
“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful?How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
There may be times in our own lives when we are in stormy seas with high winds and our ship may seem to be taking on water. We may be tempted to ask, “Carest thou not that ‘I’ perish?” We know He has the power to calm any storm. Sometimes He calms the actual storms we are facing, but other times instead of calming the wind and sea we face, He instead gives us great calm in our souls. One of the phrases from "Where can I turn for peace?" is "He answers privately." Many times our experience with His great gift of peace is very personal and private and individual. This pattern repeats itself and is found in the scriptures over and over again. A story in the Book of Mormon shows this pattern and also illustrates the connection between faith and hope and feeling peace in our lives.
At one point in the long wars between the Nephites and Lamanites, Helaman was recounting to Moroni the precarious circumstances he and his stripling warriors found themselves in. Because of lack of reinforcements and lack of supplies it looked as if they would be overthrown. He wrote, “We did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies … and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.”
Notice the connection between faith, hope and peace. One reason this inner peace can be so powerful is because of our absolute faith and hope in the power of the Atonement and the power of the Savior. He told His disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
No matter how daunting the challenges are in our lives or in the world around us, we know we can have peace through the power of the infinite Atonement, because Christ overcame the world. Faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement engenders the hope of deliverance and the promise of a better world to come. Using this “eye of faith” to see the fulfilling of the promises deepens the peace within us since we know of the great blessings and relief that await us if we will only remain faithful in this life. Even in troubled times we have a great promise of peace from the Lord. “…he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.”
I testify that our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ love us, and that the great gift of peace in this life is available to each of us. I pray that as each person here strives to follow the Savior, peace will be poured into every heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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