In this hustle bustle world of materialism and uncertainty, when stress is high and morale is low, it is often hard for us to take time out away from the world and stop to smell the roses. People are conflicted in their ideas of life and religion, so many search for truth in a lying world. Many go through life without the peace that the gospel brings in their lives. When King Mosiah’s sons go to preach the gospel, it is written of them, “And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace.”1 “Publishing peace” is, in essence, the purpose and intention of missionary work.
About two years ago a new girl my age joined our ward. She was easy-going and amiable, and in time we became very good friends. It was only after a long acquaintance with her that I began to learn more and more about her life. Kelly* was four years old when her father left their family and her mother was forced to find work to sustain herself, Kelly, and Kelly’s older brother. He floated in and out of their lives, only around just enough for Kelly to realize how he didn’t care about them and wasn’t willing to support them. She grew up hating her father and resenting his non-involvement in her life. Then when she was sixteen, Kelly’s father was diagnosed with cancer and died within two months. This time was especially hard for Kelly because she continued to carry a grudge against her father even while he was dying, and refused to see or contact him in any way. A few months later a couple of young men in suits and nametags knocked on Kelly’s door. Through the influence of loving family members Kelly was able to take the discussions and finally decided to get baptized. Before she was baptized, Kelly learned about repentance and the importance of forgiveness. Kelly told me later that it was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life, but she decided she was going to find it in herself to forgive her father and all the sorrow he had brought on her family. She said that the moment she came out of the waters of baptism, she felt more peace than ever before. The bitterness was gone, replaced by a peaceful feeling and she knew she had done the right thing. The peace that Kelly felt was the Holy Ghost testifying of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
Our prophets, past and present, have always “published peace” by teaching us truth and helping us to walk in the ways of righteousness. In his General Conference address last October, Elder David A. Bednar spoke of three ways for us to make our prayers more meaningful: by counseling with the Lord, expressing heartfelt gratitude, and praying for others2. At the time I was feeling discouraged, homesick, and stressed out, so I decided to apply these principles to my personal prayer. I started by expressing heartfelt gratitude, and I found so many things to be grateful for that I no longer was worried about the things I had to do. I felt peace and knew that that comfort came from the Holy Ghost. Later when I was reading my scriptures, one struck me in particular because it testified of my experience: “And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!”3 The Hebrew word for “publish” also means “cheerful” and to “announce glad tidings.” How true these connotations are in the context of the gospel: that the prophets preach good tidings to us in such a cheerful, positive way, and if we heed their counsel, we too can feel peace.
The best example we have of peace is in Jesus Christ. In Mosiah 15, Abinadi testifies to King Noah and his wicked priests of the nature of God, and he quotes Isaiah 53 to them: “For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people.”4 Christ is the “founder of peace” because he saved us, his people, from death and destruction when we could not save ourselves. In Hebrew the word for peace is “Shalom,” which also means “safety,” and “friendly.” What better friend do we have than Jesus Christ, and what better source of safety? When Christ was born, and the angels in the heavens declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”5, they were proclaiming that the Prince of Peace had come to earth.
Soon before his crucifixion, Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” 6 He has not left us alone: missionaries and prophets proclaim his gospel, the gospel of peace. I know that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know that true peace can be found in him. He is our Savior and because of his divine sacrifice for us we can be forgiven of our sins and feel that peace in our lives. In his name, amen.
*Name has been changed
Works Cited:
1. Mosiah 27:37
2. Bednar, David A. “Pray Always.” Ensign, November 2008.
3. Mosiah 15: 14
4. Mosiah 15:18
5. Luke 2:14
6. John 14:27
7. Isaiah 9:6
About two years ago a new girl my age joined our ward. She was easy-going and amiable, and in time we became very good friends. It was only after a long acquaintance with her that I began to learn more and more about her life. Kelly* was four years old when her father left their family and her mother was forced to find work to sustain herself, Kelly, and Kelly’s older brother. He floated in and out of their lives, only around just enough for Kelly to realize how he didn’t care about them and wasn’t willing to support them. She grew up hating her father and resenting his non-involvement in her life. Then when she was sixteen, Kelly’s father was diagnosed with cancer and died within two months. This time was especially hard for Kelly because she continued to carry a grudge against her father even while he was dying, and refused to see or contact him in any way. A few months later a couple of young men in suits and nametags knocked on Kelly’s door. Through the influence of loving family members Kelly was able to take the discussions and finally decided to get baptized. Before she was baptized, Kelly learned about repentance and the importance of forgiveness. Kelly told me later that it was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life, but she decided she was going to find it in herself to forgive her father and all the sorrow he had brought on her family. She said that the moment she came out of the waters of baptism, she felt more peace than ever before. The bitterness was gone, replaced by a peaceful feeling and she knew she had done the right thing. The peace that Kelly felt was the Holy Ghost testifying of the truthfulness of the Gospel.
Our prophets, past and present, have always “published peace” by teaching us truth and helping us to walk in the ways of righteousness. In his General Conference address last October, Elder David A. Bednar spoke of three ways for us to make our prayers more meaningful: by counseling with the Lord, expressing heartfelt gratitude, and praying for others2. At the time I was feeling discouraged, homesick, and stressed out, so I decided to apply these principles to my personal prayer. I started by expressing heartfelt gratitude, and I found so many things to be grateful for that I no longer was worried about the things I had to do. I felt peace and knew that that comfort came from the Holy Ghost. Later when I was reading my scriptures, one struck me in particular because it testified of my experience: “And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!”3 The Hebrew word for “publish” also means “cheerful” and to “announce glad tidings.” How true these connotations are in the context of the gospel: that the prophets preach good tidings to us in such a cheerful, positive way, and if we heed their counsel, we too can feel peace.
The best example we have of peace is in Jesus Christ. In Mosiah 15, Abinadi testifies to King Noah and his wicked priests of the nature of God, and he quotes Isaiah 53 to them: “For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people.”4 Christ is the “founder of peace” because he saved us, his people, from death and destruction when we could not save ourselves. In Hebrew the word for peace is “Shalom,” which also means “safety,” and “friendly.” What better friend do we have than Jesus Christ, and what better source of safety? When Christ was born, and the angels in the heavens declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”5, they were proclaiming that the Prince of Peace had come to earth.
Soon before his crucifixion, Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” 6 He has not left us alone: missionaries and prophets proclaim his gospel, the gospel of peace. I know that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and I know that true peace can be found in him. He is our Savior and because of his divine sacrifice for us we can be forgiven of our sins and feel that peace in our lives. In his name, amen.
*Name has been changed
Works Cited:
1. Mosiah 27:37
2. Bednar, David A. “Pray Always.” Ensign, November 2008.
3. Mosiah 15: 14
4. Mosiah 15:18
5. Luke 2:14
6. John 14:27
7. Isaiah 9:6
8 comments:
I loved the two experiences you shared, with your friend and yourself. They really put the concept in context and practice.
You drive your point in very strong. It can be difficult to forgive those that cause severe damage to you, but in forgivness, you prove to be greater than that.
Thank you for your personal experience and testimony of missionary work.
I loved how you shared how easy it was to think of things to be grateful for when you really took the time to think. I had a similar experience at the beginning of the semester and it is so true! Thank you for sharing these thoughts!
i really like your introduction. it is a nice set up into your blog and got me thinking right away. good job!
Ariane- I am so happy your friend could forgive her father. I know it will bring her peace forever, now that she has made the decision to do that. Loved your blog
I really liked your blog, especially your story about your friend. I know how hard it can be to forgive a family member who has done serious wrong to ones you love. But as you said, there is no greater joy or so great a feeling of being free once you are able to forgive the individual and no longer carry that grudge around with you.
I liked the insight that if we follow the prophet's counsel we can obtain peace of mind. I also liked your comments on how Christ is the founder of peace and our best friend. Thanks for a great blog!
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