Communicating Peace by Jill Ashby

“Peace [is] 'harmony within one’s self, and with God and man'” (1). I really like that description. “Harmony” makes me think of a choir, and how balanced the singers have to be in order to have good harmony. In True to the Faith it reads, “Many people think of peace as the absence of war. But we can feel peace even in times of war, and we can lack peace even when no war is raging. The mere absence of conflict is not enough to bring peace to our hearts” (2). We are all striving for peace. First we must take a look at ourselves spiritually, and then look heavenward. Once we've attained that peace of mind, then is the time to proclaim it.

The very first thing we need to do to acquire peace is to look inwardly. Self-evaluation can be a difficult task, but it is essential for spiritual growth. President Ezra Taft Benson counseled, "The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way" (3). We cannot expect to have peace unless we're willing to work for it. In Doctrine and Covenants, it reads “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come” (4). A more specific way to acquire peace in our hearts is through hope. Faust tells a story of a women who exemplified this hope. He explains, “Peace comes through hope” and she expresses how she had never experienced any kind of peace like it and felt closer to Heavenly Father than ever before. (5) These acts of looking inward and striving to become a better and a more righteous people is the first step to fully finding peace.

The other way we can receive this feeling of peace is through Christ. He is the ultimate source of peace. Christ teaches, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (6) and “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace” (7). Christ is our only hope for peace. Without Him we would forever be in confusion and pain. Jenny Jordan Frogley sings a song called Peacegiver. The following is a selection of some of the lyrics:

Days that have been,
Days that will come
Seem like a blur,
In the heat of the sun.
And I find when the strain
Is too much to bare
I can't find peace. No!
In anyone anywhere.
The spirit is broken
I'm down on my knees
I seek the One who can offer relief.
Peacegiver (8)

He literally gives us peace. It is His gift to us as long as we are continually striving in righteousness. Because it is Christ that brings peace, we can look to our Father in Heaven to find this peace. President Thomas S. Monson said, “The passport to peace is the practice of prayer. The feelings of the heart, humbly expressed rather than a mere recitation of words, provide the peace we seek. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the wicked King Claudius kneels and tries to pray, but he rises and says, 'My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: /Words without thoughts never to heaven go'” (9). Prayer is absolutely essential to this feeling of inner peace. Even when everything around you is crumbling down, it is still possible to get down on your knees and feel that peace once again.

Once we have felt this peace, how would it be if we didn't share it? In class we discussed Abinadi's preachings to the wicked priests in the Land of Nephi. Isaiah said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (10). The priests were confused and Abinadi goes on to explain it to them. “And these are they (meaning the prophets) who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!” (11). This concept of “publishing peace” really spurred something deep inside of me. It reminded me of an experience I had recently involving Proposition 8. I'm from California, and many of my friends back home very strongly disagree with me on this issue. One friend in particular approached me about it on Facebook. She expressed to me the pain that certain members of her family were experiencing, and very politely, yet strongly, let me know how much she disagreed. At first I had no idea what to say. I took so long that before I knew it another one of my friends had already posted something calling her intolerant. I knew that in order to keep some sense of peace, I needed to respond quickly. After much thought and careful wording I finally responded letting her know that I did not think she was being intolerant, that I hated all the pain it is causing , and then gave my own simple reasoning for being in favor of the proposition. The response I received back was more than I could have imagined. She told me that my response was the nicest she'd received from anyone. We are seriously better friends now, than we ever were to begin with. I share this story because of the excitement I felt to be a “publisher of peace.” I would also like to point out that we do not just “publish” peace, we speak it, “proclaim [it]” (12), write it, blog it, facebook it, or even text it. There are ways for us to spread peace all around us; not even just in word, but in action. True to the Faith reads, “In addition to feeling peace yourself, you can be an influence for peace in your family, your community, and the world. You work for peace when you keep the commandments, give service, care for family members and neighbors, and share the gospel. You work for peace whenever you help relieve the suffering of another” (13). Although there will always be times when we need to fight, peace must come first. Otherwise, we'll never solve anything in this world.

It's interesting to discuss peace rather than happiness and delight. Although peace is implied with joy and delight, it is not always the focus. I have gained a greater appreciation for the peace I have in my heart. I know that it is because if Christ that I feel this peace. I know that I can feel peaceful anytime I want to as long as I get on my knees and pray. I know that he is watching over me and protecting me. Without faith ...there is no peace, only fear. I know that as long as we believe in him, he can take away all our fears. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


1.Romney, Marion G. Tambuli, Feb. 1984, 1–8; or Ensign, Oct. 1983, 3–7
2.True to the Faith. (2004), 113–14
3.Benson, President Ezra Taft. “Purposeful Living,” Listen, A Journal of Better Living, Jan.–Mar. 1955, 19.
4.D&C 59:23
5.Faust, James E. “Hope, an Anchor of the Soul,” Ensign. Nov 1999, 59
6.John 14:27
7.John 16:33
8.Peacegiver by Jenny Jordan Frogley
9.Monson, President Thomas S. “Gifts,” Ensign. May 1993, 59
10.Isaiah 52:7
11.Mosiah 15:14
12.D&C 98:16
13.True to the Faith