Personal Peace (Utah Farewell)

North of Jerusalem, about eighty miles or so, lies the Sea of Galilee. It is a freshwater inland lake a little over twelve miles long and seven miles wide. It was to this lake and the neighboring Galilean hills that Jesus returned so often during his public ministry.

On one journey to Galilee, the Savior taught the multitudes crowded near the water’s edge. Following his discourse, the Savior invited his disciples to join him on a boat, and they set out together for the other side of the lake.

The Sea of Galilee is about 680 feet below sea level. This altitude, or lack thereof, contributes to the lake becoming really hot. The hills surrounding the water, however, rise up to considerable heights. The cold air rushing down from the hills meets the warm air rising from the lake in such a way that sudden and temporarily violent storms can occur on the surface of that inland sea. It was just such a storm that Jesus and his disciples found as they crossed the lake that evening.

The account written by the apostle Mark reads:

“And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 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?” (Mark 4:36-38) 

I learned something very important from Elder Paul V. Johnson,

 "When we face stormy seas and high winds, we may be tempted to ask, 'Carest thou not that we perish?' We know that the Savior has power to calm our storms, but sometimes He calms our souls instead."

After I decided to go on a mission and received my call, I began having feelings of inadequacy, homesickness, and an overall temptation to not accept the call to serve. It seemed like there was just one thing after another getting in the way. It felt like Satan was directly thwarting my efforts to remain positive. With the support of my family and friends, the desire to serve the Lord stayed with me and I was able to identify that the feelings of doubt I was experiencing were messages from Satan.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and I know that he wants me to be happy. I have found personal peace in knowing that the Lord will protect me from the world and from Satan’s temptations, and guide me in my trials as I live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is no news that we all experience trials. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught that our trials can help refine and prepare us to return to our Heavenly home. Unfortunately, we often forget this and like I did so recently, we fall victim to the discouraging words of the devil.

Few, if any, blessings from God are more valuable to our spiritual health than the reward of peace within. In modern-day revelation the Savior said,

“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.” (D&C 59:23)

We know from Alma that, “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” (Alma 32:34)

President Joseph F. Smith taught,

“There is only one thing that can bring peace into the world. It is the adoption of the gospel of Jesus Christ, rightly understood, obeyed and practiced by rulers and people alike. It is being preached in power to all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples of the world, by the Latter-day Saints, and the day is not far distant when its message of salvation shall sink deep into the hearts of the common people, who, in sincerity and earnestness, when the time comes, will not only surely register their judgment against a false Christianity, but against war and the makers of war as crimes against the human race. For years it has been held that peace comes only by preparation for war; the present conflict should prove that peace comes only by preparing for peace, through training the people in righteousness and justice, and selecting rulers who respect the righteous will of the people.”

In a talk entitled The Path to Peace, President Monson suggests three important ideas that inspire personal peace. Search inward, reach outward, and look heavenward.

First, search inward.

Elder Richard L. Evans observed: “To find peace—the peace within, the peace that passeth understanding—men must live in honesty, honoring each other, honoring obligations, working willingly, loving and cherishing loved ones, serving and considering others, with patience, with virtue, with faith and forbearance, with the assurance that life is for learning, for serving, for repenting, and improving. And God be thanked for the blessed principle of repenting and improving, which is a way that is open to us all.” Truly peace will reign triumphant when we improve ourselves after the pattern taught by the Lord.

Second, reach outward.

Membership in the Church calls forth a determination to serve. Service, to be acceptable to the Savior, must come from willing minds, ready hands, and pledged hearts.

This reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures, and a scripture that helped me regain the courage to serve a mission. “Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work.” (D&C 4:3) 

Because, like the prophet has said,

“Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears there may sound the sophistry of Satan as he whispers, “You cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless. You haven’t time to be concerned for others.” Trusting in the Lord, let us turn our heads from such falsehoods and make certain our feet are firmly planted in the path of service and our hearts and souls dedicated to follow the example of the Lord. In moments when the light of resolution dims and when the heart grows faint, we can take comfort from His promise: “Be not weary in well-doing. … Out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” 

(D&C 64:33)

 Sometimes I feel small; I feel like a child who just barely turned 19 (which is true), I feel unprepared for the mission ahead of me, but I find peace and comfort in knowing that if I give the Lord my heart and willing mind, he can accomplish miracles through me.

         Third, look Heavenward.

As we do, we find it comforting and satisfying to communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer, that path to spiritual power—even a passport to peace. We are reminded of His beloved Son, the Prince of Peace, that pioneer who literally showed the way for others to follow. His divine plan can save us from the Babylons of sin, complacency, and error. His example points the way.

Personal peace comes through the adoption of the gospel of Jesus Christ rightly understood, obeyed, and practiced—through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the ministration of the Holy Ghost, and our own righteousness, sincere repentance, and diligent service.

When the Savior was faced with temptation, He shunned it. When offered the world, He declined it. When asked for His life, He gave it. We can all try a little harder every day to be more like the Savior and we can witness the blessings of personal peace in our own lives.

“Peace is more than a lofty ideal. It is a practical principle that, with conscious effort, can become a normal part of our lives as we deal with matters both large and small…” Joseph B. Wirthlin counseled, “My brothers and sisters, we can be at peace if we “let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly.” (D&C 121:45) The power is in us as spirit children of our Heavenly Father. He and his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, have provided the way for us to be at peace. We can enjoy that peace of God which passeth human understanding. (Philip. 4:7) We can enjoy it personally, within our families, in our communities, in our nations, and in our world if we will do the things that produce it. This peace leads to happiness.”

 While I anticipate hard, stressful, disheartening days on my mission, while I expect to often worry about my family, I know that Christ is and has always been a true and present Savior in my life. I know that serving the Lord will always, always lead to peace and comfort in our hearts and minds.

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." (John 20:21)

I feel the peace that comes from Christ. I have a testimony of the divine call of missionaries and I know that Christ says, send I you, Sister Mohler. He has sent me to these people, bearing his love, and I have found a personal peace in knowing that he will help me serve them.

We will face stormy seas and high winds, we may be tempted to ask, “Carest thou not that we perish?” But remember this,