Former Primary General Presidency member speaks on peace and optimism in BYU-Idaho devotional

Gayle M. Clegg, a former second counselor in the Primary General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught Brigham Young University-Idaho students about peace, prayer and optimism in a devotional address July 11.

Clegg began by sharing a story about receiving a fishing pole from her husband, Cal, in the hopes that she would learn how to be a great fisherman.  What Clegg remembers most about the beginning of her marriage are the quiet moments she and her husband spent on riverbanks.

"In the first few days of our marriage as Cal and I sat and listened to the water running and the bird's melodies, we shared our dreams of the future," Clegg said.  "We imagined and hoped.  We knelt in a lovely verdant green forest and thanked our Heavenly Father for the life we were beginning. We invoked His blessings on our righteous desires.  The river spoke peace to our hearts."

As Clegg and her husband faced challenges, they relied on the love of the Lord, which flowed like a continuous river, Clegg said.  "What does it take for a river to run continuously?  A source.  A reliable and a good one," Clegg said.

While Clegg's husband served as a mission president in Portugal, they were able to see changes in the lives of each of the 350 missionaries they worked with who chose Christ as their source.  "They came to love those they served better.  And as they continued to serve Him, they came to love Him even more," Clegg said.  "Peace was a blessing that we saw come into the lives of these ‘peaceable followers of Christ,' our dear missionaries."

Before reading the words of the Latter-day Saint hymn "Where Can I Turn For Peace?" Clegg gave a definition of peace.  "Peace is centered in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is knowing that God lives and loves us and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer... When we are confronted with challenges, a loving Savior grants unto us a peace that extends beyond this mortality and into eternity," Clegg said.

Several years ago, when Clegg's family lived in a South American country during a time of political insecurity, they took comfort in the dedicatory blessing Elder Clegg left on the home.  Although Elder Clegg was absent from his home, he often prayed for the family to feel the peace and love of the Savior within the walls of their home, Clegg said.

"Sometimes our neighbors and friends were fearful," Clegg said.  "I can't say we didn't at times feel the same, but as we gathered in prayer, we felt the reality of the words of the Savior:  ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' (John 14:27)"

Clegg mentioned the strength that prayer was to the Nephites as they battled the Lamanites, found in the war chapters of the Book of Mormon.  During her and her husband's own time of weakness in preparing for their mission to Portugal, they felt power in knowing the Lord would help them perform His work.

Clegg concluded by talking about happiness and how choosing to be happy will bring us peace.

"If we want our own children to understand and experience the happiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will need to see their parents happy as they try to live it," Clegg said.

We can also find happiness in losing ourselves in the service of others, Clegg said.  She then gave a solution for those who are looking for happiness but having a hard time finding it.

"Let the Lord's plan work more fully in our lives.  We need to allow the light of the gospel to lift us and calm our spirits and bring us peace... Today is the only day we have to go and do and become a better disciple of the Savior," Clegg said. "Rather like a drop of water, make the most of your journey each and every day.  You can't return to the opportunities of yesterday, but you can learn from them."

Next week's devotional speaker will be Darwin B. Christenson, president of the Oakland California Temple.  Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel and Kirkham Auditorium.  Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.