I remember so well one beautiful sunny morning last month when I was preparing for this talk. The air was still and cool; the spring growth on the bushes in the back yard was vibrant green in the dappled sunlight. Blooms on the freshly planted geraniums were round and full; and there was dew on the climbing roses which were laden with luscious, peachy-pink blossoms. As I looked out the dining room window I thought of Robert Browning’s poem, Pippa’s Song
The year’s at the spring,
The day’s at the morn,
Morning’s at seven
The hillside’s dew pearled.
The lark’s on the wing,
The snail’s on the thorn,
God’s in his heaven-
All’s right with the world! [1]
We don’t say that much any more. In fact, I don’t think we say “All’s right with the world” at all. I cherished that peaceful moment more than usual that morning and steeled myself from the headlines in the newspaper describing bombing attacks, tornadoes, bulldozing of homes, political barrages. How I wished the world could share the feelings of peace and serenity I was enjoying at that moment!
Could that happen? For the world, I’m not so sure, though leaders labor to sign peace agreements and establish responsible governments. But could peace come to us, individually? A resounding YES! Changing situations in the world is generally beyond our control, but that is not to say that things we do individually and as families can’t help bring about that peace. We can invite peace into our lives and we can sustain that peace despite turmoil in the country and terror in the world. Today I want to address the inner peace that gives us the courage to make a difference in the lives of those we love, and thus to our extended communities.
Peace comes from within. Think about it. When have you felt peace? It can’t be purchased at the mall or cooked up in the kitchen. It is not transferred easily from one to another, except from the Lord. Jesus Christ promised: “Peace I leave with you, my peace give I unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”[2] Peace is his to give and ours to receive.
I felt peace that morning as I openly appreciated God’s creations outside my window. You don’t have to go far to find peace. Peace comes from searching and pondering the scriptures, from fostering unity within a family, from the cleansing power of forgiveness, from the hard work of daily living, from living righteously, smiling often, finding something – and there is always something – that can point your gaze to the goodness to God.
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."
I was raised at the edge of one of the three prairie provinces in Canada where the golden wheat fields stretched as far as the eye could see in one direction, and the Rockies rose majestically in the other. I love that country and God who made it. The wild flowers are prolific in the foothills, and identifying them brings me simple and great joy. The horizon is constant; you can count on the sun bursting over the fields in the morning and dipping behind the mountains at night.
Oh, Canada, we sing in Alberta. It is the peaceful land of my youth. I have found similar satisfaction in vistas around the world: overlooking the broad plains in the country of Georgia as they edge toward the Caucasus Mountains or reflecting on the fairy tales that fit in the castles of Germany, exiting Sardine Canyon into the rich Cache Valley in Utah, looking across the pancake-flat plains of Mongolia, the towering Tetons of Idaho you have at your own back door. Nature speaks peace to me.
So does human effort. Our souls seek peace and rest. Yet it is in such short supply. We can find it in the scriptures. I have often related to Nephi when he said: “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures and my heart pondereth them and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.”[3]
This picture hung on the wall of my office in the Relief Society building for seven years. Look at the busy hands, the well-worn scriptures, the study materials, and especially at the beautiful, angelic smile. The background, bleak and colorless, can not compete with the countenance of this woman-and her feeling of peace and serenity. When I looked at her and I could hear the words of Alma: “May the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess . . .according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever.”[4] She has earned peace. Is it so with us?
Where do you turn when you are puzzled, discouraged, or nearly defeated? Where do you find comfort and encouragement on those days when the sun does not seem to shine on you or your part of the world? Do you stand looking up at the sky-or even shaking a fist at the sky? Or do you get to your knees and seek divine guidance, encouragement, and solace. Section 6 of the Doctrine and Covenants reminds us:
"If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation."
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time."
"Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth."[5]
As I served in Relief Society there were often thorny issues to deal with, troubling decisions to be made. Although I had willing counselors, sometimes I had to act alone and how I relied on verse 23! “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?”
How I needed the witness of the spirit. How I needed God’s peace. Verses 36 and 37 gave me additional comfort: “Look to me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.”
In the scriptures we read of wars and turmoil which parallel in many ways the days in which we now are living. We can find comfort in knowing that righteousness will prevail.
What did Elder Oaks state at April conference? “Our team wins.” This war between good and evil which began in heaven continues here on earth. We will win this war; but for now, we are on the battlefield. There will be a time as William Gladstone has stated, “When the power of love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.”
There is precedent, you know. After the Savior’s visit to the Nephites,
"It came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness, and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."[6]
When we are feeling scourged and bruised do we remember his beckoning: Feel my wounds; feel my pain. Jesus Christ is no stranger to troubles. His words “I have overcome the world,” speak legions about his desire for us to receive his peace. The atonement is all about peace. Do we turn to him for that relief, that encouragement, that blessing we so desperately need? Remember the Savior’s words, “Be of good cheer and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you.”
Nephi understood temptations and sin, and at times he, too, needed encouragement. He knew that God would give “liberally to him that asketh” so he plead, “Awake o my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, o my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. . . . Rejoice o my heart, and cry unto the Lord and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever, yea my soul will rejoice in thee, my God and the rock of my salvation.”[7] And seeking the comfort of the spirit, “O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness.”[8]
You can’t buy that robe, brothers and sisters. We earn it by righteousness. The Savior gives it to those who trust in him, who follow him, who live true to his teachings. He knows of the weight on our shoulders. He has taken upon Himself the weight of our worries, our inadequacies, our sins, our pride, and our missplaced passion. For us, he endured to the very end of his mission that we might return home to our Father in Heaven.
That home seems a long way off right now. But our earthly home holds memories for us that, like the scriptures, point to the peace promised by Jesus.
The tenderness of this scene painted by 19th Century artist Thomas Faed touches my heart. It depicts the serenity and peace of an affectionate home. My favorite place in all the world is my home. I love how the word sounds. Home. It’s soft and inviting. No harsh tones abide. And I love how a home feels. Each is a creation of the family who lives there; it has a personality all its own. I think of favorite moments in the home where I grew up: picking fresh peas early in the morning, dipping chocolates, making fruit cake and singing around the piano, ignoring the teasing of my brothers, standing on the step with a date. These are memories I love to recall. Very simple moments-at home-with my own children and grandchildren bring me great pleasure.
I realize it is hard for parents today to meet the demands of young and grown-extended families. Even in homes like mine where Joe and I live without children, the pace of life can be busy and divisive. That grueling pace for many of us is the reason our homes are so vitally important and must be fortified with peace and stability. Homes are the fortress, impenetrable to the storming of all kinds of forces. There is a peace that comes when families act as allies, combining their testimonies and other resources to stand together, against the wind. On the prairies, I remember the buffalo herds in the storm. They would turn and shoulder-to-shoulder face the wind. They were strong and impenetrable together. Is it so with our families?
A peaceful home is a refuge where we learn about and experience the abundant life provided by the Savior. It is in the home where we teach what every son and daughter of God needs to know. We need to know order, but there is more to home and family that chores and clean clothes. Happy, productive, healthy, faithful lives is, as President Boyd K. Packer often explains, “a cottage industry.”
In Luke we read the heart-rending story of the prodigal son who took his inheritance, journeyed to a far country where he wasted his substance with riotous living. When he was reduced to eating with the swine he “came to himself” and returned home to ask his father’s forgiveness and shelter. James Christensen’s painting depicts the stages of the younger son’s wandering, and features the joyful embrace he received on his return.
“It is the story that could be told of so many of us,” writes BYU Bible scholar Robert Millet,"a tale of one who left the comfort and security of a righteous home and of God fearing parents and wandered for a season in forbidden territory."
"Once wanderers hit bottom, particularly when they have been taught better...and realize what they once had...a regular diet of love and patience and concern, a home and community of faith that breathe security and peace into the soul...it is fairly common for them to ‘come to themselves.'"
When the son returns, his parents and friends open their arms to receive him and rejoice. All except the older brother who stayed home. It is easy for me to relate to the brother, to his feelings of being cheated or slighted because of the welcome and gifts given to his wayward brother. We are all good at keeping score.
The father’s acceptance and forgiveness at the reconciliation is evident in his embrace. Look at the contrasts in the picture. Notice the disparity in the clothing of the brothers, the tattered sackcloth and the rich, colorful velvet. See how the countenance of the brother depicts his unrest in accepting the prodigal son. Hopefully the words of his father will bring him peace. “Son, thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”[9]
Home. Treasure your home and your memories that live on in that setting. Peace comes when we work at it. Every day.
This painting by Max Lieberman entitled, “An Old Woman With Cat” shows an elderly woman sitting in a sunny spot out of doors on a small low chair, a rug over her knees. Therese Southgate writes
"Her face is as weathered as the wall behind her, her hair as white as the paving stones. In her arms she cradles a black kitten. The two gaze steadily at each other, she weary and resigned, the kitten frisky and ready to play. The mood is somber, though hardly gloomy. Her skirt is a tapestry of color, her mood a tapestry of life. She is at peace, all the more precious because it is a peace that has been won by hard work; she has survived the joys and sorrows of long life and looks without fear to whatever else the future may hold."[10]
It is hard work to bottle peaches. It is hard work to care for an active 2 year old. It is hard work to weed a garden, to refrain from criticism, to keep a confidence, to overlook a room that’s messy recognizing that the need for love and kindness is far more critical. But, a shelf of golden peaches, and angelic face of a sleeping child, the promise of mature produce, peaceful, loving, compatible relationships and a safe haven from an often cruel world transcend any amount of labor.
President Ezra Taft Benson says:
"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."[11]
Prophets and poets continue to teach that it is righteous living that brings the all important peace of mind. The outward calm of an inner conscience at peace with itself harbors serenity, the courage and conviction of the heart, no matter the circumstances.
The first line of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem “Conversations at Midnight” states: “There is no peace on earth today save the peace in the heart/At home with God.” Elder Russell M. Nelson explains that many individuals don’t know where to find God and look all around when spiritual needs arise. “But,” he says
"looking to other people on the same level cannot satisfy spiritual shortages. When the immortal spirit is starved, hunger persists for something more filling. Even when material success comes, there is a hollow ache - if living well falls short of living worthily, inner peace cannot be found in affluence accompanied by spiritual privation."[12]
Of course Elder Nelson is right. There is no amount of money that can buy peace. There is no great even that can calm troubled waters. It is simple things that keep us centered and anxious to move on. Having the calling as general Relief Society president was daunting, and I recognized the responsibility which rested on me. When President Hinckley extended my release, I responded, “I may not have done what another woman would have, but I have done the best I could.” Doing my best has allowed me peaceful sleep since my release.
And I have continued to work at the callings the Lord has given me. I am inspired by a Relief Society President who visited an older sister in her ward. The widow responded after they had talked for some time, “I can’t believe someone as busy as you would have the time for me.” Busy had nothing to do with it. This Relief Society sister had made a covenant and she was abiding by that promise to the Lord. Elder Eyring has eloquently described our heart-felt service:
"You are called to represent he Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. . . Your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned. . . You see there are no small callings to represent the Lord."
Peace comes in knowing you have done what the Lord would have you do.
I have found a calmness, a peace, even on some occasions when things did not turn out the way they were planned. At one point during our administration we had commissioned an author to write a historical production for a grand celebration.. In reviewing the drafts I became increasingly disturbed. The tone was much to strident; the development not in keeping with our message. Finally, I knew that we could not go forward as planned. I dreaded having to rescind our agreement, but knew it must be done. I was in a turmoil over how I could charitably reject the already completed work. We met with the author; I explained my feelings. I carried in my hands the Lord’s trust. The project was canceled. We were left with a hole on the program but I felt immediate relief. What I did was right and I gave thanks to the Lord for his affirmation.
I find peace in sitting beside my sisters in Relief Society who believe as I do and are trying to do the right thing.
I find peace in partaking of the sacrament, the weekly ritual that connects me to the Savior.
I am at peace when I have helped at a funeral, served at Welfare Square, ignored a slight or an offensive remark.
I am at peace knowing the Gospel provide principles to prevent a fractured life or reshape one coming back into the fold.
I find great peace in following the prophet of God. President Hinckley has counseled:
"Peace may be denied for a season...But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him...Our strength comes from obedience to the commandments of God. Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes."[13]
When we sing the hymn, “Sweet is the peace the gospel brings” we sing of every day experiences lived according to God’s plan, of laughter from the kitchen on a summer afternoon, of character built upon principles of righteousness, of families placed first and foremost, of the spirit that swells in our hearts as we share the witness that “Jesus Christ lives.” One of the last verses of that hymn is a fitting conclusion today:
In patience, then, let us posses
Our souls till he appear.
On to our mark of calling press;
Redemption draweth near.
I have come to know the Savior through his singular peace. His words, “My peace I leave with you, my peace give I unto you” have steadied me, strengthened me and given me hope. They have pointed me to the peace and rest that is promised in the eternities for those who are righteous. May we be there, together, is my hope and my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Notes
[1] Robert Browning, The Family Album of Favorite Poems P. 20 Edited by P. Edward Ernest, Grosset and Dunlop, NY
[2] John 14:27
[3] 2 Nephi 4:15
[4] Alma 7:27
[5] Doctrine and Covenants 6:13-15
[6] 4 Nephi:15-18
[7] 2 Nephi 4:28
[8] 2 Nephi 4:33
[9] Luke 15:32
[10] M. Therese Southgate, M.D. Journal of the American Medical Association, April 28, 2004, Vol. 291, No. 16
[11] “Purposeful Living,” Listen, A Journal of Better Living, Jan.-Mar. 1955, p. 19
[12] Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods, Ensign, May 1996, p. 14
[13] Be Not Afraid,” New Era, Nov. 2001 p.9