I might have to come back to this lesson regularly to review what I’ve learned about peace. We live in a world that makes a special point to remove peace from our lives, so I must consciously seek to bring it back. We live in a fast-paced, violent-loving, action-packed environment and often brag about how we’re able to manage it all on a daily basis. The fact of the matter, unfortunately, is that we don’t really manage it very well on our own; we can’t. What I have learned, and has been clearly brought out in this lesson, is that peace comes only from one source, and can only happen in one way—through Jesus Christ and His great atoning sacrifice.

 

Pres. Hunter said, “The peace for which the world longs is a time of suspended hostilities; but men do not realize that peace is a state of existence that comes to man only upon the terms and conditions set by God, and in no other way” (pg. 51).

 

When Jesus came to earth and began preaching, people thought He would bring peace by defeating their enemies. They never considered the idea that anyone could gain peace from a spiritual source in spite of being surrounded by difficulty and turmoil. We live in a time of great difficulty and turmoil. Our challenge is to seek after that spiritual peace that will confound our enemies, because we refuse to play their game. And while violence rules our enemies it cannot control our lives if the Savior’s peace is what we choose.

 

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. According to the scriptures, we can only gain peace through Him. Every story in the New Testament shows how people recognized Jesus, for who He was. Whether wicked or righteous, it didn’t matter; these people recognized that He was different. He radiated a separate peace and love. When we learn to let go of our own “nature”, and put on His holy “nature”, we can radiate His peace and love.

 

Pres. Hunter explained (on page 52) how Jesus’ salutation of “My peace I give unto you” was not just an empty wish, but “He bestowed it upon them and said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ Within a few hours they would be subjected to trouble, but with his peace they could overcome fear and stand firm.”

 

There is no doubt each one of us faces fear, trouble, and difficulty in this life. We were sent down on this earth to experience all this and more for the sole purpose of proving ourselves—just so we might turn to Jesus Christ and come unto Him. With His invitation, we have but to let go of our own devices (which will fail every time) and allow His Atonement to spiritually heal us. So, the question becomes—How do we let the Atonement spiritually heal us and bring peace into our lives? We can find the answer in the scriptures.

 

The revelation given in Section 87 of the Doctrine and Covenants is known as the “revelation and prophecy on war.” It was revealed to Joseph Smith on Christmas Day, 1832. Two days later, on Dec. 27^th, Joseph received another revelation (D&C 88), which is known as the “olive leaf … the Lord’s message of peace to us.” These two back-to-back sections seem to represent our being sent to this earth to fight a war against good and evil and having to learn that the only victory will come through the peace of the Savior who atoned for the world.

 

In Sec. 88 we learn how peace can come to each one of us, even as war surrounds us. We learn about the Second Comforter, the importance of prayer (creating a relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ), and the importance of understanding doctrine well enough to live it, while teaching it to others. The rest of the section talks about the end of the earth and how the wicked will be destroyed. However, those who have prepared themselves, by following the first half of the section, will have peace throughout this turmoil, because they have paid the price of obedience, and of teaching and loving their fellowmen.

 

President Hunter paid the price and it was evident in his demeanor. He experienced three public moments, of which were recorded, where he exhibited peace in a desperate moment of turmoil. These experiences are amazing to read and hopefully can encourage us along our road to find peace in every situation.

 

All three experiences were mentioned in this talk.

This is a further explanation of one of those experiences.

 

Pres. Hunter’s inner peace never wavered under these horrific events. Fear never overcame him. He stood firm, ever faithful, and spiritually at peace throughout each ordeal. Just as Sec. 88 teaches we can.

 

I find it interesting that our children are growing up afraid. As their parents, we would do well to follow Sec. 88 in our own lives, and teach it to our children, so they don’t have to feel afraid in our world. Things will get a whole lot worse before it’s all over and we want our children to have that spiritual assurance of peace to get through it. “This peace can come only through living the principles of the gospel” (pg. 54).

 

Something that always seems to be tied to feeling inner peace is forgiveness. It is very hard to truly forgive someone. We’ve all been told that we must always forgive, but we probably will never forget. Well, I can testify that you will never be able to completely forgive unless you “forget” the pain that surrounds your remembering. You can always say the words—that you forgive, but you must also allow yourself to forget. I have come to understand that in the forgetting, we truly give all the pain, resentment, and hurt to Jesus Christ who atoned for all of our pain, resentment, and hurt. But we must be willing to give it ALL to Him. Yes, we will remember the incident, possibly forever, but we must allow ourselves to forget the turmoil it brought in our lives in order to feel the peace only the Savior can give us—because He literally, and absolutely, took it all for us.

 

I testify that because of the Atonement, we can know for ourselves how valued we are in the eyes of Jesus Christ who died for us. Because of the Atonement, we can be forgiven for the stupid and regrettable mistakes we constantly make. Because of the Atonement, we can forgive completely, without holding anything back. Because of the Atonement, we feel His love and can offer His love. This testimony is what brings me peace.

 

Pres. Hunter said here, “Indifference to the Savior or failure to keep the commandments of God brings about insecurity, inner turmoil, and contention. These are the opposite of peace. Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender—surrender to him who is the Prince of peace (Isa. 9:6), who has the power to confer peace.”