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| Title:*PEACE* 3a/Mm - Visual Prayer Art from Set by Rev.Bola A |
*PEACE*
We all long for peace.
Peace is not just safety or
lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention.
Peace comes from knowing that
the Savior knows who we are and knows,
that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His
commandments,
even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.
Remember, “God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace.”
For those who reject God, there is no
peace.
We all participated in the
councils of heaven that provided for moral agency,
knowing that there would be
mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy,
because of the abuse of agency.
We understood that this could
leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable.
But we also knew that the
Saviour’s Atonement would overcome and compensate, for all of the unfairness of
mortal life and bring us peace.
“To believe in God is to know
that all the rules will be fair,
and that there will be wonderful surprises.”
What are the sources of peace?
Many search for peace in
worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed.
Peace is not found by
attaining great wealth, power, or prominence.
Peace is not found in the
pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure.
None of these can, even when
attained in abundance,
create any lasting happiness or peace.
How do we stay close to the
Savior?
Humbling ourselves before God,
praying always, repenting of sins,
entering the waters of baptism with a broken heart and
contrite spirit,
and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ are profound ,
of the
righteousness that is rewarded by abiding peace.
Repentance and living
righteously allow for peace of conscience,
which is essential for contentment.
When there has been a major
transgression, confession is required to bring peace.
Perhaps there is nothing to
compare with the peace that comes,
from a sin-wracked soul unloading his or her burdens
on the Lord and,
claiming the blessings of the Atonement.
As another favorite Church
hymn puts it,
“I’ll drop my burden at his feet and bear a song away.”
The Church is a refuge where
followers of Christ attain peace.
Some young people in the world
say they are spiritual but not religious.
Feeling spiritual is a good
first step.
However, it is in the Church
that we are fellowshipped, taught,
and nourished by the
good word of God.
More importantly, it is
priesthood authority in the Church that provides,
for sacred ordinances and covenants that
bind families together and qualify,
each of us to return to God the Father
and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom.
These ordinances bring peace
because they are covenants with the Lord.
“Two sets of forgiveness are
required to bring peace to the transgressor—
one from the proper authorities
of the Lord’s Church, and one from the Lord himself. ”
Lift up your hearts in praise
to God; Let your rejoicings never cease.
Though tribulations rage
abroad, Christ says, “In me ye shall have peace.”
Inner peace (or peace of mind)
refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace,
with enough knowledge and
understanding to keep oneself strong,
in the face of discord or stress.
Being "at peace" is
considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis)and,
the opposite of being
stressed or anxious.
Many spiritual practices refer
to this peace as an experience of knowing oneself.
Finding inner peace is often
associated with Spiritual practices and traditions.
The question of real, lasting
world peace concerns human beings,
so basic human feelings are
also at its roots.
Through inner peace, genuine
world peace can be achieved.
In this the importance of
individual responsibility is quite clear;
an atmosphere of peace must
first be created within ourselves,
then gradually expanded to
include our families,
our communities, and
ultimately the whole planet.
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Researched
and Compiled by Rev.Bola - 17.Nov.13
