Where Can I Turn For Peace?



The Resurrection: He Lives

 Life can often be chaotic, uneasy, or even uncertain.  However hard our trials may become or unclear our path in front of us may become, I know we can always turn to the Savior for comfort, peace, and guidance.  As long as we know that Jesus Christ lives, and most importantly, that he loves us, we can always remember the promise he leaves us, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).  I echo the words of a familiar hymn, "I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives!" (I Know That My Redeemer Lives - LDS Hymn # 136).

The Island Chill

Bula Vinaka! (Hello in the Islands of Fiji).  Just the other day, I was serving with my good friend and Fijian warrior, Elder Volavola.  As we were going through our day, we shared experiences on how the Gospel has brought peace to our lives and shaped us into who we are today.  We talked about some of the attributes the Savior has and has perfected; purity being one that our focus fell on.  There is an attraction and a joy that comes from being pure and seeing purity in others.  After all this, of course we found ourselves talking about Fiji water, which is the best and most pure water!

There is an island in Fiji that is surrounded by tropical forests.  Upon such, sits a waterfall that flows from the mountains, whose environment remains uninhabited by people.  This environment that is created has allowed for these waters to flow purely and remain perfectly untainted by unnatural and other unclean things.  Because of this, we get one of the best tasting waters in the world!  (If you don't believe us, try it.)  Just like the water that flows so freely and unaltered by man's hand, so too must our lives remain free from the tainted hands of the world.  We must keep our hearts and minds pure, so that the love of God can flow as freely and purely from us, as these waters do from the falls in Fiji. As we seek to become pure, even as the Savior, we will feel our lives drawing closer to His, (Moroni 7:47-48).

Power to Heal

Let The Children Come

Elder Bohnet and I just got done teaching one of our friends about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we have reflected upon what that consists of; faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end, we thought of why we love talking about this so much.  We both decided it is because of Jesus Christ, and how he makes us feel!  

As I have come to know my Savior and older Brother, Jesus Christ, one thing I always marvel at is the power that he has to heal us.  I think of the mistakes that overwhelm our past, the worries that cloud our future, and the burdening guilt that once weighed down our hearts.  I think of that only for a moment.  I have come to accept, apply, and appreciate the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life.  I have felt the power he has to lift burdens and heavy hearts, diminish worries, and replace doubts with a bright hope.  He has all power to heal us physically, but there is a healing that takes a perfect love and patience, and that healing is spiritual healing.  I think of a scripture in the Book of Mormon, when the Savior appears to the people and tells them, "come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you]..."(3 Nephi 18:32).

I know that the Lord will heal all who come unto Him, with full purpose of heart.  I know that is because he has an unconditional and an everlasting love for us.  He can heal us. He can make us whole.