Confession

I know this is not necessarily the best time or place to render this admission, but I have a confession to make.

 

When Jesus Christ was on the earth and he called his twelve apostles, he taught them his gospel and set for them a perfect example. They had the incredible opportunity to learn at his knee and witness many miracles. In just a short time, these men were expected to carry on his work all on their own. If that wasn’t daunting enough, the Romans were out to get them.

 

Now, as the time approached for Christ’s death, resurrection, and departure, His struggling leaders were trying to figure this whole episode out. Why was He being killed? Why did He not save himself? We saw Him do many miracles for others. Are the claims of the accusers true that He can’t save himself?

 

Tortured despite His promises, the apostles must have been overwhelmed. I think about the challenges of raising a family, giving a talk, preparing a lesson. Those tasks are stressful enough, but these newly-called members were asked to carry on His work on their own. It must have been terrifying.

 

So when His disciples met with the Lord as He was about to leave them to return to heaven, I am sure they were looking for some sustenance, encouragement, and advice to help them with the overwhelming task of carrying forward this important work.

 

So He was getting them ready to share a truth with them that would sustain them, strengthen them, and carry them through when times got tough and adversarial forces were imminent. He has made the same promise to us, as well, but He said that He would do it His way, not in the world’s way. He described it as follows:

 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

“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 14:26–27).

 

1. Now for my confession, when I was young and first heard this, I immediately thought “That’s it?” These men that stood by you, left their work and homes and families to follow you, and ultimately gave their lives for you…you are promising them peace?” Granted I was young, but I was underwhelmed and not impressed.

 

You may not agree with me or perhaps you thought the very same thing I did. All He did was promised them peace? That question has lingered for years.

 

In His sermon “My Peace I Leave with You” President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First Presidency of this worldwide church responded in kind:

 

The Lord promised peace to His disciples as He was about to leave them. He has made the same promise to us. But He said that He would give peace in His way, not in the world’s way. He described His way of sending peace:

 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 

“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 14:26–27).

 

I find his response very interesting, because President Erying holds the very same position with an identical call today. Do you think he ever feels overwhelmed with the task of leading more than 15 million members of the Church in countries scattered throughout every continent? Thousands of missionaries, humanitarian projects, gospel curriculum, world problems, temple building, conferences, and many, many other responsibilities are his charge.

 

And so it is in our lives as well. We encounter situations for which we are unprepared and possibly overwhelmed. The Lord promised peace to His disciples as He was about to leave them because that’s what they needed. He has made the same promise to us for the very same reason.

 

As I have matured in the gospel and in life, I have learned that peace is the essence of what really matters. Despite what is going on in the world or the immediate area around us, if we can feel peace, we can continue progressing and overcome life’s ills. The way is sure because the promise comes from the Prince of Peace.

 

Faith

 

When given only 15 months to live after the birth of her baby boy, Kristin found hope and faith to carry on through the plan of happiness. 

 

 

God’s Word

 

During a trying time in her life, Amelia turned to the scriptures and found the perfect words that gave her a sense of worth and comfort.

 

 

Compassion

 

After brain cancer took the life of their little boy, the Burnetts found a way to turn their tragedy into a way to build others and bless their lives.

 

 

Gratitude

 

In Jon’s life, he found that focusing on his blessings rather than all he lacked helped him reach new heights and find even more reasons to be grateful.

 

 

Prayer

 

Erick is a sculptor who has built many toys and action figures, but he is also a father. When he learned his daughter with down syndrome might not survive, he found peace in prayer.

 

 

Forgiveness

 

After her parent’s split, Kristy felt abandoned by her father. But one day she read a book that taught her of the need to forgive.

 

 

Repentance

 

At one point in her life, Melody was homeless, pregnant, addicted to drugs, and hostile towards God. But then she met two young men who changed her perspective on life.

 

Hope

 

After his father died when he was a teenager, Clark found hope that he would see his father again through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This life is not an end. Christ overcame death so we all can live again.

 

 

What challenge are you having that you cannot overcome on your own? What part of life is too hard to handle by yourself? Whether your answer is similar to those sentiments expressed in these videos or something different, you are not alone.

 

As Elder Jeffrey R Holland said “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

 

I have come to realize for myself that the gift he left for us is the greatest possible help in our lives. Not miniscule or trite, this promise is everything we need today and tomorrow.

 

And that is real peace.