Continuing from a previous post—- “Peace” . . . “Essays of Hope and Encouragement” under the above title ‘Peaceable Things of the Kingdom’, Jeffrey R. Holland—President of the Quorum or the Twelve Apostles taught:
Christ and His angels and prophets forever labor to buoy up our spirits, steady our nerves, calm our hearts, and sent us forth with renewed strength and resolute hope. They wish all to know that “if God be with us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31.) In the world we shall have tribulation, but we are to be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. (See John 16;33.) Through His suffering and His obedience He has earned and rightly bears the crown of “Prince of Peace.” (Isiah 9:6.)
In that spirit we declare to all the world that for real and abiding peace to come, we must strive to be more like that exemplary Son of God. Many among us are trying to do that. I salute you for your obedience, your forbearance, your waiting faithfully upon the Lord for the strength you seek and will surely come. Some of us, on the other hand, need to make more changes, need to make greater in gospel living. And change we can. The very beauty of the word repentance is the promise of escaping old problems and old habits and old sorrows and old sins. It is among the most hopeful and encouraging—and yes, most peaceful—words the gospel vocabulary. In seeking true peace some of us need to improve what has to be improved, confess what needs to be confessed, forgive what needs to be forgiven, and forget what need to be forgotten, in order that serenity can come to us. If there is a commandment we are breaking, and as a result it is breaking us, and hurting those who love us, to free us, to lead us through repentance, let us call down the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to help us, to free us, to lead us through repentance to that “peace” which passeth all understanding.” (Philip. 4:7.)
And when God has forgiven us, which he is so eternally anxious to do, may we have the good sense to walk away from those problems, to leave them alone, to let the past bury the past. If one of you have made a mistake, even a serious mistake, but you have done all that you can according to the teachings of the Lord and governance of the Church to confess it and feel sorrow for it to set it right as it can be, then trust in God, walk into his light and leave the ashes behind you. Someone once said that repentance is the first pressure we feel when drawn to the bosom of God. For real peace I recommend an immediate rush to the bosom of God, leaving behind you all that would bring sorrow to your soul or headache to those who love you. “Depart from evil,” the scripture says, “and do good.” (Ps. 34:14)
Closely related to our own obligation to repent is the generosity of letting others do the same—we are to forgive even as we are forgiven. In this we participate in the very essence of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Surely the most majestic moment of that fateful Friday, when nature convulsed and the veil of the temple was rent, was the unspeakably merciful moment when Chris said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.) As our advocate with the Father, He is still making that same plea today—in your behalf and mine. ~ Jeffrey R. Holland “The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom” p. 23-24
