Peace: A Triumph of Principles
Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased) wrote:
Many years ago I heard a story that impressed me. A beautiful little blind girl was sitting on the lap of her father in a crowded compartment in a train. A friend nearby said to the father, “Let me give you a little rest,” and he reached over and took the little girl on his lap. A few moments later the father said to her, “Do you know who is holding you?” “No”, she replied, “but you do.”
Some might be inclined to say,”What a perfect trust this child had in her father.” Others might say, “What a wonderful example of love.” And still others might say, “What an example of faith.” To me it indicates a beautiful blending of all these principles, which brought a priceless inner peace to a child. She knew she was safe because she knew her father knew who was holding her. Affection, respect, and care over the years had placed in this little girl’s heart a peace that surpasseth all understanding. She was at peace because she knew and trusted her father.
We plead for peace in our prayers and thoughts. Where is peace? Can we ever enjoy this great gift while wars, rumor of wars, discord, evil, and contention swirl all around us? The answer is yes. Just as the little blind girl sat on the stranger’s lap with perfect contentment because her father knew him, so we can learn to know our Father and find inner peace as we live his principles.
It is very significant that when Jesus came forth from the tomb and appeared to his disciples, his first greeting was, “Peace be unto you.” (Luke 24:36.) Peace—not passion, not personal possessions, not personal accomplishments nor happiness—is one of the great blessings one can receive. Our trust and our relationship with Heavenly Father should be one similar to that of the little blind girl and her earthly father. When sorrow, tragedy, and heartbreaks occur in our lives, wouldn’t it be comforting if when the whisperings of God say, “Do you know why this has happened to you?” we could have the peace of mind to answer, “No, but you do.”
Certainly peace is the opposite of fear. Peace is a blessing that comes to those who trust in God. It is established through individual righteousness. True personal peace comes about through eternal vigilance and constant righteous efforts. No one can be at peace who is untrue to their better self. No one can have lasting peace who is living a lie. Peace can never come to the transgressor of the law. Commitment to God’s laws is the basis for peace. Peace is something we earn. It is not a gift. Rather it is a possession earned by those who love God and work to achieve the blessings of peace. It is not a written document. It is something that must come from within.
The Salt Lake Valley was settled by those who trekked over the plains under extremely difficult conditions so they could worship God in peace. Left behind was Nauvoo, a deserted city deserted by the uninformed, misinformed, embittered enemies of the Church. Peace had flown from the City Beautiful. What a price some of those who have gone before us have paid for the privilege of worshiping in peace.
Never will peace and hatred be able to abide in the same soul. Permanent peace will elude those individuals or groups who’s objective is to condemn, discredit, rail at, or tear down those whose beliefs are different from their own. These people live by hatred and would destroy others insofar as it is in their power to do so. True Christians have no time for contention. Lasting peace cannot be built while we are reviling or hating others. Those who preach hate, ridicule, and untruths cannot be classified as peacemakers. Until they repent they will reap the harvest to which those engaged in the business of hatred are entitled. Feeling of hatred and malice can never be compatible with feelings of peace.
“The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, who’s waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:20-21)
However, only those at peace can properly cope with accusations and slander. Inner peace is the prized possession of God’s valiant. A testimony of the truthfulness of the teachings of our Savior gives personal peace in times of adversity; ~Elder Marvin J. Ashton, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle (deceased), Peace (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1998) p.95-97
