Where Can We Find Peace?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 19 in a lesson titled “Learn of Me.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

It took Martin and Lucy Harris years to acquire one of the finest farms in Palmyra, New York. But in 1829 it became clear that the Book of Mormon could be published only if Martin mortgaged his farm to pay the printer. Martin had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but Lucy did not. If Martin went forward with the mortgage and the Book of Mormon did not sell well, he would lose his farm, put his marriage at risk, and damage his reputation in the community. Although our circumstances are different from Martin’s, at some time or another we all face difficult questions like those he faced: What is the gospel of Jesus Christ worth to me? What am I willing to sacrifice to help build God’s kingdom? Martin Harris ultimately decided that he would mortgage his farm so the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon could be printed. But even this sacrifice—and any sacrifice we might make—is small compared to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “the greatest of all” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18), who bled from every pore to save the repentant.

The scripture block contained the following principles: (1) “I, God, am endless” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:1-12, (2) Jesus Christ suffered so that I can repent and come unto Him (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-20), (3) Peace comes from learning of Jesus Christ and following Him (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23), and God’s blessings are greater than the treasures of the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 19:26-41).

I feel prompted to discuss principle #3, Peace comes from learning of Jesus Christ and following Him. I will begin by sharing the scripture reference, Doctrine and Covenants 19:23.

23 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.

This verse gives the steps to finding peace in Jesus Christ: (1) learn about Him, (2) study what He has said, and (3) be humble and obedient and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

In Doctrine and Covenants 19, we learn some important information about Jesus Christ. First, He introduces Himself. Second, He discusses repentance and the reasons why mortals need to repent. Third, He tells us of His experience in atoning for our sins. There is much more in the scripture block, but my purposes are covered in these few verses.

15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-20; emphasis added)

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke about peace and how to find it. He shared five truths that he found in the teachings of the Savior about peace. (“Finding Personal Peace,” Liahona, May 2023, 29–31)

First, the gift of peace is given after we have the faith to keep His commandments. For those who are covenant members of the Lord’s Church, obedience is what we have already promised to do.

Second, the Holy Ghost will come and abide with us. The Lord says that as we continue to be faithful, the Holy Ghost will dwell in us. That is the promise in the sacramental prayer that the Spirit will be our companion and that we will feel, in our hearts and minds, His comfort.

Third, the Savior promises that as we keep our covenants, we can feel the love of the Father and the Son for each other and for us. We can feel Their closeness in our mortal lives, just as we will when we are blessed to be with Them forever.

Fourth, keeping the Lord’s commandments requires more than obedience. We are to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and soul.

Those who do not love Him do not keep His commandments. And so they will not have the gift of peace in this life and in the world to come.

Fifth, it is clear that the Lord loved us enough to pay the price of our sins so that we can—through our faith in Him and our repentance, through the effects of His Atonement—have the gift of the peace that “passeth all understanding,” in this life and with Him eternally.

Another source for learning about the peace that Jesus Christ offers is this video “Peace in Christ.”