Be Still My Soul

We find ourselves in a time in our world's history that has been marred by pure chaos. War has been a constant in the last century, with few to no nations left untouched by its destructive influence. Terrorism and other forms of violence come before us on a weekly basis, leaving grief in their wake. Contention has come to us like a plague, especially in the United States in this time of political maneuvering and treachery, and the focus on our differences as people has been far more examined and magnified. In these times, we desire to know how we can find reason for hope--reason and capacity to say "Be still, my soul." We are apt and certainly justified to ask ourselves "Where can I turn for peace?"

The Lord, in this time like no other, wants us to know the answer to that question.

If we try to find peace in the world, we will be met with inevitable disappointment. Some may turn to alcohol or drugs to find peace, not knowing that they're really just masking their problems with more problems. Others turn to equally destructive and addictive vices to escape personal chaos, and find nothing but more suffering.

The only way to find true peace is to seek out Him from whom all Good comes. It was Him, even Jesus Christ, who said, "Peace I leave with you; peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid" (John 14:26).

As we ask ourselves that question of where, and adding then how, we can find that peace, we can quickly find the way as we turn to Christ. Elder Quentin Cook said:

"The heavenly aspiration of good people everywhere has and always will be for peace in the world. We must never give up on achieving this goal...We earnestly hope and pray for universal peace, but it is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice."

Every good thing has come to this fallen world in and through that atoning sacrifice of our Savior. The Christ suffered and died that we may have the chance to "overcome the world," just as He did (see John 16:33). As we see the Bad--the violence and the loudness and the unrest--we can look to that Good that has come from that most sacred selfless act of eternal service.

But how easy is it in practice? Is it easy to flip that switch of worry and angst over our personal struggles and tragedies? Absolutely not.

Elder Cook also taught: We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies. The Lord’s answer to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail brings solace to the heart:

'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.'" (see D&C 122:7-8)

Peace is a mindset. Peace can come in the midst of war, of intense persecution, and of heavy trial. It is completely independent of our circumstances. If we are faced toward our Savior, Jesus Christ, nothing can keep us from the cleansing perspective of peace.

When we reach that point, we can sing with all the confidence in our peaceful souls:

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last
(LDS Hymnbook 124)

So even as the world descends into greater chaos, and even as persecution increases and trials seems to weigh even heavier, we can have the peace to push us through--that peace that comes from Christ, and that is eternal and pure.