Peace is what we all yearn for amidst the global pandemic that has affected most of us. Amidst all that is happening around the world, where can we turn for peace? Many people find peace in giving to those in need, others find peace knowing that their loved ones are safe, while some find it by other means. But what better way to find peace than from the Prince of Peace himself, even the Savior Jesus Christ? We can find peace in His promises, both in the scriptures and through our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.
In President Nelson’s recent address, he reminded us that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and are mindful of us always. Speaking of the difficulties we’re experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he assured us that “these unique challenges will pass in due time.” This is a promise of hope, assurance, and grace that the Lord knows our circumstances, hears our petitions, and sees our efforts to serve Him through caring for one another and ministering to our fellow brothers and sisters, even those who are not of our faith.
The Lord also promised “that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.” This is certainly not a ‘time-out’ for us in terms of things that strengthen our faith. Although there have been many adjustments in the church in response to the pandemic, including suspending all church gatherings worldwide, we have been counseled to hold our Sunday service at home. This might be a new setting but we have been prepared by the Lord for this kind of circumstance through the home-centered, church-supported approach to gospel learning. We are counseled to continue furthering His work by learning about His gospel and sharing its good tidings with those who need light and hope in these troubled times. We have been counseled to strengthen our families so that we can be prepared to face more challenges in the future. We should continue building our faith, fortifying what matters most, and increasing our capacity to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.
Elder M. Russell Ballard also assured us that “everything is going to be just fine as we turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven and look to Him and to the Savior as the Redeemer of all mankind.” He also emphasized that although we can’t attend the temple, we can find peace in our homes when we kneel, pray and seek for divine guidance. He also encouraged us to make use of technology, if we have access, to increase our knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach out virtually to our families and friends during this time when we are encouraged to stay home and not attend large gatherings.
In these troubled times, we can certainly find peace that the Lord still speaks to living prophets today who make us aware of His promises through them. We can be assured of the promises made by President Nelson and Elder Ballard since we know that “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.”
Let us continue to hold onto hope, build each other up, and spread positivity through any means we find appropriate. Let’s continue to pray for those who are being directly impacted by the virus and those people who are on the frontlines trying to contain the virus or find a cure. Let’s pray for our governments, health workers, family, and friends. Let’s pray for compassion, understanding, unity, love, and wisdom to abound in people’s hearts. And most especially, let’s get on our knees and give thanks to God for our many blessings and the light and hope that His gospel brings to our lives in these troubled times.
I am informed that the love and hand of God is manifested in the works of men and women alone–God’s Kingdom is not of this world, and is served by men and women of faith alone. We constantly hear the complaint and question, “Where is God?” When we, the servants of God see the sad, hopeless and abused, especially the children, so does our heavenly father, and in the end they are returned to the love of the most high forever. Adults reach the heavenly gates through a day that becomes progressively darker as evening approaches, then the night. To us the bridge before us as we age seems more and more tenuous and ill-defined, yet we must steadily continue on and persevere to the end. Italians call it ‘OMERTA” to the death. Like Leonidas when he left his young Spartan wife and children to take his small army to the Gates of Fire and die for Greece and God we too must strive upward and onward to whatever end that our God has ordained for us. It may be “Salve Imperator” or it may be “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” or even “Eli, Eli, Eli Sabachthani” on a cross of wood. Wisdom is served by all Her children! –SELAH– WAS