(Peace versus Contention and War)
498. We are to live peaceably and not contend one with another.
499. We are not to be angry with others.
500. Contention begets contention, revenge begets revenge, and war begets more war.
501. We are to avoid litigation in the courts.
504. Christ is the bringer of peace.
505. The Holy Ghost can give peace to the soul of the righteous.
498. We are to live peaceably and not contend one with another.
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish. (Nephi gives commandments of God to Nephites, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 26:32
Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.
Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. Contention ranges from a hostile spoken word to worldwide conflicts. CR1989Apr:5
[I]t is the duty of every man and woman in this Church to live at peace with him and herself, and then to live at peace with everybody else, husbands with wives, wives with husbands, parents with children, children with parents, brothers with sisters and sisters with brothers; this is the duty that God requires at our hands. I am speaking now of something which is not an abstract theory, that cannot be carried out; I am speaking of that which can be carried out, which every one of us can carry out, and of results which can be accomplished in the midst of this people. (In 14th Ward, July 25, 1880, JD22:103) TLDP:471
quoted by Mormon
And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
14. And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.
15. But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. (King Benjamin to his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 4:13-15
(First Presidency)
The mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to establish peace. The living Christ is its head. Under Him over one hundred thousand men in the Church are divinely authorized to represent Him in variously assigned positions. It is the duty of these representatives to manifest brotherly love, first toward one another, then toward all mankind; to seek unity, harmony and peace in organizations within the Church, and then, by precept and example, extend these virtues throughout the world. ("Greetings from the First Presidency," Liahona, the Elder's Journal, Dec. 22, 1936, p. 315) TLDP:471-72
quoted by Mormon
For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
30. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. (The resurrected Jesus Christ addresses his Nephite disciples, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 11:29-30
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 12:17-21
receiving the Word of the Lord
Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (Jesus Christ commands Mormon to write these words, between A.D. 326-385) 3 Nephi 30:2
The great object and duty that devolves upon the Latter-day Saints is to learn, each man and each woman for himself and for herself, their individual duty as members of the Church. Just as soon as a man or woman learns his and her duty to God and to those who are members with them in the household of faith, peace is established, love and good will are assured, no back-biting, no fault-finding, no bearing false witness against neighbors, no strife, no contention. For the moment that a Latter-day Saint learns his duty, he will learn that it is his business to make peace, to establish good will, to work righteousness, to be filled with the spirit of kindness, love, charity, and forgiveness; and, so far as he is concerned, there can be no war, no strife, no contention, no quarreling, no disunion; no factions can arise among the people who know their duty as Latter-day Saints. CR1915Apr:4
In every home, neighborhood, and community, we ought to strive for peace and never be party to stirring up contention or division. (CR 2002Apr; The Peaceable Things of the Kingdom, Ensign, May 2002, p.87)
499. We are not to be angry with others.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (A psalm of David) Psalms 37:8
quoted by Mormon
But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (The resurrected Jesus Christ to the Nephite people, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 12:22
quoted by Mormon
For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.
30. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. (The resurrected Jesus Christ addresses his Nephite disciples, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 11:29-30
The soul is the fountain from which the peace of the world will spring. Centered in the heart also are the enemies to peace—"avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride." These and other vices which bring misery into the world must be eradicated before men will "beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks." Before permanent peace is assured there shall have to be felt in the hearts of men more consideration for others—there shall have to be manifested around the coming peace table at least a little of the Christ spirit—"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." ("Faith in Christ—The World's Greatest Need," IE1944Jan:62) TLDP:463-64
[W]e leave this conference today with greater responsibility than ever before, as men of the priesthood, as women of the Church, to make our homes such as will radiate to our neighbors harmony, love, community duties, loyalty. Let our neighbors see it and hear it. Never must there be expressed in a Latter-day Saint home an oath, a condemnatory term, an expression of anger or jealousy or hatred. Control it Do not express it You do what you can to produce peace and harmony, no matter what you may suffer. CR1963Apr:130
And now behold, my son, I fear lest the Lamanites shall destroy this people; for they do not repent, and Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another. (Mormon to his son Moroni, prior to A.D. 385) Moroni 9:3
For Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood. (Revelation, Aug. 1831) D&C 63:28
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (Paul's letter from prison to the Church in Colossae, Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) Colossians 3:8
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverb of Solomon, king of Israel) Proverbs 16:32
Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? (Jonah expresses his displeasure with the Lord's mercy upon the people, about 780-755 B.C.) Jonah 4:4
Related Witnesses:
In quiet, restrained, divine dignity he stood when they cast their spittle in his face. He remained composed. They pushed him around. Not an angry word escaped his lips. They slapped his face and beat his body. Yet he stood resolute, unintimidated.
Literally did he follow his own admonition when he turned his other cheek to be also slapped and smitten. And yet, he showed no cringing, gave no denials, offered no rebuttals. When false mercenary witnesses were paid to lie about him, he seemed to condemn them not. They twisted his words and misinterpreted his meanings, yet he was calm and unflustered. Had he not taught, "Pray for them which despitefully use you"? (Matthew 5:44), . . . .
Neither did he say anything to the people who called for Barrabas, crying "Release unto us Barrabas" (Luke 23:18). Even when they cried for his blood, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him" (Luke 23:21)—yet he showed no bitterness nor venom nor condemnation. Only tranquility. This is divine dignity, power, control, restraint. Barrabas for Christ Barrabas released, Christ crucified. The worst and the best; the just and the unjust; the Holy one crucified, the degenerate malefactor released. Yet no revenge, no name-calling, no condemnation. No lightning struck them, though it could have done. No earthquake, though a severe one could have come. No angels with protective weapons, though legions were ready. No escape, though he could have been translated and moved from their power. He stood and suffered in mind and body. "Bless them that curse you," he had taught (Matthew 5:44). . . .
. . . . He had said, "Love your enemies." Now he showed how much one can love his enemies. He was dying on the cross for those who had nailed him there. As he died, he experienced such agonies that no man had ever before or has since experienced. Yet he cried out, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Was this not the last word—the supreme act? How divine to forgive those who were killing him—those who were clamoring for his blood He had said, "Pray for them which despitefully use you," and here he was praying for them. His life met perfectly his teachings. "Be ye therefore perfect" was his command to us. With his life, his death, and his resurrection, Jesus truly has shown us the way. ("Jesus of Nazareth," EN1980Dec:6-8) TLDP:307
Author's Note: Anger: "A feeling of sudden and strong displeasure and antagonism directed against the cause of an assumed wrong or injury." (Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary, p. 56)
Matthew and Third Nephi quoted above are identical except Matthew contains the qualifying phrase "without a cause." (See Matthew 5:22 and compare with 3 Nephi 12:12.)
500. Contention begets contention, revenge begets revenge, and war begets more war.
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
recorded in Matthew
[T]hey that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Jesus speaks to Peter whose sword, in defense of Jesus, has cut off the ear of the Jewish high priest's servant) Matthew 26:52
(First Presidency)
But there is an eternal law that rules war and those who engage in it. It was given when, Peter having struck off the ear of Malchus, the servant of the High Priest, Jesus reproved him, saying:
"Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Matthew 26:52)
The Savior thus laid down a general principle upon which He placed no limitations as to time, place, cause, or people involved. He repeated it in this dispensation when he told the people if they tried to secure the land of Zion by blood, then "Lo, your enemies are upon you." This is a universal law, for force always begets force; it is the law of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20); it is the law of the unrighteous and wicked but it operates against the righteous who may be involved. CR1942Apr:95
(First Presidency)
[W]ar will be ended only by superior armed forces, by increased number of swifter and stronger planes, by more shattering bombs and other weapons of destruction; but Peace will be maintained only by nobler men and by more Christ-like nations. (Annual Christmas message of First Presidency, Dec. 19, 1942, IE1943Jan:10-11) MOFP6:189
(First Presidency)
Not until Freedom triumphs, and a just peace comes may we hope for "good will among men." When a soldier sees his "buddy's" body torn and mangled beside him, he madly, desperately seeks revenge. Multiply that soldier by millions, and you readily see how hate, not good will, governs the hearts and actions of mankind. Thus war makes men vicious and arouses in them brutal instincts. It prompts the abrogation of all moral obligations. (Annual Christmas message of First Presidency, Dec. 19, 1942 IE1943Jan:10-11) MOFP6:189
Sin begets sin; the darkness grows until the love of truth turns to hatred, and the love of God is overcome by the wicked desire to destroy all that is just and true. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:49) TLDP:634-35
Related Witnesses:
But, behold, the judgments of God will overtake the wicked; and it is by the wicked that the wicked are punished; for it is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed. (Mormon continues to record his account of war and carnage, about 363 B.C.) Mormon 4:5
It is a time-honored adage that love begets love. Let us pour forth love—show forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase; cast our bread upon the waters and we shall receive it after many days, increased to a hundredfold. Friendship is like Brother Turley in his blacksmith shop welding iron to iron; it unites the human family with its happy influence. (In meeting at the Stand in Nauvoo, Ill., July 23, 1843) HC5:517
recorded in Matthew
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. (Jesus Christ to the multitude, about A.D. 30) Matthew 5:38-41
receiving the Word of the Lord
Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
24. But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you. (Revelation received Aug. 6, 1833 in consequence of the persecution of the Saints) D&C 98:23-24
And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison.
31. And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
32. And now, behold, the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye are smitten and afflicted.
33. But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. (King Limhi has just recounted the history of his people to Ammon and the throng assembled; he says a prophet [Abinadi] was slain by the wicked—because he testified that Christ was the God and Father of all things) Mosiah 7:30-33
501. We are to avoid litigation in the courts.
Be reconciled with each other. Do not go to the courts of the Church nor to the courts of the land for litigation. Settle your own troubles, and difficulties; . . . there is only one way in which a difficulty existing between man and man can be truly settled, and that is when they get together and settle it between them. The courts cannot settle troubles between me and my brother. If they decide against him, and in my favor, of course I receive it with gladness, and praise the judge because he has favored me, but my brother is not satisfied at all, and condemns the decision, and is embittered against me. So the only way to settle a trouble between brethren is for them to get together and settle it between themselves and let it be settled fully and forever. CR1916Oct:7-8
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8. Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. (Letter to the Church at Corinth in Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:6-8
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
My spiritual enjoyment must be obtained by my own life, but it would add much to the comfort of the community, and to my happiness, as one with them, if every man and woman would live their religion, and enjoy the light and glory of the Gospel for themselves, be passive, humble and faithful; rejoice continually before the Lord, attend to the business they are called to do, and be sure never to do anything wrong.
All would then be peace, joy, and tranquility, in our streets and in our houses. Litigation would cease, there would be no difficulties before the High Council and Bishops' Courts, and courts, turmoil, and strife would not be known.
Then we would have Zion, for all would be pure in heart. (In Tabernacle, March 16, 1856, JD3:255) DBY:119
Persons who prosecute frivolous lawsuits do not measure up to this high standard [that of being involved only in activities upon which they can ask the blessings of the Lord]. Groundless litigation rewards some plaintiffs handsomely, but it injures everyone else by raising the price of products and services. CR1986Oct:26
Related Witnesses:
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2. Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3. Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (Letter to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 6:1-3
It should always be remembered that the Church exists to save, not to condemn men. Every effort should be made to have contending parties settle their own difficulties, with the aid of ward teachers if necessary; and to induce those who have erred to tread the way of forgiveness and thus make unnecessary the calling together of a Church tribunal of justice.
Should it be necessary to call a person to a Church trial, those composing the council must use every endeavor to bring about reconciliation or confession in humility. Excommunication should be the last resort.
All should be eager to keep those who are in the Church in full fellowship with the community of Saints. PCG:215
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Brethren, bear and forbear one with another, for so the Lord does with us. Pray for your enemies in the Church and curse not your foes without: for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay. To every ordained member, and to all, we say, be merciful and you shall find mercy. Seek to help save souls, not to destroy them: (Messenger and Advocate, 1:137-38) TPJS:77
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. 18. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. (Revelation to Moses for the children of Israel) Leviticus 19:17-18
(First Presidency)
Fifty-two years have passed since this [D&C 98:4-15was given to the Church, and we are now witnessing its fulfillment. The Saints are required to do whatsoever the Lord commands them, to live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. They are also instructed to befriend every constitutional law of the land; for such laws support the principle of freedom; they maintain rights and privileges. This, as a people, we have striven to do from the beginning of our organization. We have ever been a law-abiding people. Times without number we have suffered the most grievous wrongs without resenting them. We have ever thought it better to suffer wrong than to do wrong. (Epistle from the First Presidency to the Church, Oct. 6, 1885) MOFP3:28-29
Author's Note: In the Prophet's Journal History of the Church appears the following from a report of the high council committee, accepted by the high council in Nauvoo, January 28, 1842: "Who, observing these things [set forth in 1 Corinthians 6:1-10, would go to law distressing his brother, thereby giving rise to hardness, evil speaking, strifes and animosities among those who have covenanted to keep the commandments of God—who have taken upon them the name of Saints, and if Saints are to judge angels, and also to judge the world—why then are they not competent to judge in temporal matters, especially in trivial cases, taking the law of the Lord for their guide, brotherly kindness, charity, &c., as well as the law of the land? Brethren, these are evils which ought not to exist among us. We hope the time will speedily arrive when these things will be done away, and everyone stand in the office of his calling, as a faithful servant of God, building each other up, bearing each other's infirmities, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (HC4:505)
502. Those who are not the cause of war or contention are justified in defending themselves against the enemy who comes against them.
President Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.,David O. McKay
Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.
46. And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them, and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
47. And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion. (Moroni arms the Nephites against the Lamanites who have come against them to war, about 73 B.C.) Alma 43:45-47
There are . . . two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter—mind you, I say enter, not begin—a war: (1) an attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and (2) loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one.
Paramount among these reasons, of course, is the defense of man's freedom. An attempt to rob man of his free agency caused dissension even in heaven. (Gospel Ideals, p. 287) TLDP:713
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
The prediction is that army will be against army: it may be that the Saints will have to beat their ploughs into swords, for it will not do for men to sit down patiently and see their children destroyed. (From an address at the Stand, Nauvoo, Ill., May 12, 1844) TPJS:366
It has been our study to avoid contention, and we have never interfered with others until they have thrown down the gauntlet; and as we have not been up to the present the aggressors so we are determined for the future not to be the aggressors. (From an editorial in the first issue of Nauvoo Neighbor, May 1843) HC5:381
Is there ever a time when war, or the taking up of arms is justified?
Yes, there are such times. There have been many instances when the Lord has justified the taking up of arms and has approved his people in their obedience to such cause. When it becomes necessary for a righteous people to take arms against their enemies who are the aggressors, in protection of their lives and in the defense of their possessions, the Lord has approved. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:50-51) TLDP:713
receiving the Word of the Lord
And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them.
34. And if any nation, tongue, or people should proclaim war against them, they should first lift a standard of peace unto that people, nation, or tongue;
35. And if that people did not accept the offering of peace, neither the second nor the third time, they should bring these testimonies before the Lord;
36. Then I, the Lord, would give unto them a commandment, and justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people.
37. And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children's battles, and their children's children's, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation. (Revelation received Aug. 6, 1833 in consequence of the persecution of the Saints in Missouri) D&C 98:33-37
Related Witnesses:
(First Presidency)
Thus the Church is and must be against war. The Church itself cannot wage war, unless and until the Lord shall issue new commands. It cannot regard the war as a righteous means of settling international disputes; these should and could be settled—the nations agreeing—by peaceful negotiation and adjustment.
But the Church membership are citizens or subjects of sovereignties over which the Church has no control. The Lord Himself has told us to "Befriend that law which is the constitutional law of the land." CR1942Apr:94
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Of one thing I am sure; God never institutes war; God is not the author of confusion or of war; they are the results of the acts of the children of men. Confusion and war necessarily come as the results of the foolish acts and policy of men; but they do not come because God desires they should come. If the people, generally, would turn to the Lord, there would never be any war. Let men turn from their iniquities and sins, and, instead of being covetous and wicked, turn to God and seek to promote peace and happiness throughout the land, and wars would cease. We expect to see the day when swords shall be turned into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks, and when men shall learn war no more. This is what we want. We are for peace, plenty and happiness to all the human family. (In new Tabernacle, July 11, 1869, JD13:149) DBY:366-67
503. The righteous shall receive a reward of inner peace and contentment—the kind of peace only the Lord can give.
quoted by John
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jesus comforts the Twelve in anticipation of his crucifixion) John 14:27
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
Thrust a man into prison and bind him with chains, and then let him be filled with the comfort and with the glory of eternity, and that prison is a palace to him. Again, let a man be seated upon a throne with power and dominion in this world, ruling his millions and millions and without that peace which flows from the Lord of Hosts—without that contentment and joy that come from heaven, his palace is a prison; his life is a burden to him; he lives in fear, in dread, and in sorrow. But when a person is filled with the peace and power of God, all is right with him. (In Bowery, July 5, 1857, JD5:1-2) DBY:33
But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come. (Revelation, Aug. 7, 1831) D&C 59:23
The fruits of the gospel are the only objectives worthy of life's full efforts. Their possessor obtains true wealth—wealth in the Lord's view of values. We need to constantly deepen our understandings and sharpen our realization of what the fruits of the gospel are.
The Lord has defined them as "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." (D&C 59:23) It is a bit difficult to define the "peace in this world" referred to in the revelation, but we may be assured that it is not the ease, luxury, and freedom from struggle envisioned by the world's utopian dreamers. Jesus told his apostles that it would be found by them even in their days of tribulation. "Peace I leave with you," he said, "my peace I give unto you." And then, by way of caution, it seems to me, he added, "not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14:27)
A little later he reemphasized this statement in these words: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33)
Convincing evidence of the truth of this saying of the Master has come out of the most severe experiences. I suppose that the last few days of the Prophet Joseph Smith's life were crowded with about as much tribulation as any human being could endure. He was hounded by traitors, impeached by misguided and falsely accusing associates, called to account, promised protection, and then abandoned by his government. That all the while he knew he was approaching martyrdom is clear from the record. . . .
. . . . In this setting, knowing that his own life would be taken from him by force and violence, and viewing the trials and suffering that would be visited upon his believing followers, he said to the company who were with him, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a summer's morning." (HC6:555)
This is a classic of a person having at the same time tribulation in this world and peace in Christ. (Learning for Eternities, pp. 93-94) TLDP:462
I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent man. . . . (The words of the Prophet, en route to Carthage, Ill., where he was killed, June 24, 1844) HC6:555
Peace is the gift of God. Do you want peace? Go to God. Do you want peace in your families? Go to God. Do you want peace to brood over your families? If you do, live your religion, and the very peace of God will dwell and abide with you, for that is where peace comes from, and it doesn't dwell anywhere else. . . .
Some in speaking of war and troubles, will say are you not afraid? No, I am a servant of God, and this is enough, for Father is at the helm. It is for me to be as clay in the hands of the potter, to be pliable and walk in the light of the countenance of the Spirit of the Lord, and then no matter what comes. Let the lightnings flash and the earthquakes bellow, God is at the helm, and I feel like saying but little, for the Lord God Omni potent reigneth and will continue his work until he has put all enemies under his feet, and his kingdom extends from the rivers to the ends of the earth. (In Tabernacle, May 18, 1862, JD10:56,58) TLDP:460
Related Witnesses:
You who are engaged in deadly combat where all the forces of earth and hell seem to be combined to destroy life, if you have the assurance of the existence of things divine, you will be at peace even in the face of impending doom and though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you will fear no evil, but will feel the nearness of God's presence. (Youth and the Church, p. 52) TLDP:461-62
quoted by John
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Jesus tells his disciples of his death, resurrection, and divine Sonship) John 16:33
504. Christ is the bringer of peace.
Jesus' words bring peace; the preaching of the word to believing souls brings peace; the gospel is a message of peace, of peace on earth and good will to men. Peace is one of the gifts of the Spirit. No matter that there is persecution and sorrow and evil; the war cry of the saints is, "Be of good cheer," for Jesus has overcome the world. (The Mortal Messiah, 4:104) TLDP:468
What, then, say the scriptures as to peace—whose it is, whence it comes, and how struggling, feeble, wayward man may gain it?
1. They say: Peace comes from Jehovah. "Jehovah," or, as it has been Anglicized in the translation process, "the Lord" says the Psalmist, "will bless his people with peace." (Psalms 29:11) "He will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints." (Psalms 85:8) The great blessing, revealed through Moses and pronounced upon all Israel, contained the promise: "The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:26) And it was Jehovah himself who said, "If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them, . . . I will give peace in the land." (Leviticus 26:3-6He it is who promises to make, with the righteous of all ages, his "covenant of peace," which is the gospel covenant. (Ezekiel 37:26; Isaiah 54:10)
. . . . It is clear that the Lord Jehovah is the source of peace for his people. It is also clear that the promised Messiah would bring peace to those same people. Fully aware of these verities, the Lord Jesus—whose very birth had been heralded by angelic choirs singing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14)—this same Jesus near the climax of his ministry said: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14: 27) and "in me ye might have peace." (John 16:33) (The Promised Messiah, pp. 211-13) TLDP:469-71
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. . . . (Isaiah predicts the birth of the Messiah) Isaiah 52:7
quoted by John
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jesus comforts the Twelve in anticipation of his crucifixion) John 14:27
quoted by John
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Jesus tells his disciples of his death, resurrection, and divine Sonship) John 16:33
quoted by John
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (The risen Jesus appears to his assembled disciples) John 20:21
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (Paul writes to the Church at Corinth, Greece, about A.D. 55) 1 Corinthians 14:33
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (An angel from God appears to shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus Christ) Luke 2:14
505. The Holy Ghost can give peace to the soul of the righteous.
The function of the Holy Ghost is to guide men in the way of truth and peace. Jesus referred to him as "the Spirit of truth" when he said to his disciples: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: . . . and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13) CR1968Apr:115
The Holy Ghost is also a comforter; it has the power to give peace to the soul of the righteous. . . .
It is the Holy Ghost, or the Comforter, that fills us with hope and perfect love. (Moroni 8:26) Men find peace, contentment, and comfort when by the Holy Ghost they gain a testimony of the Christ. Without this spirit, one cannot teach correct doctrine. CR1966Oct:113-14
receiving the Word of the Lord
And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. (Revelation, Jan. 5, 1831) D&C 39:6
translating the Book of Moses
Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. (The record of Moses : Enoch recounts God speaking to Adam) Moses 6:61
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Paul writes to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor, about A.D. 55; he instructs them to walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit) Galatians 5:22-25
