Today in Elders Quorum we had a great lesson from the new Howard W Hunter manual entitled “My Peace I Give Unto You“.
Before class though, we spent some time introducing ourselves: where we’re from and our favorite football team (most of us were Seahawks fans so we weren’t too thrilled about the outcome of the game today–one of us was a Steelers fan and that’s like a swear word here in the Seattle area! We determined we needed to pray for our brother’s soul : ). It was interesting how many guys had great positive memories attached to their football teams. For example, Steve Capps remembers watching Cowboys games with his Dad and laying his head down in his “squishy belly”!
After the introductions, there were some very good conversations about how we can obtain peace when things in our world seem to be in turmoil.
Danny Kim, the instructor, read some experiences about Howard W Hunter when his wife was going in for a serious surgery and as he prayed, he felt an overwhelming peace and comfort come over him. He then asked us to share stories of faith where we felt peace during a period of disaster or sickness.
Pres. Wolf shared a story about when his wife got some clots in her lungs and he was afraid for her life. However, as he prayed with her and laid his hands on her to give her a blessing, he felt a strong sense she would be fine and peace filled his soul.
I shared a story of when we thought we were losing our baby, and as I gave the blessing to my wife, I felt a great sense of peace came over us and we knew things were going to be OK, which they were and are still.
Finally, Br Capps shared a story of the recent cancer that his wife had and is working on still. It sounded like they are doing fine and that through the power of faith, prayer, blessings, and patience, they are doing well.
How does Jesus Give us Peace?
The question was then posed: How does Jesus Give us Peace?
Another Elder in our Quorum, Todd, shared a touching story to illustrate how Jesus gives us peace.
He shared a story about a time when he was living in Hawaii and one of the members of his ward (congregation) ran over and killed another ward member’s son due to speeding.
He described how the father, whose son died, got up publicly and forgave the person who did that to his son and that he felt a great comfort and peace knowing the Plan of Salvation and how he would be able to see his son again someday.
This story reminded me of a touching conference talk by Elder Faust a few years ago called “The Healing Power of Forgiveness“, where he shares a touching story of Amish community members who forgave one of their own who killed many of their friends and family.
The Atonement of Christ and the Plan of Salvation are the main things that give us peace, it was determined.
I left the meeting uplifted and felt closer to my fellow Elders as well as thankful for the Atonement and Plan of Salvation and the peace Jesus give us.
What are your thoughts on how Jesus gives us peace and what experiences do you have on how He has comforted you in times of trouble?
Grace for Grace 
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January 18, 2016 at 1:47 am
Ken Knickerbocker
We don’t talk about pure forgiveness as a path to peace enough in the church so I’m glad to see it mentioned here.
I live in a town five miles from where the Amish shooting happened. My town’s fire and ambulance core were called into action to secure the school house and get the girls the medial attention they needed.
Having observed the Amish for many years, I told a friend the afternoon of the shooting, the parents of the girls killed would forgive the killer by the end of the week.
I was wrong.
In fact, before the day was out, Amish community Elders were in the home of the gunman’s widow (he took his own life as police closed in) inquiring about her and her children’s welfare.
Five of their daughters had been killed and another five maimed, and they had the welfare of the perpetrator’s family in mind. One of the most god-like actions I had ever witnessed.
How I wish we could capture and retain that sense of mercy and grace in our culture.
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January 18, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Cal
Thanks very much for that, Ken. I saw a movie about those events. (You live in Pennsylvania?)
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January 25, 2016 at 7:15 am
Ken Knickerbocker
Yes, a hour west of Philadelphia right on the edge of Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
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January 18, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Cal
One time a few people in our church prayed for my wife and me while we sat in a chair. One lady prayed against deception. It was obvious she was praying that way because she thought we were deceived in thinking Mormonism is Christian. An older lady then saw a picture in her mind. I can’t remember the details but she saw my wife and me in a situation where we were apparently receiving something from heaven. Her vision from God seemed to contradict the insinuation of the prayer against deception. One of the other persons who had been praying for us, and who apparently agreed with the prayer against deception, grunted, as if to say, “I guess we’re not going to accomplish anything tonight.”
Isn’t God good? Isn’t it neat when he comes through with encouragement right when Satan tries to discourage!
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