Finding Personal Peace

I am a southern Utah native, evidently so in the way I consistently pray for moisture, but after all of these years, this week was my first and probably last time repelling down some red rock cliffs.

For those more experienced in this type of thing, forgive the amateur way I’ll speak about rock climbing and repelling, but maybe the oversimplified explanation will help me and anyone else also not a huge fan of risking their lives as a weekend hobby visualize and understand a few small lessons.

I was with well-experienced company. We hiked to the top of the rock and made our way closer to the edge than any normal individual should ever want to. The First thing I made note of was the anchor, in this case, an iron spike secured on the top of the rock. Attached to this anchor was a rope that went from the top of this cliff to the canyon floor. Each repeller had a harness fitted to them and was properly secured to the rope with appropriate fasteners and carabiner. While a repeller is descending, they are closely watched by a belayer, an individual at the foot of the cliff who controls the safety rope for the climber.

This being my first time, I carefully walked through all the steps including where to place my hands and feet and what to do in certain scenarios. I was reassured that at any moment if I slipped or came upon any problem, I was secured to the rock, locked into a harness, and protected by my belayer.

And then you just walk backward off the side of the cliff. Easy money.

There are many lessons to be gleaned from this demonstration of rocks and anchors and belayers, And I have heard many brilliant ones. And I wouldn’t be the first or the last to share some of my own. Here’s something specific that stood out to me.

Long before I had ever reached the point of stepping off of the cliff, I had decided to trust the anchor, the equipment, and all those around me who were more experienced than I was, including my belayer and those shouting directions from elevated perspectives. But I found the first few steps off of the ledge to be the most difficult, not because of doubt in the equipment or the setup or fear of heights or falling, but because I was unsure of what I needed to do to safely descend. I didn’t know how it was supposed to feel leaning into the harness, hanging from the rope, etc. Being unsure of my role and how I would know if I was fulfilling it well made for a slow and pretty shaky first few steps.

And if you’ve ever felt like your steps are a little shaky, you’re in good company.

In April, our beloved Prophet, President Russel M. Nelson shared the world’s need for Peacemakers in the Sunday morning session of General Conference.

He shares, “You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”

But before Sunday morning and being able to be a peacemaker now and always, Saturday morning yielded President Eyring’s precursory message of Finding Personal Peace. Those two messages work in inspired tandem to set us up for success in finding and recognizably sharing peace sourced in God our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.

We are led by wise men.

I’d like to share some of what those wise men have shared, and particularly what it has meant to me - especially in times of shaky steps and fearful descent. I pray the Spirit will be present to provide clarity and needed messages, and ultimately testify of the One who Leads those wise men and all those who’ve covenanted to “Follow the Prophet.”

President Eyring, in his sweet, inspired words, shared a reassuring message.

“The Savior knows that all of Heavenly Father’s children yearn for peace, and He said that He could give it to us.”

I noted earlier how the decision to trust my equipment and the experts were not made while dangling off the side of the cliff. Too often we view the state of our spirits with less intensity than this desperate scene of dangling off of a cliff - when it should be regarded with even more intention and realization. Our spirits are the stuff of eternity, And the Father of them has provided everything needed for a safe return home.

President Eyring speaks of the kind of peace that the Lord himself supplies to those eternal spirits, even you and me.

“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.”

To truly appreciate the next five truths about the Savior’s peace Pres. Eyring shares, I considered times when my heart was troubled and afraid.

By Identifying the certain things that have worked to bring me the greatest personal peace, I recalled the moments in my life when I’ve felt the greatest absence of peace.

An absence or lack of peace for me, in a very real way, can be described quite simply.

Times with no peace, were times of indecision, and refusing to acknowledge the Lord’s hand. Using personal experience and the Truths from Pres. Eyring, I’ll speak to both of those.

Personal Peace is personal decisiveness.

Pres. Eyring begins his list of truths with the following - “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.”

Peace comes when we decide, and follow through on those decisions. The Holy Ghost will come and abide with us as we do so.

Again, my decision to trust the anchor, the rope, the rock, and the help came long before my descent. But understanding and fulfilling my personal responsibility had to take place in a position of vulnerability, even on my way down the side of the cliff.

Likewise, our decision to trust our equipment and elevated perspectives happens long before desperation sets in.

The Savior Himself is a beautiful example of decisiveness. Even using God-given, plan of salvation-fueling agency to do the will of the Father in all things, and to allow peace to penetrate the greatest storms.

In Mark chapter 4, we read of one of those storms.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

We often read these verses, but skip my favorite detail of the story, back in verse 35.

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.”

Before the storm, before even stepping foot on the boat, He had already decided to pass over to the other side.

Now, we’re not the Savior, with power that even the winds and the waves obey. But we, too, can decide now with the same power and conviction where we are going, and trust He who sent us will deliver. - Long before the storm comes.

A testimony of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ, translated by a prophet of God, so supposed discrepancies or historical inaccuracies have no chance to cause doubt. Sustaining Joseph Smith as that prophet, with the keys to restoring the Savior’s gospel in this dispensation long before comments of naysayers have any power to sway or discourage.

Loving the Savior and His chosen vessel - even the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- of delivering the world the priesthood power and access to the covenants of Salvation, so critiquing it and its leaders never becomes not only common practice but not practiced at all.

Committing to those covenants made by God’s power in the temple, including a commitment to wearing the temple garment on our person and the Savior in our countenance long before societal trends, worldly views, or more hidden, personal trials pose any threat.

Personal peace comes when we decide now where we’re going. Courageously deciding and moving forward.

Always open to Heaven's guidance, even redirection, but never waiting to be compelled in all things.

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

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

He shares, “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.”

I didn’t criticize the anchor, rope, or harness while they were all working to lower me safely to the ground. I didn’t blame them for my fear or discomfort.

I certainly didn’t detach myself from them, the only things securing me to the rock, much like the covenants I’ve made, certain I could hang from the rock and whatever and Whomever the Rock represents, on my own.

No.

I took one shaky step after another, finding my responsibility alongside those charged with delivering me safely to the ground. And just like all those I trusted offered from below, “It’s much easier once you get past the first ledge.”

It was, and it is. Especially when we remember, we’ve already decided to pass over to the other side.

Heaven’s help is available, and ours is the responsibility to access it. No peace is found when we, in the 1st Kings wording of the circumstance, halt between two opinions.

Peace is found in Acting obediently in faith until the witness comes, even if that witness won’t come until heaven.

Finding personal peace? Finding a personal responsibility in following the Savior. Personal footing. A personal testimony. Greater confidence is sourced in greater Spirituality.

In a world that discredits and often dismisses personal responsibility, the Savior and His teachings inspire capability and participation.

They ask more because they can give more. By dismissing responsibility, we dismiss our ability to reap the blessings of applied obedience.

Blessings only available because of Jesus Christ, accessed only by His mercy and our agency.

To help us accurately view our works and the Lord’s grace, President Eyring boldly shares, “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,”4 in this life and with Him eternally.

My testimony of the peace that passeth all understanding, and the One that offers it.

Words from our prophet: “The Lord loves you. He always has. The Lord wants you to come back. Your promised blessings are still in place.”

A message prepared and delivered by Shelbey Townsend, June 2023.