Unshakable peace is a goal both almost universally sought and almost universally not found. Part of its elusiveness stems from a misunderstanding of what it comes from and how it works.
My yoke is easy
The Lord said his yoke is easy and his burden is light:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11)
The more aware you are of how things really are, the less likely you are to describe anything about reality as easy or light.
The key to understanding the apparent contradiction between what the Lord promised and what experience suggests is to understand that the peace the Lord offers is not what we think of when we hear “peace.”
The Lord said: “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.” (John 14:27)
The type of so-called peace offered by the world is extrinsic. It is found in things that come from without; what the scriptures call carnal security: the apparent absence of negative circumstances. Note the key elements of this definition: apparent absence is not the same as actual absence. So many of the things that have power to shake us from our peace are everpresent in this world. From one moment to the next, the most unlikely disaster can strike. This is in addition to the many less-than-disaster events that can still be quite disastrous.
The so-called peace offered by the world is not the real thing. It is a precursor, an invitation to seek and find the real thing.
While worldly peace is fleeting, fragile, and almost totally outside of your control, God’s peace is impenetrable, inalterable, and completely within your control.
We can be at peace the same way the earth is at peace in spite of the fact that it is constantly orbiting the sun, and despite the fact that the sun and all its planets are barreling through space. The sun’s heliosphere creates a bubble that pushes back the intergalactic radiation, which is like a fire. It creates ordered, mostly repetitive paths for the planets to traverse. It reduces the seemingly limitless chaos of space into an ordered system.
In a similar way, the Lord provides us with controlled exposure to the chaos of life. He has overcome all things. As we turn to him, we turn away from unfettered exposure to the chaos and into a guided experience whose outcome is for us to do the same.
Baptism is an illustration of the transition from unfettered exposure to chaos into the guided mentorship of Jesus Christ. The baptismal applicant responds to some limited exposure to the chaos possible in this world by aligning themselves with what little they know about God. As part of this, they seek a representative of Jesus Christ to receive the ordinance of baptism. The person who represents Jesus Christ immerses the applicant completely in the waters of chaos. While held in the protective embrace of the representative, the applicant is made aware of a limitless amount of chaos, but only for the moment it takes to be completely immersed in the water. After being pulled up from the water, the person is qualified to receive the Holy Ghost as long as they completely submit to Jesus Christ as their master. The Holy Ghost guides the baptized person through ever-increasing quantities of chaos, in an intentional, protected, personalized tour of the chaos that occurs as fast and for as long as the person is willing to learn.
The Lord is completely aware of the chaos we have only tasted. He dwells in this chaos, protected only by the principles he chooses to live by. The peace he has is available to us: first through trusting in his ability to filter our experiences down to only what benefits us so long as we obey and seek him fully, and second through tutoring us in his character so that we gain the power to overcome all things just as he has. Our access to both of these types of peace comes through our trust in him.
Trust in God gives externally untouchable peace
The world finds security in carnal things—temporal situations that are temporary, unreliable, and of low relative value compared to the peace that God offers:
6 ...Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4)
Peace in the world is measured by your goods or tangible situation. If you have lots of money, you feel secure. This is how the world gives peace, and it is completely worthless. Who your friends are, how much money you have, or whether your house is paid off will not protect you from bad things that can happen. The better your temporal situation, the more you have to lose. Worldly peace costs mental peace, and it seems like you can't have both at the same time.
When you realize the fleeting nature of all things here, you cease to seek or find peace in them. Enduring peace comes only from God.
The Lord Jesus said he gives peace, but a different kind of peace than the world purports to give. God's peace is not like what the world calls peace. It is not an externally induced calm or comfort. God’s peace, in contrast, is intrinsic. It comes from inside, and the more of it you have, the harder it is for anything outside of you to affect you.
God's peace has absolutely nothing to do with your temporal situation. You can have the Lord’s peace even when everything in this world seems to be going wrong.
The Lord’s peace can be present in spite of awful external circumstances.
King David was able to have tremendous peace in spite of awful situations that included being hunted for his life, being persecuted by those he had loved at great sacrifice, and living in conditions far poorer than his righteousness merited:
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49)
He further proclaimed:
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. (Psalm 3)
This was not figurative—David’s life was indeed sought by tens of thousands of people on more than one occasion. Yet he maintained tremendous peace.
The Lord’s peace has nothing to do with what things might be happening in your life, or what others are doing. It has everything to do with your relationship with and trust in God.
Stephen had perfect peace when being stoned to death because he trusted in God:
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7)
He was not alone in this. Paul was joyful in spite of imprisonment, beating, shipwrecks, and a death sentence:
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20)
Jeremiah had perfect peace, even when he couldn’t find anyone to listen to his message, which he preached at peril of his life. He still had peace, even when imprisoned in a cesspool.
Peter had perfect peace even when being crucified. Isaiah had perfect peace even while being sawn in half. Countless disciples of Christ had peace while being burned at the stake.
In every case, these people maintained untouchable peace because of their relationship with God. They knew him. They spoke with him. They knew from him their standing with him. They had no doubts as to their eternal posture with God. They did not merely believe that they were in good standing with God, they knew it.
Jesus had peace even when he was surrounded by fools, cowards, betrayers, and those who wanted to kill him. He did not get frustrated when his mission was complicated by the actions (or inactions) of others. He knew that if he was sincerely living up to what he knew was right in all things, he would please the Father, and that was all that mattered to him. His peace came from being able to say: “...the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8:29)
The world can’t break God’s promise of peace to those who love him. The Psalmist wrote that “...the Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11) Paul wrote:
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)
This world is full of turbulence, and it will get worse. Do not buy into any illusion of carnal security. Do not sell your birthright for a bowl of porridge. The only safety is in God's will and word.
How to increase the Lord’s peace in you
You receive the Lord’s peace as you have trust in him. Trusting in him means much more than merely wishing for peace. It requires actually believing everything he says and actually doing what he tells you. Trust in him means to seek him, learn from him, and act according to everything you learn. Or, as the Psalmist put it: “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 4:5) When you really trust God, even your feelings align with what he wants. Your heart becomes one with his.
God’s peace comes from a) knowing God's will for you, b) doing it without exception, and c) knowing his character sufficiently to believe his promises to you. When these qualities are present, you will have the peace that pervades the hearts and minds of all those that love God, and nothing in this world will be able to cause you to deviate from emulating God's character in yourself. No matter what hell you are put into, you will be in heaven. No one and nothing can take that away—only you can, through turning away from or distrusting God.
All of the manifold blessings from God come in a simple choice to trust him. That choice is yours to make.
God’s promises are unalterable
A significant amount of peace that God offers is found in his promises. No matter how bleak the situation may seem, God’s promises remain unalterable: “Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?” (D&C 58:31)
God’s promises will be fulfilled to the letter, every time, no matter what anyone else says or does, and no matter how hopeless a situation may seem:
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
Because of his power and reliability, God’s promises are the greatest source of peace available. They are a strong support in times of trouble, especially when joy is not readily apparent, because they can be leaned on to empower you to endure all things.
Abraham leaned on God’s promises, and because of it derived great strength and peace in spite of the fact that he still lacked a son in old age:
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15)
Paul leaned on God’s promises, and was able to not only be of good cheer himself, but to encourage others to do the same in spite of a terrifying shipwreck and subsequent struggle to stay alive:
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. (Acts 27)
It is easy to dismiss Paul and Abraham as exceptional, suggesting that God’s promises are out of reach for so-called “normal people.” However, God is no respecter of persons. He does not vary.
There exist situations in life that are too hard to endure without trust in God. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) Those without promises from God will fail to obey him in all things and in all situations. Their trust in him will be overcome by the difficulty of the situation. Therefore, it is critical to obtain promises from God.
The good news is that these promises abound. The scriptures are full of them. But do these promises apply to anyone?
God is perfectly fair and consistent. He provides the same blessings to anyone willing to fulfill their preconditions:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)
God’s promises are merely the explicit statement of the relationships of cause and effect of which he is aware. Therefore, all you need to do to receive his promises is the same thing anyone else did to receive them. The receipt of God’s promises—and therefore of God’s peace—is not a factor of obtaining arbitrary favor with God, but of seeking out the conditions of the promises, and following them. God’s promises are available to all those who love God, seek him, and obey him in spite of opposition: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)
God’s peace requires adhering to your sincere understanding of his character in your actions, beliefs, and feelings. His promises require that we conform to the conditions appointed: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:10) In order to receive his promises, you must actually do what he says.
The greatest of God’s promises is the gift of eternal life, which is the promise of all he has to give. Those who possess this promise, available to all who love and obey him, will have strength to overcome all things in life and obtain all joy.
There is no earthly power that can stand against God's will and word. As you follow him, you will see situations as impossible as the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, and you will see God’s promises cut right through them. The key to injecting this power into your life is to keep all of God's commandments, to seek and yield to his will in all things.
All things shall work together for the good of those who love God
A tremendous source of peace for the faithful is the knowledge that anything that happens to them is precisely arranged by an all-knowing, allloving God to lead them to the greatest possible joy: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) God does “all things ...for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15)
At times it might puzzle you to wonder how what you are going through is for your good. Trust God. He “...knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.” (2 Nephi 9:20) Furthermore,
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (2 Nephi 26:24)
Even if it doesn’t make sense to you, he knows how it will work for your good.
The Lord’s promise to care for those who seek, obey, and love him is easy to explain, but can be difficult to believe, particularly when surrounded by the afflictions existing in this world.
It is easier to trust God when we realize that we really have no clue just how good the things he has prepared for those who love him are: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) If we can’t even imagine what good God has prepared for us, how can we assume we know the details of how to get there? The only way to get there is to trust God unconditionally.
If you love and obey God, you have every reason to believe that no matter how bad your situation may seem, it is the shortest possible path to greater joy: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” (Psalm 25:10) Following the path he provides you will lead you to the greatest joy you can experience, both here and hereafter:
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2:41)
Everything that happens to you is for your good if you love and obey God, and that promise can bring you great peace.
If you trust in God and obey him, you have nothing to fear
If you believe and trust in God, you will be freed from fear. While any fear persists in you, you can be assured that you still need to learn to trust God to a greater degree. The key to gaining more trust in him is to learn more about his love for you:
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4)
The scriptures are overflowing with the promise that those who trust in God and obey him will be in his all-powerful care:
For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (1 Peter 3)
In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence... (Proverbs 14:26)
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (Psalm 18)
11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. (Ecclesiastes 8)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? (Psalm 118:6)
7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9 What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. (Nahum 1)
11 ...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (Psalm 84)
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: (Psalm 146)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (Psalm 27)
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalm 34)
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (Psalm 16)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalm 46)
`The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)1
God’s purposes can’t be frustrated
The Lord has repeatedly promised that whoever obeys him will be kept in his way: “...inasmuch as you keep my sayings you shall not be confounded in this world, nor in the world to come.” (D&C 93:52) For example, he has said that:
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)
Here, what seems like a promise to a specific individual is actually, on a careful reading, explicitly offered to all who serve the Lord and who live what he teaches them.
The Lord taught that:
1 The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.
2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.
3 Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men; (D&C 3)
He continued that we ought to lean into the promise that his purposes can’t be frustrated:
7 For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—
8 Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble. (D&C 3)
And why shouldn’t you trust that God can accomplish anything he wills? After all, he “knoweth all things.” (2 Nephi 2:24)