Again everyone, sorry for the time between new posts. I re-posted a previous blog in response to a question that was left by a reader, and hopefully those of you who are following were able to catch that.
Since I haven't had any new questions recently, and I've had a bit of a crazy week here lately staying in Southern IL. with tornadoes hitting neighboring cities and funnel clouds being near by, my mind has been reflecting on a question that someone we are working with in Harrisburg, IL. said. He told us that his goal in life is to reach an internal, eternal peace. So I thought, why not shed some light on the question: How do we obtain peace in this life?
Let's start with setting the scene of one of the greatest talks, declarations, or addressing, call it what you will, that exists in the scriptures; in my opinion. In the Book of Mormon there is a record of a righteous king named Benjamin. King Benjamin ruled his kingdom in love and service to his people. He taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them , and lived it himself, living in no hypocrisy. In his final days he commanded that the people of his kingdom be gathered together outside of the Temple walls while he delivered to them his final address from a tower. In part of that address he stated the following:
" 40 O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
41 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 2:40-41
King Benjamin states it pretty clearly if you ask me. As one keeps the commandments he, or she, is in a "blessed and happy state". If one does not keep the commandments, they will be subject to an "awful situation". What are the commandments we are to keep? Well there are the governing 10 that the children of Israel were given by the Lord on top of Mt. Sinai through the prophet Moses:
- Thou shalt have no other Gods before me,
- Though shalt not make unto the any graven images.
- That shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.
- Honor thy Father and thy Mother.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness.
- Thou shalt not covet.
" 27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;
28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.
29 Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart;" 3 Nephi 12:27-29
Now we know that we are not perfect. We know that we will not always make the right choices and keep the commandments perfectly. We don't want to be left in an "awful situation", or "a state of endless misery and woe" as the scriptures define it. If we obtain peace and happiness in life both here and hereafter by keeping the commandments, then what are we to do when we don't keep those commandments that have been given?
We are to rely on the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. King Benjamin continued in his address to teach his people, and us, how it is possible to truly obtain peace. He said:
"8 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith...
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
13 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." Mosiah 4:8-13
"7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning...
9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name..." Mosiah 3:7-9
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