Quinten L. Cook, April 2013 General Conference, http://www.lds.org
Key Doctrine and Principles
- Agency is essential
- The Savior is the source of peace
- Covenants with the Lord bring peace
- Sacred places can be a refuge for peace
Favorite Quotes
“Agency is essential to the plan of happiness. It allows for the love, sacrifice, personal growth, and experience necessary for our eternal progression. This agency also allows for all the pain and suffering we experience in mortality, even when caused by things we do not understand and the devastating evil choices of others. The very War in Heaven was waged over our moral agency and is essential to understanding the Savior’s earthly ministry.”
“We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies.”
“Emma Lou Thayne’s beloved hymn asks the appropriate questions: “Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole?” The answer is the Savior, who is the source and author of peace. He is the “Prince of Peace.””
“The Church is a refuge where followers of Christ attain peace. Some young people in the world say they are spiritual but not religious. Feeling spiritual is a good first step. However, it is in the Church that we are fellowshipped, taught, and nourished by the good word of God. More importantly, it is priesthood authority in the Church that provides for sacred ordinances and covenants that bind families together and qualify each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. These ordinances bring peace because they are covenants with the Lord.”
“More importantly, it is priesthood authority in the Church that provides for sacred ordinances and covenants that bind families together and qualify each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. These ordinances bring peace because they are covenants with the Lord. Temples are where many of these sacred ordinances occur and are also a source of peaceful refuge from the world. Those who visit temple grounds or participate in temple open houses also feel this peace.”
Why this Matters to Me
This talk is an example of Elder Cook teaching about the gospel through calamity. While world peace is a worthy goal, we cannot expect the world to be at peace. We have been blessed with ways to still have peace in our homes and with our families in spite of the world. Through our moral agency, we can choose to follow the Savior. The priesthood, or power of God, brings us peace through the ordinances and covenants we make. Temples are a place where we can find peace when our own lives have been filled with turmoil. A year ago my youngest son had an accident and was hospitalized. Though we were sad and upset, I insisted that I wanted to go to the temple. As we walked through the gates onto temple grounds my husband started giggling. He kept quietly giggling when we were waiting in the chapel before a session. He told me later that he felt the weight lifted from his shoulders. It was such a difference he couldn’t help but laugh from the relief and joy. I know that as we seek the Lord and are true to our covenants, he will bless us with peace.
rebeccainspired 