Inner Peace

In Kung Fu Panda 2, Master Shifu tries to find inner peace. I love this scene where he tries to force inner peace but ends up getting frustrated by the distraction of a bird’s wings flapping and then said bird landing about 20 feet away. In our lives, we also search for inner peace. Sometimes we may even try to force it as Master Shifu does. Like Master Shifu, forcing inner peace doesn’t work. However, we can achieve inner peace through our Savior Jesus Christ.

In his April 2023 address “Finding Personal Peace“, President Henry B. Eyring discusses “what [he has] learned about the miracle of finding personal peace, whatever our circumstances.” He quotes John 14:27, “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.”

What is His Peace?

What is this peace the Savior is referring to? I think we can know somewhat what he meant through a couple of examples:

First, let’s look at the time when Christ and His disciples were crossing the sea of Galilee as found in Luke 8:22-25. In this scene from the Savior’s life, He and his disciples are crossing the sea and He takes up a position in the boat where He can fall asleep. As He is sleeping a storm comes upon the ship. This storm was so ferocious that even the seasoned fishermen in the boat began to fear for their lives. Yet, Christ slept on. Finally, the disciples wake their sleeping Lord who then commands the sea to be calm and the storm to cease.

This example shows that Christ’s peace allows us to be calm no matter what storm rages around us. The fact that He could sleep during the turbulence going on around Him shows the inner peace He can provide.

The second example is an observation of the prophet Joseph Smith. Quoting from “Joseph Smith the Prophet”:

We have a glimpse of his sleeping ability from Lorin Farr, who observed that even in the Missouri persecution days, even under pressure – and of course he was then under the kind of pressure that leads to the worst fatigue – he could sit down at the base of a tree and almost instantly fall into slumber, but almost as instantly snap back to full and alert activity. That may have something to do with a clear conscience and the assurance that God is with you.

Joseph Smith the Prophet, Madsen, p. 30

I believe that the prophet could fall asleep and wake up so easily because of the inner peace he attained through his relationship with Christ and in the keeping of His commandments.

The last example of this inner peace comes from the life of Paul the Apostle. Paul was brought before King Agrippa (see Acts 26) and permitted to speak about the charges brought against him. A man who did not have the inner peace Paul obtained probably would not have spoken so boldly. It was so well done in fact that Agrippa told Paul after “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (verse 28).

I have had some experiences where inner peace has served me well. It is through these experiences that I believe I understand what the Savior meant when He said “My peace I give unto you.”

When I was serving in the Chile, Santiago South mission, my companion and I were visiting the house of a member whose son was not a member of the church. This son was also a local policeman and he was not very friendly towards the members of the church. We didn’t know that he would be coming home while we were there and were unprepared for what would happen.

My companion at the time was a native Chilean and so this son addressed him directly. I was sitting and the son’s back was towards me. The son asked if this was his home. My companion answered yes. He then asked if he could do whatever he wanted in his home. Again, the answer was yes. He then asked, “I could kill you if I wanted to yes?”. Now, I was sitting directly behind him and could see his revolver tucked into his pants. I was thinking, it wouldn’t take much for him to draw and fire. However, I was calm. I don’t know quite why, but I think it had to do with the fact that my companion and I were doing the Lord’s work. My companion must have also been feeling that peace as he remained calm and collected. At the end we merely gathered up our backpacks, wished this man a good day and left with him looking at our backs. We never discussed that incident, but I know both of us were grateful to have had that feeling of inner peace during a situation that could have ended very badly.

The Holy Ghost Brings Peace

President Eyring teaches us that the Holy Ghost is the bringer of that inner peace. He relates five truths he has learned from the Savior’s teachings about the Comforter:

1. The gift of peace is given after we have the faith to keep His commandments
2. The Holy Ghost will come and abide with us
3. The Savior promises that as we keep our covenants, we can feel the love of the Father and the Son for each other and for us
4. Keeping the Lord’s commandments requires more than obedience
5. It is clear that the Lord loved us enough to pay the price of our sins so that we can … have the gift of the peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philipians 4:7) in this life and with Him eternally

Looking at the examples of Joseph Smith and Paul, we see that these five truths were present. Both had faith to keep the commandments. Both had the Holy Ghost come and abide with them. They had made and kept covenants allowing them to feel more of God and the Savior’s love. Their actions showed that they kept the commandments more than just by obeying them. Finally, they showed that their inner peace was part of their character and makeup.

In my life, peace has always come when I have heeded the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I have lost that peace when I have gone my own way. There is a noticeable difference between having and not having inner peace in life. Over the years I have learned that it is better to follow the Holy Ghost and maybe offend man than it is to appease man and lose the peace offered through Christ.

Can We Maintain Inner Peace?

I have found in my life that I oscillate between having inner peace and going without. I have asked if it is possible to constantly have inner peace. My answer is a resounding yes, even though I am not perfect at maintaining inner peace. I believe that Joseph Smith and Paul found inner peace through their obedience to God’s law and their willingness to do God’s will. The key to maintaining inner peace therefore is the latter of the two.

I am more than willing to obey God’s law. I find that it is not that hard. However, subjugating my will to His is a great challenge. We are constantly reminded to “be our own selves”, or to “live independently”. Being willing to do God’s will pricks at that independence. If you’re like me, there is an instant reaction to not want to do it. I don’t like to be told what to do with my life, and yet, is it really going to go bad for me if God is directing?

In Mosiah 3:19, King Benjamin talks about the natural man being an enemy to God. The reaction to rebel against the will of God is a manifestation of our natural man. This is a course that will lead us to inner turmoil and not inner peace.

So how does one overcome that initial reaction to rebel against God’s will? I find that if I take a deep breath and not act on the reaction, but rather look at what is being asked, I can determine the best course for me to take. My mind calms, the Holy Ghost can enter in and give reassurance, and my emotions level out. This then gives me the power to choose what I want to do. The choice I then make hasn’t been a knee-jerk reaction, but one I’ve calmly chosen. Normally, my choice will be to do the will of God.

Helping Others Find Inner Peace

President Eyring states, “Members across the Church have felt the Lord’s gift of personal peace. He is encouraging everyone to help others have opportunities to come unto Him and qualify for that same peace themselves. They, in turn, will choose to seek inspiration to know how they can pass that gift along to others.” Who of us wouldn’t want to help those we love find inner peace?

As a father, I want my children to experience the inner peace that the Savior gives. Through my examples and teachings, I hope that my children have felt that peace and desire it. I have not been perfect in this endeavor, and I have made my share of mistakes, but I hope that I have been able to convey the peace of Christ to my children.

As a neighbor, friend, and colleague, I hope how I live my life exemplifies the peace I have found. I have had times when people have asked me about my life and religion. I have gladly shared why I believe as I do. In those moments, I pray that the peace of Christ touches their lives and that they will desire to find that peace for themselves.

Conclusion

Inner peace allows us to have a clear conscience. It gives us clarity in times of chaos. We cannot force inner peace, we have to find it. It can be found through the Holy Ghost and given to us as we have faith in Christ, keep His commandments, and strive to help others find it as well. One day, I hope to achieve the same inner peace that Joseph Smith and Paul showed in their lives.

Tips for Teaching

When teaching about inner peace you may want to consider:

1. Defining what inner peace means. Present examples of people who exhibit this characteristic.
2. Discuss why the Holy Ghost is also known as the Comforter and how being comforted brings us peace.
3. Describe a time in your own life when you have felt inner peace. Ask the class if anyone would like to share one of their own experiences.