Comfort

As I listened to the speakers, a warm feeling within me grew. It felt as though I belonged. It felt like peace, like the smell of woodsmoke on an autumn day, like a breath of fresh air. Like home. As I tried to describe these feelings, one word came to mind; Comfort.

The above somewhat describes how I feel during the General Conference sessions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What is comfort? Why do we seek it? From where can we receive comfort?

What Is Comfort?

The word comfort has two definitions:

1. A state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint
2. The easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress

When I think about comfort, I also think about peace. In the Gospel According to St. John in the New Testament, chapter 14 talks about peace and comfort. In verse 27 Jesus says to His apostles “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.”

Comfort (peace) therefore is a lack of being troubled or afraid. It is a sense of right.

Why Do We Seek Comfort?

In this crazy chaotic world, we need a sense of calm, of peace, of comfort. No one likes to “go around like a chicken with its head cut off.” The stresses of work, family, society, politics, and everything we feel we have to do can be overwhelming.

How many of us have thought at one time or another “When will this end? When can things go smoothly?” What we’re really seeking is comfort. A place where we can relax and breathe. Somewhere that feels safe and where the chaos has abated.

The feeling of comfort also allows us to reset and prioritize. I know in my life that being able to reset and figure out what I need to focus on lets me feel even more at peace. It puts an order in my life that can then reduce the feelings of overwhelm.

From Where Do We Receive Comfort?

In John 14:18, we read “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” God and Jesus have never meant for us to live this life alone or feel that they have abandoned us. They love us and want us to have every opportunity to live a life that will lead us back to Their presence. For this reason, there is a third member of the Godhead; The Holy Ghost.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). The Holy Ghost has been sent by the Father to help us. He is the one that provides us with that feeling of comfort.

My Thoughts

In my life, the Holy Ghost has touched me several times. Most recently I have been impressed to write a little about it. Here is what I produced:

How Can We Be Comforters?

The second definition of comfort (see above) talks about easing a person’s grief and/or distress. The Holy Ghost definitely does that for us individually. But are we to just let the Holy Ghost do this job? Or can we become comforters to others?

Paul, in his second epistle to the Corinthians states:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When we have been comforted by the Holy Ghost we can, and should, help comfort others. That comfort can come in many different ways. We can:

• Help someone physically with a labor they have to perform
• Listen to another as they detail what is happening in their lives
• Stay quiet and just be a comforting presence when someone needs it
• Surprise someone when we know that there is something going on, even if we don’t know the details

The list goes on and on but the point is that we should be ready to help the Holy Ghost in His role as Comforter.

General Conference Brings Comfort

In the opening, I mentioned listening to speakers. This was a direct reference to General Conference. The feeling of comfort I get while listening to the Lord’s chosen leaders helps me to refocus and recommit to the things that matter most. My trust in God and His plan is strengthened.

My hope is that General Conference can bring comfort to others. I echo the counsel of our leaders to come to the conference with questions and expect to receive answers. I am a witness that those answers come through the Holy Ghost.

Conclusion

We all need comfort in our lives. This world is chaotic, distracting, and overwhelming. In order to combat those feelings, God has given the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, as a way to bring comfort to each of us. We can also be comforters to others and help them find comfort. Finally, our leaders’ words can bring comfort as they are affirmed by the Holy Ghost in our hearts and minds.