A World in Commotion
Turn on the news and you will see a world in commotion. Though distressing and discouraging, this shouldn’t be a surprise–we know there is to be commotion in the last days:
“And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.
“And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26-27).
It can be challenging to live amidst all this commotion and it absolutely requires significant emotional resilience. Yet, it is reassuring to me that the covenant people of God have a greater power on which to lean, namely their covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.
There Is Power in the Covenant Relationship
The following are five quotes from leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that describe the power that comes from a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ:
There is power in the covenant relationship. Higher, heavenly power. Help and healing. Reach and redemption. Joy. Remember, He descended below all things for each one of us.
He Will Save You
Two examples from the mortal ministry of Jesus illustrate His power to save. Interestingly, they both have to do with the commotion from storms :
Recall when Peter is invited by the Lord to walk to Him on the water. Peter steps out of the boat, and (as the only other person to do so that we know of) he begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. However, the wind comes and Peter becomes afraid. He starts to sink. He cries out: “Save me!” and Jesus immediately catches him, saying, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (see Matthew 14:29-31).
Second, Jesus and his disciples are crossing a lake when a violent storm arises and threatens to swamp their boat; the terrified disciples wake Jesus, who then calms the wind and waves with the command: “Peace, be still.” Jesus then asks the disciples, “Where is your faith?” (see Luke 8:22-25 and Mark 4:39).
In both of these examples Jesus asks the disciples about their faith. We often think Jesus was questioning Peter’s faith because Peter failed to finish walking on water and began to drown. But what if Jesus was actually wondering why Peter would doubt if He would actually save him? And with the disciples in the boat in the second example, was Jesus asking them where their faith was to calm the sea? Or rather was He wondering if they thought He would really let them die?
Further, in both of these cases, Jesus brought stillness to rather turbulent situations. In the first, He saved Peter despite what the wind may have continued to do. In the second, He calms the actual storm. In all the commotion in the world around you, do you actually believe Jesus will save you? He will either save you in the storm or from the storm, but He will save you.
He promises He will:
“And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved.
“And they that have been scattered shall be gathered.
“And all they who have mourned shall be comforted.
“And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned.
“Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:12-16).
Those on the watch-tower–Israel–are the covenant people and will be saved from all the commotion around them. We can let our hearts be comforted because we are in His hands. Because of that He expects us to trust His power and be still.
Be Still
Whenever I have felt as if I am in commotion, the hymn “Be Still My Soul” has brought comfort. Whether during a time of transition, the passing of a loved one, or the need for calm when feeling the effects of depression and anxiety, this hymn has helped me reground and anchor to my Savior. It has literally helped me be still.
Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
I realize it may be easier said than done.
But, as President Nelson has reminded us, “Despite the world’s commotion, the Lord would have us look forward to the future “with joyful anticipation.”1
Be still. Trust Jesus. Believe He will save. Find comfort in your covenant relationship with Jesus Christ that binds you to Him in a powerful way.2
Lead image by David Tip on Unsplash
P.S. I really loved this Instagram post from President Holland about the verses in D&C 101:
- Russell M. Nelson, “A New Normal“, General Conference, October 2020.
- see “The Power Thereof” at www.razingtherameumptom.com
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