My Peace I Give Unto You
The world will not and cannot offer peace. Peace is a gift from God, given to “the peacemakers” and the “peaceable followers of Christ” who exercise faith in Him, repent and come unto Him. True followers who are born again in Christ are they who are “filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ.”
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The Peace Jesus Gives to Us
In John 14:27, the Savior says,
John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.What is this peace He is speaking of, and how can we receive it? How is it different than the peace of the world? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches,
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.How can we be a peacemaker? Are we not already the children of God?
Why does Paul call the gospel “the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15), when so often following the Lord’s path seems to bring the opposite of peace?
We find the answers to these questions as we study the doctrine of Christ in the scriptures.
What is the Doctrine of Christ?
When Christ comes to the Nephites, He teaches them what He calls “my doctrine” in 3 Nephi 11:32. Nephi also teaches the same thing, calling it the doctrine of Christ, in 2 Nephi 31:21. For simplicity, we summarize this doctrine into four basic steps, which is taught in different language by different prophets.
- Come unto Christ:
- a broken heart and contrite spirit
- meekness
- faith
- repentance
- baptism by water
- First Comforter:
- the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost
- redemption
- rebirth
- becoming a child of Christ
- Endure to the end:
- press forward feasting on the words of Christ
- hold to the iron rod
- receiving through revelation how to receive the next step
- Second Comforter:
- enter the presence of Christ in his glory
- salvation
- the promise of eternal life
- calling and election made sure
This is the path of ascension, or progression, that Christ lays out for us. The scriptures teach it all over if you know how to see it.
Peace in the Doctrine of Christ
The scriptures frequently use the word “peace.” Often, it’s a blessing promised to certain people, in return for certain things. But how does peace fit in with the doctrine of Christ? Many times, the scriptures mention peace in connection with the first comforter, or baptism of fire and Holy Ghost.
We can see this in the account of King Benjamin’s people:
Mosiah 4:3
3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.The account of Adam also mentions peace in connection with the first:
Moses 6:61
61 Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.Paul also links peace to the Holy Ghost:
Romans 14:17-19
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Alma & the 300 Lamanites
After crying out to the Lord for mercy, Alma received a remission of his sins, and peace to his soul.
Alma 38:8
8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.The story of the 300 Lamanites is another powerful example.
Helaman 5:45
45 And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words.46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
Similarities with the Holy Ghost
Many times the scriptures use peace to describe how the Holy Ghost works, or in similar language to how they describe the Holy Ghost elsewhere. Consider these scriptures:
D&C 6:22
22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Notice the parallel to D&C 8, with the mention of “heart and mind”.
D&C 8:2
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.1 Corinthians 14:33
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.This shows similarities to D&C 9, where the Lord is teaching Oliver Cowdery about how to receive revelation. The opposite of peace and the workings of the Holy Ghost is a stupor of thought.
D&C 9:8
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right, I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.
Links with Doctrine of Christ Language
When we start to see peace connected to the first comforter, we can also link it to other doctrine of Christ language.
D&C 19:23
23 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.Can you see the faith and repentance, broken heart and contrite spirit? What is the promise after that? The first comforter: Peace in Him.
John the Baptist’s father, upon restoration of his speech, made a beautiful prophecy about his newborn son’s mission, including this verse:
Luke 1:79
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.What is the way of peace he guides our feet to? It is the strait and narrow path that we enter by receiving the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost.
Peace & Eternal Life
The scriptures frequently link peace to eternal life as well. Knowing that “eternal life” is the promise we receive with the second comforter this seems especially significant.
D&C 59:23
23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.1 Nephi 14:7
7 …I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually…In other words, the great and marvelous work (the everlasting covenant) accomplishes receiving both comforters. Instead of showing the method of entering the covenant, (broken heart and contrite spirit), this verse shows the consequence of the opposite. Hard hearts and spiritual blindness will result in captivity and destruction.
Peace in the Old Testament
Although wicked men removed many plain and precious truths from the Bible, the doctrine of Christ is still present there, albeit harder to identify. If we look for code words that link to this doctrine, it becomes more clear. Peace is a common code word for the First Comforter in both the Old and New Testaments.
We are all familiar with the story of Moses and the children of Israel in the Old Testament. D&C 84 gives us more insight into their spiritual condition:
D&C 84:23-24
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God.24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
After the Lord condemned the Israelites, He gave them a lower law to live. Part of the Law of Moses included three types of altar sacrifices: sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings. Even though the Law of Moses was a lower law, by design it still pointed the Israelites to Christ, and to invite them to enter the everlasting covenant, through beautiful symbology. The three kinds of offerings always followed the same order:
- the sin offering (repentance)
- the burnt offering (sanctification)
- the peace offering
Can you see the doctrine of Christ here? After repenting, we can be purified by the baptism of fire, and then receive the Holy Ghost.
Other Old Testament Examples
Isaiah gives us some poetic imagery here:
Isaiah 48:20-22
20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
We can see the contrast- the Lord redeems his servants, but there is no peace (no redemption/first comforter) unto the wicked. Isaiah often teaches about the doctrine of Christ using peace.
Isaiah 59:8
8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.Isaiah 32:17
17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace.Consider this verse in Jeremiah, warning against false prophets in the last days:
Jeremiah 6:14
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.Do you know anyone who preaches frequently about the Holy Ghost, when none of their followers are receiving it?
This scripture in Malachi also links life and peace, and even mentions the covenant and fearing the Lord!
Malachi 2:5
5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.Peace in the New Testament
Peace also connects to the First Comforter in the New Testament, especially in the teachings of Paul.
Romans 5:1
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:As we enter the everlasting covenant, we are justified by faith. In other words, the Lord declares us clean, and pleads with the Father to adopt us as His own and bestows the gift of the Holy Ghost upon us.
2 Timothy 2:22
22 …follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.Follow the path of the Doctrine of Christ- faith and repentance, resulting in charity and peace (the first comforter) for those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (broken heart and contrite spirit).
The New Testament also links life and peace, as we can see in this verse. Spiritual mindedness results in receiving the two comforters.
Romans 8:6
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.Peter also teaches the doctrine of Christ here:
1 Peter 3:10-12 (NASB)
10 For, the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.11 He must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the lord are toward the righteous, And his ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the lord is against evildoers.
If you desire eternal life, then you must repent, seek peace and pursue it (seek for the gift of the Holy Ghost).
Peacemakers- The Children of God
Both in the Bible and Book of Mormon, Jesus teaches the beatitudes, including this one:
3 Nephi 12:9
9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.Aren’t we all children of God? What then is there that we must do in order to become “children of God”? Many scriptures teach this concept:
John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John teaches here that Jesus must give us the power to become the children of God, and that first we must believe on his name. We find nearly identical scriptures all through the scriptures. This one in D&C adds more context:
D&C 45:8
8 I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.Not only does He give us power to become the sons of God, He also gives power to do miracles (a gift of the spirit), and to obtain eternal life (second comforter). Paul also makes the connection between the Holy Ghost and becoming children of God:
Romans 8:14 (NATB)
14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.Children of Christ
King Benjamin teaches it more clearly. We become the children of Christ when we enter the covenant and are reborn. He adopts us as His own when our hearts change through the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost.
Mosiah 5:7
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.Peacemakers
So, if it is the peacemakers who become the children of God, who are the peacemakers? Could it be that there is more to this idea than just someone who tries to avoid conflict and help others to get along? Consider this verse in James 3, with some alternate word translations added for deeper meaning:
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable [peace-loving], gentle, and easy to be entreated [willing to yield], full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality [unwavering], and without hypocrisy [pretense].These verses have so many interesting connections to the Doctrine of Christ! It is God’s wisdom that we are first purified before we receive the Holy Ghost. This purification begins by the repentance process and continues with the baptism of fire that precedes the first comforter. “Gentle and easy to be entreated” seems to be another way to say a broken heart and contrite spirit. “Full of mercy” speaks to the first comforter. “Unwavering” and “without pretense” could be referring to real intent, or to enduring to the end. The last verse leads to the question: What is the fruit of righteousness?
Fruit of Righteousness
What are the good fruits, or the fruit of righteousness? In James 3:17 (above), “good fruits” connects with mercy, and James speaks of it as something sown, or planted, for those that make peace.
Consider these scriptures from the Bible that follow this analogy to its conclusion:
Hosea 10:12
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.Jeremiah 4:3
3 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.Matthew 13:7,22
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up and choked them.…
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Galations 6:8
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.Just like Alma’s sermon about faith, and Lehi’s vision, we see that the fruit we are seeking is the fruit of the tree of life, the promise of eternal life, or the second comforter. We see the fruit “sown in peace, for those who make peace.” This shows the progression: receiving the first comforter, a period of growth, and then the second comforter. You could even say the process starts with faith.
Peaceable Fruit
Paul also uses this analogy to teach the Doctrine of Christ in Hebrews 12:
Hebrews 12:11-14
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
This scripture also references the straight path, and how to endure to the end. “Follow peace with all men” seems to be a reference to the endowment of charity that we will need in order to “see the Lord,” or receive our Second Comforter.
So perhaps the peacemakers are those who seek after the Holy Ghost, and after receiving it, actively use the accompanying gifts: revelation, charity, and so on. They make peace in their life by planting the seed and nourishing it.
God’s Peace
In the following scripture in the book of John, the Savior teaches his disciples about the First Comforter. It is interesting that in the very next verse He is teaching about peace, and that His peace is different than the peace of the world.
John 14:26-27
26 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.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.
Two chapters later, He is teaching this again. We can have peace through Him, but still will suffer tribulations. Clearly the peace He is speaking of is not simply worldly peace.
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.The story of the people of Ammon also teaches this idea. They buried their weapons of war for peace. Shortly after this, many of them were brutally slaughtered. What kind of peace were they seeking after their conversion?
Alma 24:19
19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.Establishing Peace
Many prophets speak of establishing peace among their people. In this verse, Nephi is quoting a prophecy made by Joseph of Egypt. What kind of peace is he talking about here?
2 Nephi 3:12
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.Nephi sees these false doctrines confounded in the latter days. He also witnesses the knowledge of the covenant being restored and peace being established once more among his descendants.
King Benjamin also sought for peace among his people. How did he accomplish this? By the preaching of the word of God with power and authority.
Words of Mormon 1:17
17 For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people—18 Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
While you can argue that bringing a people into the covenant might also lead to worldly peace, clearly it is spiritual peace that is emphasized here.
Publishers of Peace
This scripture in Isaiah mentions another group of people- those who publish peace. We can similar scriptures taught by Abinadi, Nephi and in the D&C.
Isaiah 52:7
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!Interestingly, those who publish peace also publish salvation. And in this verse in section 112, they are also publishing the name of the Lord.
D&C 112:6
6 Let thy habitation be known in Zion, and remove not thy house; for I, the Lord, have a great work for thee to do, in publishing my name among the children of men.If peace links to receiving the First Comforter, and salvation links to the Second Comforter, it seems clear that these publishers of peace and salvation are simply teaching the Doctrine of Christ. In other words, publishing His name.
Notice also that all the scriptures that mention publishing peace also mention Zion. The goal of publishing peace, or teaching the doctrine of Christ, is to once again build Zion! Nephi teaches this clearly here:
1 Nephi 13:37
37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.It is also interesting that we call Melchizedek, who did establish Zion, the Prince of Peace.
Zion- A Land of Peace & Unity
In the last days, Zion is a land of peace.
D&C 45:66
66 And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;While this could mean peace from the tribulations of the world, it could also mean a group of people who have received the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost. In looking for other links we find in Paul’s teachings three examples linking peace and unity.
2 Corinthians 13:11
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.Ephesians 2:14-19
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.The NASB translation calls this “the perfect bond of unity.” What a beautiful definition of the endowment of charity we receive with the first comforter! D&C 88:25 calls it the bond of perfectness and peace.
The Founder of Peace
Paul calls the Savior, the Lord of peace. In this simple scripture he talks about both comforters:
2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.First, he gives us the Holy Ghost, then we can be in His presence.
Abinadi calls Him the founder of peace, in this verse that also teaches about both comforters:
Mosiah 15:18
18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people.And this from Paul:
Ephesians 6:15
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.So, the Lord of Peace, the founder of peace, teaches us the gospel of peace, or His doctrine. How perfect.
