How important is it to publish peace? Christ was known as The Prince of Peace. We are to become like him and follow his example. Before I stress the importance of publishing peace, I would like to show that we are going to be publishing something every day whether we plan on it or not. While the Savior was on the earth he declared that, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”[i] As member’s of Christ’s Church, others see what we do and depending on how we act, they may or may not want to come to know Christ. We need to live in such a way that people who know us will want to know Christ because they see how we live our lives.
I will now relate a story from the scriptures that is a prime example of the effect one person can have on many others. When Abinadi died he had not seen the fruits of his labors. Perhaps, we may think that when we have made an effort of which we do not see the immediate results that they were for naught. Nevertheless, somewhere down the road they will take effect. Because he made the word of God known, “[Alma] believed the words which Abinadi had spoken (or published).”[ii] This had a huge effect and led to a long line of prophets who also proclaimed the gospel.
One of them was Alma the younger who proclaimed the gospel to many after experiencing a change of heart which had great effects. “And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.”[iii] We can never fully comprehend the effects of our actions and our words. Therefore, let them be good and not evil.
Just as we can do great things and bring to pass much righteousness by publishing peace, we can be equally or even more destructive if we publish contention and rebellion against the Lord. Prior to Alma experiencing a change of heart he went about seeking to destroy and undermine the Church of God—persecuting believers and leading their hearts away. We do not want to rebel against God for our own sake and for the sake of those we may influence. “But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.”[iv] Therefore, let us live righteously and proclaim righteousness all our days. The effects stretch far and wide for better or for worse. The Lord is counting on us to be instruments in his hands to publish his gospel.
The literal word “publish” in Hebrew is “aqra” which is translated “I-am-proclaiming.” We need to take this active role in publishing the gospel—I am, not I will, or I have before. It is one of the greatest feelings of peace in the world when we are recognized for this. One time in high school, my seminary teacher told me that someone in his earlier class had told him that I was a good example to the [student]. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world when we know that we can make a difference in someone’s life for the better. I hope to be able to publish peace through my actions and my words for the rest of my life. How great a reunion it would be if the Lord could say to us what he said to Alma and the sons of Mosiah, “And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.”[v] I have a testimony that as we do this, our lives will go better and that the Lord will be pleased with us. I have felt the happiness that comes from doing so in action and in proclaiming the gospel to others as well. As we always do this it will lead to eternal happiness with our Father in heaven. I bear testimony of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
9 comments:
Really great blog! I loved the picture of the missionaries, because they are the ones that publish peace. Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony about publishing peace. Wonderful:)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about publishing peace. They were really insightful. I also liked the picture of the missionaries. "A picture is worth a thousand words." Just fyi, I don't know if you did it intentionally or not, but the switching between double and single spacing was a bit distracting. Thanks again!
Great language insight! Thanks for your blog--
I really like that you said that we represent Christ and we have to act accordingly so that others will want to come to the church.
I love this topic. Great blog. uplifting man. Terrific job
What you said about not just 19 year olds being missionaries is such a great statement. 4 year olds, and 96 year olds alike can both be great missionaries. Thanks for you thoughts and for the example you set.
I really like your blog, it made me really think about the example I am setting for others and how it always needs to be a righteous example because you never know who is watching and who you can help.
I love the picture. I like what you said that just as we can publish peace, contention can also be published. We need to choose rightly. Thank you
your opening paragraph was amazing. Even the most seemingly insignificant of our actions sends a signal to others about who we are and what we stand for. Perhaps, then, we shouldn't send mixed signals.
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