President Henry B. Eyring offered a “simple” message to the women of the Church during the General Women’s Session on Saturday, March 25.
President Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, discussed how to find peace “within ourselves, in our families, and with the people around us.”
The same peace the Lord promised to His disciples during His mortal ministry is available to His disciples today, President Eyring said, but in His way, not the world’s.
“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.
“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” (John 14:26-27).
At times, individuals may long for peace as they face uncertainty or looming challenges, President Eyring said. The lesson the Lord taught Moroni can be “a guide for us all.”
“If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all [who] humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).
Just as Moroni “heard these words,” and “was comforted” (Ether 12:29), “they can be a comfort to all of us,” President Eyring said.
Those who do not see their weaknesses do not progress, he explained. “Your awareness of your weakness is a blessing as it helps you remain humble and keeps you turning to the Savior. The Spirit not only comforts you, but He is also the agent by which the Atonement works a change in your very nature. Then weak things become strong.”
All disciples of Christ will have their faith challenged. “Your defense against these attacks is to keep the Holy Ghost as your companion. The Spirit will speak peace to your soul. He will urge you forward in faith. He will bring back the memory of those times when you felt the light and the love of Jesus Christ,” President Eyring promised.
One of the most precious gifts the Spirit can give is to “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever [the Lord has] said unto you” (John 14:26). “The memory may be of an answered prayer, of a priesthood ordinance received, of a confirmation of your testimony, or of a moment when you saw God’s hand in your life,” he said.
Father in Heaven is concerned not only about His children’s comfort but even more about their upward progress, President Eyring said and quoted Doctrine and Covenants 11:12: “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good.”
“Most often, the good He will lead you to do will involve helping someone else receive comfort from God,” President Eyring explained.
The Lord, in His wisdom, brought individuals together in organizations and classes in His Church to increase their power to do good, he said. A young woman, for example, might be asked by her bishop or Young Women leader to reach out to a Laurel who has not been participating.
Success in such an effort, he continued, will take a miracle of change of heart which requires the companionship of the Holy Ghost. “The Spirit can allow you to see the less-active Laurel as the Lord sees her. The Lord knows her heart and your heart, and He knows the possibilities of hearts being changed. He can visit you both with His Spirit to inspire humility, forgiveness, and love.”
President Eyring told listeners that their power to do good would depend on the unity and love that exists among them. “This is another gift of peace that comes through the Holy Ghost.”
Although unity is necessary, “you know from experience, as I do, that such loving unity is hard to maintain,” he said. “It takes having the Holy Ghost as a companion to open our eyes and temper our feelings.”
President Eyring recalled an experience when the Spirit prompted him to exercise patience with his young son. “The unity we seek in our families and in the Church will come as we allow the Holy Ghost to affect what we see when we look at one another — and even when we think of each other.”
The Spirit sees with the pure love of Christ, President Eyring explained before reading Moroni’s description of charity and his exhortation to “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons [and daughters] of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:45–48).
“This is the goal your Father in Heaven has for you, His precious daughters …,” President Eyring declared. “He visits you with His Spirit to comfort you, encourage you, and inspire you to keep going.”
