Finding Peace in Troubled Times By Marcus Southworth 

I remember some 20 years ago, a church sponsored campout with my sons. There was the usual excitement of boys running through the camp, playing with the fire, and fathers sitting around talking about the world as they see it. 

 It was a warm spring afternoon in the Arizona desert, and throughout the day, I had been watching from the corner of my eye, young men coming in and out of one specific tent. At the time, I had six children (four boys). The tent that I had been watching belonged to a man with 11 children. I marveled at this man’s calm and gentle demeanor as he interacted with his sons throughout the day. My astonishment was due to the apparent anxiety that I and a number of other fathers were sharing about our pressing economic circumstances. We all had large houses, large mortgages, families and business responsibilities, yet this man, unruffled and unbothered, was lying in his tent, barefooted, reading, and visiting as if a Huckleberry Finn on the shore of the Mississippi. 

 At dinner time, he emerged from his tent with his boys to indulge in the evening meal with the rest of us around the campfire. Other than his family, he stayed pretty much to himself. I watched a bit and afterwards his boys left to run around with friends. Seeing an opportunity, I walked over to his tent hoping to learn more about him. 

We visited and I found that he too had many of the same challenges that I faced, however, with a family of 11, his load appeared to be at least twice mine. As we talked, I could discern very little anxiety in his conversation, his countenance or his demeanor. I wondered how I would feel if I were in his shoes. His wife was expecting..again, their twelfth! He had a boy on a mission, and his business struggled along just like mine. I could not understand how he could be so calm. This was in the late 1980’s in Arizona, property values were dropping, people were losing money on investments, and businesses were failing everywhere. Everyone was stressed…except him or so it seemed. 

 I probed deeper. I asked him why he did not seem worried about his circumstances. He responded simply, “worrying doesn’t seem to solve anything.” Unsatisfied, I continued, “What does solve things?” He smiled at me with a little impatience at my determination. He was a quiet man of very few words. I really wanted to know. It took some doing but he finally gave me a few words, “I keep the commandments, do my best and the Lord seems to take care of the rest”. 

 Since that time I have thought a lot about what he said. I have wondered, “well, isn’t that what all of us Church goers try to do and expect?” Yet, I have anxiety… and he does not. It seems that I am missing something here! 

Years have passed, I continue to reflect on the example of this one man and feel that I have come to learn and experience a little more about finding peace in troubled times. Now, after more than a half of a century of personal life experience, I believe that I have suffered at least my fair share of trouble. I have also found an improved sense of well-being during times of great uncertainty. I am so grateful for that. 

My burdens seem to have gotten much heavier over the years; nevertheless, my ability to carry those burdens has significantly improved. Perhaps, as the Great Plan of Happiness suggests, God desires for us to become more like him. And, perhaps, there is divine purpose in the process. Trials, challenges and turmoil seem to shape our souls and characters so as to become more like him. 

      "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the             development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."

        (Orson F. Whitney, in Dennis D. Flake, "Orson F. Whitney's Philosophy of Education," p. 96) 

I have found several essential ideas that contribute to my personal enjoyment of peace during troubled times: 

Make Peace a priority in your life: 

 I have always had an appetite for peace. I don’t like arguments, controversy or drama. I avoid irreverent music, boisterous company and immoderate practices. I seek quiet time, especially in times that are troubled. But I have learned that peace is more than just this. Of course, we have all felt the absence of peace when we do something wrong. There is a definite absence of peace until we are able to follow certain steps of repentance that seem to relieve us of that burden and bring us back to God. Christ said; 

      “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30 

I think that his invitation to “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” means that after all that we can do to find peace in our lives; we will still come short without taking upon us his name. 

We take upon us his name by being baptized in his Church. Baptism means that we covenant that we will keep his commandments, which is like ‘taking his yoke upon us” and to always remember him. We remember him by repenting and calling upon the Father in his name to forgive us or our sins. The result of this pattern and practice is: 

“Peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.” 

D&C 59:23 

Make God an anchor in your life: 

However, sometimes we cannot avoid trouble. Sometimes, there are events over which we have no control. I find that in circumstances like this, I feel stressed and troubled most of all. We may have lost a job, experience the loss of someone close or suffered some injustice at the hand of ignorance or even a tyrant. Sometimes, we can feel powerless, like victims of our circumstances. How do we live in peace under this kind of scenario? 

My mother was 14 years old and lived in a small town with her family on the border between Russia and Germany. Hitler's leaders isolated the children from parents by sending them to government mandated training programs away from their families. She was assigned to study floristry in a large city some 60 miles from her home. 

At first, she was so excited, no more parents telling her what to do. Shortly after arriving at her workplace, rumors flooded in that the Russians had invaded Germany and many people were forced out of their homes. Among them, were her mother and siblings. Her father was taken to Siberia and never returned. She was so distraught at the news and had no idea where her mother, father and 4 little brothers were.  She felt truly lost and alone. 

 A few months later, one of the bloodiest battles in WWII was fought in Danzig (now known as Gdansk, Poland) where she was living. The Russians prevailed and their leaders awarded the conquering soldiers free reign. They murdered, raped and pillaged throughout the smoldering city. My mother although just a young girl, witnessed this terrible scene. She says that the things that followed were much worse than the bombs, the bullets or the battle. 

She fled, finding a small crevice among the bombed out ruins where she hid, alone, frightened, and with nothing to eat. Up until this time, she had given very little thought about God. She knew very little about him. But in this moment of desperation, she cried out to him with all her heart. She was not disappointed. A still small voice came, assuring her that she had nothing to fear, that she would be ok. She describes the feeling of peace that she felt at that moment. Some 65 years later, she can hardly recount the experience without tears, as she recalls the sublime sweetness and peace that calmed her in spite of the awful circumstances. It was a life changing event for her. 

 From that time forward, she knew that there was a God and consulted him often for direction and protection. She did escape from Danzig and spent years looking all over Germany for her family. She finally found them; starving, destitute infested with fleas, lice and diseased with typhus. She helped them get on their feet little by little. 

She was baptized in the LDS Church and immigrated to America. She served a full time mission in her homeland, Germany. She married in the Temple and bore and raised 7 children. She has served her God ever since. 

She taught me as a young boy a lot about the peace that she discovered in the midst of great turmoil. Her example and teachings have conditioned me so that I am a little more prepared to meet the challenges of a troubled world. 

Live consistent with what you know to be right 

The scriptures teach; 

  “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.” 

D&C 59:23 

I put this scripture to memory in my youth as a reminder that when I am doing what I know to be right and pleasing in the site of God, I am most peaceful and happy. Successful life patterns and many important promises that God has made to his followers are found in the scriptures. I can find peace merely by finding these promises and living in a way that are deserving of them, for example; 

  a. Financial Blessings: One of the things that have troubled me most over the years is my concern over personal or family finances. It has taken some effort and diligent practice to find peace in this troubled world.  I am indebted to the scriptures for helping me to understand the underlying mechanics. The Lord’s words to Moses had meaning then and I find direct application for me now; 

  “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them: Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit…ye will eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give you peace in the land, and ye shall lie down and none shall make you afraid; Then he warns: But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; …I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as brass. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits… 

        I have provided but a few of the promises and warnings. For the entire body of scripture it is found     in Leviticus 26:3-46. 

 I have also learned in my own personal way how my payment of tithes and offerings bless me and my family: 

      “…Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts. If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes…” 

        Malachi 38-12 

Other blessings of peace are available to us by merely understanding the laws that govern them. 

       “There is a law irrevocably decreed in the heavens before the foundation of this world, upon which     all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."  

        D&C 131:20-21 

 Finding peace in a troubled world is often as simple as just understanding and practicing the principles upon which blessings operate. Could it be that God in his great wisdom allows us the freedom to choose good or evil? By suffering or enjoying the consequences of our own actions we are able to see for ourselves and learn. 

 Alma counseled his wayward son with this warning: 

      “And now my son…behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was never happiness.” 

        Alma 41:10

Somehow, peace and happiness are synonymous with one another when placed in the context of doing right or wrong. I like that feeling of peace that is associated with doing good. I used to teach my children; “When I obey, I will be happy all day.” Simple and cute but soooo true!! We all know that! 

There is another point here that is important to understand. I find it referenced in the great revelation revealed to Joseph Smith while in the Liberty Jail; D&C 121:33-46. After teaching Joseph the principles that govern the rights and blessings of the Priesthood, he says that after adhering to all of these principles, “…then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of the God…” Somehow, when doing what is right, our confidence in the presence of God improves and we become more comfortable and confident calling upon him for his help. 

Expect a miracle: 

 In 1988, I was working on a very complicated transaction overseas. Many businessmen and very expensive attorneys were involved. Because of the multi-national nature of the deal, London was chosen as an agreeable place to document the transaction. I and the other parties had been in London for several weeks negotiating the terms of this very complex transaction. 

 Prior to that, I had spent nearly a year traveling between Europe, South America and USA working on this transaction. I had no income during that period. I was anxious to finally see the fruits of my labors. It had been a costly and time consuming endeavor. I spent long periods away from home.  In the process, I had completely exhausted my personal financial resources. I was so glad that we were almost finished.  I expected that that all of the sacrifices that I had made would finally pay off.  

However, as documentation was finally nearing completion, objections arose regarding a single word that was used in one of the documents. Arguments ensued, the problem extended from a word to a paragraph and then spread to include objections over an entire document. Parties entrenched and finally conceded that the issue was not resolvable. After so many weeks and many hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, the transaction had failed and everyone made plans to return home. 

I was devastated. Returning home meant facing a financial disaster for me and my family. I could not let that happen.  I felt that I needed to call on heaven for a miracle. 

I walked into the London office of the purchaser to determine what, if any, traction I could get by trying to bridge the parties. After visiting with the principals, they insisted that truly, the transaction was dead and the issues were convincingly irresolvable. After this poignant discussion, I had quietly and to myself decided that I would ask God for his help. Make no mistake, I had been asking all along. However, this was different my circumstances were now dark, hopeless and desperate.  I needed to ask for a miracle. 

Leaving the office, which was a regional office for the purchaser, a Fortune 500 company, I bumped into one of the financial analysts that I had been working with. His name was Ari and he was an orthodox Jew. His Jewish disposition was apparent to me by the skull cap which he wore. Everyone knew that Friday afternoons, he had to leave early in order to keep his Sabbath observance. I admired him for that and felt that we shared a common bond. In this moment of desperation, I paused as I came to his desk and said, “Ari, do you believe that there is a God?” He said, “Yes, I do.” I then asked, do you believe that Moses through the power of God parted the Red Sea?” He smiled, not sensing my rationale for the question and responded, “What do you think?” I said, “I believe that the Israelites were surrounded, the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind. Moses, in this moment of desperation, called upon God  and in answer to his fervent plea, the Red Sea parted and the children of Israel walked through to the other side on dry ground.” He said, “I believe that too!” 

I then asked him, “Ari, do you believe that the chances of reviving this transaction are the same as ‘parting the Red Sea’. He smiled, and said “from what I know and see, the chances are probably the same.” I then asked, “Do you think God would part the Red Sea for me?” He responded much more thoughtfully, “I really don’t know.” I said to him,”Ari, by tomorrow at this same time, both you and I are going to know the answer to that question.” 

I left the office and returned to my hotel and interestingly, never saw or spoke to Ari again. Yet I know, that both he and I came to know the answer to that question for I fasted and fervently prayed through the night. In the morning, I recall my final words to my Heavenly Father. “It is now 6am and I am leaving my hotel room, not knowing beforehand where I should go or what I should do. Please be with me and show me the way.” As I walked down the street towards the subway, an idea came to my mind. Although very early in the morning, I called another party to the transaction asking for permission to breach protocol and call on the President of one of the Lloyds of London Syndicate companies. In my eyes, this is where the rift had originated. The man on the phone chided me for my insanity, and said that I could do whatever I wanted at this point. He reiterated, that “the deal was dead and there was nothing I could do about it.” When I arrived at the high rise building which is where Arthur Manning, President of Pan Financial officed, I saw a cart of pungent and beautiful flowers. I purchased three dozen roses, not really sure why.  I took them with me up the elevator. His office was in the penthouse overlooking the Thames River. Albeit early, around 7:30am, there was a secretary that greeted me. I asked for Mr. Manning. She saw my flowers, smiled and said, “Just a moment.” Mr. Manning came out with a refreshing smile.  I suppose he was entertained and endeared by the three dozen flowers which I carried in my arms. He was an austere man with a well trimmed beard and a very proper English demeanor. We stepped onto the balcony outside his office over-looking London and the river. 

 I wanted so much to beg and plead with him to change his mind. Yet, I was surprised at the words that actually fell from my lips. “Arthur, it has been a pleasure doing business with you. I thought that you could take these roses home to your wife as an indication of my pleasure and gratitude for working with you.” He responded graciously.  In conclusion, he said that he had to run to his next meeting and invited me to walk with him to the train station. I accompanied him and we continued our visit which had nothing to do with business. We talked about our families and how taxing this transaction had been on all of us. As we parted ways, he clasped my hand with a parting handshake and said, “Marcus, if the other party would accept this change; (he then explained the simple change in contractual wording) then I would willing to reconsider my position.” 

 With those parting words, I waited until he was out of sight. I then jumped into the air with delight, ran as fast as I could in my suit and tie to catch the subway back to my client’s office, anxious to tell them the news. 

 Finding them in their office, packing their things and having their return tickets to the USA on their desk, I discussed Mr. Manning’s proposal with them. They did not at first believe me. They thought that I was playing some awful joke. Finally, perceiving my sincerity they agreed that the proposed language could work. Because of the time difference, we waited a few hours for morning San Francisco time, to discuss the matter with the company’s General Counsel. 

 It took nearly two more weeks, but when finished, the transaction was successful and all parties were satisfied. I went home knowing that I had asked for and been a part of… a great miracle.

Be grateful 

I have continued to receive many of these kinds of blessings throughout my life. Nevertheless, my world continues to be awash with turmoil and tribulation. Throughout all of this, I have come to feel and recognize, a calm assurance that Heavenly Father loves me and is willing to bless and protect me. 

In times like these, I reflect on his blessings and find comfort in knowing that he is near. I found much sweetness and peace in my life, similar to that which my mother had experienced in the midst of a war torn Germany. I too know for myself that he is there. I have reached out to him on many occasions and he has responded. I have come to believe his words: 

      “…this commandment I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near. Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;” 

D&C 88:62-64 

One of the great and wonderful experiences of my life is to ponder upon the many wonderful blessings that Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me. Sometimes, while in this frame of mind, tears of joy well up along with a deep sense of gratitude which resonates through my soul. It is at these times, while alone, in a state of quiet meditation and personal prayer, that I will sing a favorite hymn of praise as an expression of my feelings of gratitude; “I know that my Redeemer Lives” is a favorite. 

 The words of these and other hymns mean so much more to me at times like this. When in this state of mind, I can feel God smile upon me. I think it is because he knows that I have tasted the fruit. He delights in my discovery and enjoyment. He wants all of his children to have these same experiences. I am convinced of his words, that he” is no respecter of persons.” My mother, as young girl, was really no one of any consequence, yet he blessed her and she tasted of his goodness. I marvel too that he knows me and listens to my prayers and earnest appeal. 

There is a law of gratitude that is somehow a part of the Great and Grand Plan of Happiness that God has instituted for us. Once again, referring to his word in scripture: 

      "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments.” 

D&C 59:21 

We show our gratitude to God by keeping his commandments and by doing the works that he would do. This is all part of becoming God like. As his children and like any father, he delights in our progress to become more like him. 

After praying and doing all that we can do, accept the outcome as God’s will 

This is perhaps the most important point of all. I think that coming to accept the outcome that follows our diligent faith, efforts and sincere prayer as God’s will, is convincing evidence that we really believe him and trust Him. To me if life were the test, our ability to apply this principle would be the crowning evidence that we had passed our most difficult challenges. 

 I like the story that Elder Hugh B. Brown (a departed member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles) tells of his garden in Alberta, Canada. He starts his story by saying that sometimes, while working alone on his ranch in Canada; he would speak to inanimate objects. 

 One day, surprisingly, one of them spoke back. He said, that he was pruning away at a current bush that had grown to great size. As the gardener, he decided that in order to get any fruit from the bush, he would have to prune it. So he took out his pruning shears and began to cut down the bush. 

 As he was cutting, he noticed what looked to be tears welling up on the cut branches and he asked, “Why are you crying Mr. Current Bush.” The bush responded, I had grown to such a grand stature in the garden. I was as tall as many of the great trees here. Then you came along and cut me down. Now, all in the garden will look upon with contempt and pity. 

 Elder Brown responded, “Now Mr. Current Bush, I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to be. If I let you go the way you were going you wouldn’t have amounted to anything. Your branches would have gone to wood and you would have had no fruit at all. But now that I have cut you down, the time will soon come when your branches will be laden with fruit and all in the garden will look upon you and see and admire what you have become.” 

      “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

Isaiah 55:8-9 

Putting our trust in him means that we accept him as omniscient (all knowing), and omnipotent (all powerful). We accept that he is our Heavenly Father and that he loves us. He has prepared a great plan whereby we may become more like him. Even Christ the greatest of all subordinated his will to God when, while kneeling in the Garden where he took upon himself the burden of sin for all mankind,

”...he fell on his face and prayed saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.“ 

Matt. 26:39 

Even Christ was willing to accept God’s will over his own, even though he too was perfect, yet he trusted him and in the great plan of happiness which was instituted from the foundation of the world. So must we, “trust in him and strive his will to do.” Hymn #194: “There is a Green Hill Far Away.” 

Peace comes to us in troubled times when in spite of all of our experience that we put our trust in the Lord and accept the outcome as his will. To me this is an important step in our spiritual growth and maturity. Ultimately, we will become more like our Father in Heaven. What a wonderful plan and what a wonderful life. May God bless us all in that worthy pursuit to find peace in a troubled world!!