Where Can I Turn for Peace

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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

Special Fireside for all members 50+

The Utah Area Presidency has invited all members of the church aged 50 and older to attend a special broadcast on Sunday, March 19 from 6 PM to 7 PM.   The broadcast will be viewed at the Stake Center (1350 West 4800 South).   More details

Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday April 8, 2023 

On Saturday, April 8, the Community Connections Committee will host our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt.  This is a fun way to share time with neighbors, friends and loved ones.  We are collecting candy and eggs in preparation for this fun event.  Please bring donations to Sita Jasper’s home.  Please call 801-599-8233

Weekly Message: Where Can I Turn for Peace

This year we are inviting all to look for ways we can place Christ at the center of our lives.  Each week as we prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament, we remember His “great and last” atoning sacrifice for our sins.  We also make a renewed vow to always remember him.  

We live in a fallen world among imperfect humans in the days of preparation for the second coming. (Luke 21:26, Isaiah 5:30)  The Savior, Himself, warned that these are “perilous times”.  In the 24-hour news cycle we hear “wars and rumors of wars”. (Matthew 24:6-9)  There are plenty of things that can keep us anxious and confused.  Add to this, the list of things that go “wrong”, that break our hearts, or bring sorrow.  

No wonder the scriptures ALSO teach of the Savior’s ability and power to heal spiritual and emotional wounds and even bring joy to replace our sorrows... if we “come unto” Him. (Matthew 11:28-30, Enos 1:17, Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:11) 

The third verse of one of my favorite hymns, Where Can I Turn for Peace  Spanish expresses this idea beautifully…

• He answers privately,
  Reaches my reaching
  In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
  Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
  Constant he is and kind,
  Love without end. (Emma Lou Thayne, Joleen G. Meredith)I

Elder John A. McCune made this insightful comment in April 2020…

“Nephi knew that if he continued to stay focused on the Lord, he would be successful in fulfilling what the Lord commanded him. He remained focused on the Savior throughout his life even though he suffered temptations, physical trials, and even the betrayal of some in his immediate family.

Nephi knew in whom He could trust. Shortly after exclaiming, “O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh,” Nephi stated, “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.”

As followers of Christ, we are not spared challenges and trials in our lives. We are often required to do difficult things that, if attempted alone, would be overwhelming and maybe impossible. As we accept the Savior’s invitation to “come unto me,” He will provide the support, comfort, and peace that are necessary, just as He did for Nephi and Joseph. Even in our deepest trials, we can feel the warm embrace of His love as we trust Him and accept His will. We can experience the joy reserved for His faithful disciples, for “Christ is joy.”

And President Nelson made this comforting pronouncement in October 2016…

“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation...and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmas time when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”​​​​ And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!

How do you access Christ’s healing power in YOUR life?

Recently, I asked a young missionary this question and was grateful for his response.

“Anything I do to turn my focus to Him, instantly brings peace; reading scriptures about Him, praying and asking for His strength, even just talking about Him.  He radiates peace!

…sage advice from one so young…

May we trust and rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ daily, to not only forgive our sins, but also to receive His healing and soothing power.  May we “come unto Him” and find joy!

I love you all,

President Gardner