Elder Quentin L. Cook (b. September 8, 1940) was called as a Seventy in 1996, then as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2007.
"Remember, 'God is not the author of confusion, but [the author] of peace' (1 Corinthians 14:33). For those who reject God, there is no peace. We all participated in the councils of heaven that provided for moral agency, knowing that there would be mortal pain and even unspeakable tragedy because of the abuse of agency. We understood that this could leave us angry, bewildered, defenseless, and vulnerable. But we also knew that the Savior’s Atonement would overcome and compensate for all of the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace. Elder Marion D. Hanks had a framed statement on his wall by Ugo Betti: 'To believe in God is to know that all the rules will be fair, and that there will be wonderful surprises.' (Ensign, Nov. 1992, 63.)
"What are the sources of peace? Many search for peace in worldly ways, which never have and never will succeed. Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure. None of these can, even when attained in abundance, create any lasting happiness or peace.
"Emma Lou Thayne’s beloved hymn asks the appropriate questions: 'Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole?' (Hymns, no. 129.) The answer is the Savior, who is the source and author of peace. He is the 'Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6)."
- Quentin L. Cook, "Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness," General Conference, April 2013
Click here to read or listen to the full talk
Elder Cook reminds us of what we know about our premortal existence: we understood what we were getting into in this mortal experience, and knew the challenges it would present. But more important, we knew there was help and strength available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, not just to enable us to repent of our sins and shortcomings, but to "overcome and compensate for all of the unfairness of mortal life " That's a profound blessing and wonderful resource for us!
So much sadness and suffering occurs because of "the abuse of agency" during this time. We can't find peace through "worldly ways" with all its lures and distractions. There is only one source, by returning to that sacred gift of Jesus Christ:
The source and author, and the Prince of Peace are available to us. We must choose to invite Him into our lives; we must turn to Him when other sources fail. How blessed we are to have this understanding!
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)
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