Study Guide for "Personal Peace in Challenging Times"

In this talk, Elder Quentin L. Cook discusses the importance of personal peace, especially in challenging times. He draws upon historical events, scriptures, and teachings from Church leaders to illustrate how personal peace can be achieved despite the turmoil in the world. He highlights five key principles that can help members find peace in their lives.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What historical event does Elder Cook use to illustrate the concept of personal peace?
What are the five principles Elder Cook highlights for finding personal peace?
How does Elder Cook describe the relationship between peace and agency?
What role does the Savior play in achieving personal peace according to Elder Cook?

Topics

Understanding the Importance of Personal Peace

Elder Cook emphasizes the significance of personal peace, especially in challenging times. He uses the example of Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail to illustrate that adversity is not a sign of God's disfavor but an opportunity for growth and refinement.

Joseph’s time in Liberty Jail demonstrates that adversity is not evidence of the Lord’s disfavor nor a withdrawal of His blessings.

It is clear that opposition can refine us for an eternal, celestial destiny.

How does Elder Cook describe the relationship between adversity and personal peace?
What does Elder Cook suggest about the role of adversity in our spiritual growth?
How can you find peace amid the adversities you are currently facing?
Can you recall a time when adversity led to personal growth and increased peace in your life?

Loving God, Living His Commandments, and Forgiving Everyone

Elder Cook highlights the importance of loving God, living His commandments, and forgiving everyone as a key to finding personal peace. He cites the teachings of President George Albert Smith to emphasize this principle.

That is the spirit all Latter-day Saints should seek to possess if they hope some day to stand in his presence and receive at his hands a glorious welcome home.

Why does Elder Cook believe that love, obedience, and forgiveness are crucial to personal peace?
How does Elder Cook connect these principles to the teachings of President George Albert Smith?
How can you better demonstrate love for God and obedience to His commandments?
Who might you need to forgive to increase your personal peace?

Seeking the Fruits of the Spirit

Elder Cook discusses the importance of seeking the fruits of the Spirit, as outlined by the Apostle Paul, in order to find peace. He emphasizes the need for compromise and peaceable living, while remaining firm in matters of righteousness.

To have peaceful relationships, the lesson is clear: we should be willing to compromise and eliminate strife with respect to matters that do not involve righteousness.

If we want to have the peace which is the reward of the works of righteousness, we will not pitch our tents toward the world. We will pitch our tents toward the temple.

How does Elder Cook interpret Paul's teachings about the fruits of the Spirit?
What does Elder Cook suggest about the relationship between peace and righteousness?
What fruits of the Spirit do you feel you need to cultivate more in your life?
How can you better align your life with righteousness to find greater peace?

Exercising Agency to Choose Righteousness

Elder Cook explores the connection between peace and agency, emphasizing that choosing righteousness can lead to personal peace. He references the premortal Council in Heaven and the role of the Savior's Atonement in helping us endure trials and find peace.

Peace and agency are intertwined as essential elements of the plan of salvation.

As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

How does Elder Cook describe the connection between peace and agency?
What role does the Atonement of Jesus Christ play in finding personal peace, according to Elder Cook?
How can you better exercise your agency to choose righteousness?
How has relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ brought peace into your life?

Building Zion in Our Hearts and Homes

Elder Cook discusses the importance of building Zion in our hearts and homes as a means to achieve personal peace. He emphasizes the role of love, kindness, and family in creating a peaceful environment.

I assure you that the joy, love, and fulfillment experienced in loving, righteous families produce both peace and happiness. Love and kindness are at the center of having Zion in our hearts and homes.

What does Elder Cook suggest about the relationship between families and personal peace?
How does Elder Cook define "Zion" in the context of our hearts and homes?
What steps can you take to build Zion in your own heart and home?
How has cultivating love and kindness in your family relationships contributed to your personal peace?

Following the Current Admonitions of Our Prophet

Elder Cook concludes by emphasizing the peace that comes from following the teachings and counsel of the living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. He testifies of the revelation received by President Nelson and the peace that comes from following his counsel.

Our peace is greatly enhanced when we follow the Lord’s prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.

I am a personal witness that revelation has been received and continues to be received from heaven by our beloved prophet.

What does Elder Cook say about the role of the living prophet in finding personal peace?
How does Elder Cook describe his personal witness of revelation received by President Nelson?
How has following the counsel of President Nelson brought peace into your life?
What recent teachings from President Nelson do you feel prompted to apply more fully in your life?