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Finding Peace in Our Lives
"While we yearn for peace, we live in a world burdened with hunger, pain, anguish, loneliness, sickness, and sorrow," writes Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But, he adds, "Despite dismal conditions in the world and the personal challenges that come into every life, peace within can be a reality." The chapters in Finding Peace in Our Lives, drawn from general conference addresses and other messages Elder Wirthlin has delivered to the Church, illustrate some of the things we must do to find peace with God, with our fellow beings, and within ourselves. "Peace is more than a lofty ideal," he explains. "It is a practical principle that, with conscious effort, can become a normal part of our lives as we deal with matters both large and small." In his epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul "Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace." In Finding Peace in Our Lives, Elder Wirthlin, a modern-day apostle, presents thirty timely messages to help us pursue that course.
- GenresReligionChurchNonfiction
250 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1995
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Joseph B. Wirthlin
5 books15 followersElder Joseph B. Wirthlin was ordained an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 9, 1986. He was sustained and set apart as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 4 April 1975 and served in that capacity until he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 1976. He was set apart in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy on August 28,1986, where he was serving when called to be an Apostle in October of 1986.
Elder Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His father served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Wirthlin graduated from the University of Utah in business administration. He is an Eagle Scout. He was active in athletics in high school and played football at the University of Utah.
Before his call as a General Authority, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.
Elder Wirthlin served a mission in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1930s. He served in stake and ward auxiliary positions, as a counselor in the Bonneville Ward bishopric for seven years, and as bishop of the same ward for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the Bonneville Stake high council and then served as a member of the stake presidency until he was called, on June 27, 1971, to be first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. He served there until April 1975, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve.
Elder Wirthlin served as General Authority area supervisor for the Europe Area from July 1975 to April 1978 and executive administrator for the Southeast Area of the United States and the Caribbean Islands from 1978–1982. He then served as the executive administrator for Brazil from 1 July 1982–1984. He was the managing director of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Relief Society, and the Military Relations Committee from 1978–1984.
From July 1984 to August 1986 Elder Wirthlin served as President of the Europe Area of the Church, directing Church affairs in Continental Europe, the British Isles, Ireland, and Africa. From August 1986 until his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, he served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, executive director of the Curriculum Department, and editor of Church magazines. He is presently serving as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, the General Welfare Services Committee, the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, the Leadership Training Committee, and First Contact of the Quorum of the Twelve for the Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Asia North, Pacific, and Philippines Areas.
He married Elisa Young Rogers on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children and forty-six grandchildren.
His last conference address is considered a classic by many. Titled "Come What May, and Love It," the address centered on reaction to adversity in life.
Elder Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His father served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.
Elder Wirthlin graduated from the University of Utah in business administration. He is an Eagle Scout. He was active in athletics in high school and played football at the University of Utah.
Before his call as a General Authority, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.
Elder Wirthlin served a mission in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in the late 1930s. He served in stake and ward auxiliary positions, as a counselor in the Bonneville Ward bishopric for seven years, and as bishop of the same ward for nearly 10 years. He was a member of the Bonneville Stake high council and then served as a member of the stake presidency until he was called, on June 27, 1971, to be first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. He served there until April 1975, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve.
Elder Wirthlin served as General Authority area supervisor for the Europe Area from July 1975 to April 1978 and executive administrator for the Southeast Area of the United States and the Caribbean Islands from 1978–1982. He then served as the executive administrator for Brazil from 1 July 1982–1984. He was the managing director of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, the Relief Society, and the Military Relations Committee from 1978–1984.
From July 1984 to August 1986 Elder Wirthlin served as President of the Europe Area of the Church, directing Church affairs in Continental Europe, the British Isles, Ireland, and Africa. From August 1986 until his call to the Quorum of the Twelve, he served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, executive director of the Curriculum Department, and editor of Church magazines. He is presently serving as a member of the Missionary Executive Council, the General Welfare Services Committee, the Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees, the Leadership Training Committee, and First Contact of the Quorum of the Twelve for the Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Asia North, Pacific, and Philippines Areas.
He married Elisa Young Rogers on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children and forty-six grandchildren.
His last conference address is considered a classic by many. Titled "Come What May, and Love It," the address centered on reaction to adversity in life.
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August 14, 2016
This is an inspiring book - a compilation of Elder Wirthlin's talks. It contains so many important truths and reminders for finding peace, through Jesus Christ and His gospel. I love Elder Wirthlin's gentle teachings. I was particularly grateful for the reminder of his talk
Without Guile
from 1988 - such a classic and key to peace. I came away from this book with the clearer picture in my mind of the importance of having a pure heart, seeking the Lord, and being true, patient, and good. I'm grateful for the uplift and reminders.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"'Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (Romans 14:19).'"
"'The peace of Christ does not come by seeking the superficial things of life, neither does it come except as it springs from the individual's heart...this peace is conditioned upon obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ....No man is at peace with himself or his God who is untrue to his better self, who transgresses the law of right either in dealing with himself by indulging in passion, in appetite, yielding to temptations against his accusing conscience, or in dealing with his fellowmen, being untrue to their trust. Peace does not come to the transgressor of law; peace comes by obedience to law, and it is that message which Jesus would have us proclaim among men (President David O. McKay, p. 5).'"
"Peace is more than a lofty ideal. It is a practical principle that, with conscious effort, can become a normal part of our lives as we deal with matters both large and small (p. 8)."
"Latter-day Saints are obligated to seek inner peace not only for the blessing it is to them but also so that they can radiate its influence to others (p. 9)."
"If sin has deprived us of peace within, we can repent and seek forgiveness (p. 9)."
"No one is immune to affliction and difficulty, whether it be economical, emotional, or spiritual. Immorality, violence, and divorce, with their accompanying sorrows, plague society worldwide. The only way to find peace, happiness, and security and to overcome the evils of the world and temptations of this generation is through the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 23)."
"To possess a knowledge of Christ, we must become as he is (p. 27)."
"Imagine for a moment the result if everyone were to love one another as Jesus loves his disciples. We would have no bickering, quarreling, strife, or contention in our homes. We would not offend or insult one another either verbally or in any other way (p. 28)."
"I tell [the story of Jesus overcoming the temptations of Satan] in great detail because of its significance in our lives. I believe that frequent pondering upon its message would decisively strengthen us and give us direction. It would alert us constantly to many of the pitfalls and temptations that are rife today, such as seeking instant gratification, indulging in excessive appetites, falling prey to vanity and pride, and striving for worldly wealth and power. These temptations, made glamorous, are some of the most prevalent evils known to mankind. Being aware of them and pondering the God-given resources that may be utilized to overcome and resist them comprise our safety and salvation....It was in solitude, pondering, and praying that Jesus made ready to battle Satan face to face and resist and overcome all of his enticements (p. 37)."
"A sure indicator of true religion is concern for the poor of the earth. This leads us to provide for their needs by acts of charity....Stated simply, charity means subordinating our interests and needs to those of others, as the Savior has done for all of us (p. 43)."
"I've been impressed recently with the thought that this life is made up of little things--little things that count a great deal (p. 59)."
"Do we take the time to remember the simple courtesies that are so important in building relationships with others? Do we remember the smile, the compliment, the positive note, and the word of encouragement? We should do these things without hesitation. They should be a part of our everyday manner (p. 61)."
"All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized about any other advice I have ever received. It has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength (p. 69)."
"'Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretence or policy, but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake--that is spirituality (President David O. McKay, p. 70).'"
"I believe that the best choices in life can be condensed into one sentence: Always choose the light rather than darkness (p. 73)."
"How can we, a relatively few, bring light to a world groping in spiritual darkness? Many would consider it an oversimplification to say that living the gospel of Jesus Christ gives answers to all the world's problems. As simplistic as this may sound, however, it is true. Of this I testify (p. 78)."
"Let us seek the light and keep our own lights shining, thus inviting the Spirit of the Lord into our lives, our homes, and he lives of our children and neighbors (p. 85)."
"Being true to one's duty is the mark of a true disciple of he Lord and a child of God. May we be valiant in our duty, stay in step, and not fail in our most important task: keeping our second estate. Being true to our duty will bring us to God (p. 95)."
"'A man's true greatness is not in what he says he is, nor in what people say he is; his greatness lies in what he really is. What he really is may be determined by how he acts in unguarded moments alone with his family or close friends (p. 102).'"
"Elder Widstoe noted that Joseph Smith had four qualities that made him great and were 'the cornerstones of his character: (1) He had unchanging faith and trust in God. (2) He loved truth. (3) He was humble. (4) He loved his fellowmen. These qualities always lead to greatness. Without them there is not true greatness (p. 105)."
"Joseph was completely honest. He honestly and openly made public his weakness. He honestly and openly expressed love. He honestly and openly expressed remorse (p. 108)."
"Our foundations should be solid and deep rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted (p. 115)."
"Even though we may enjoy the fellowship of the Saints and may have strong feelings about the inspired programs of the Church, we must remember that we have only one sure anchor for our souls. This is stated in the words of the prophet Helaman, when he taught his sons: 'And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation (Helaman 5:12).'"
"I believe happiness comes from a clear conscience and from being without guile or deception (p. 133)."
"We must become individuals of consequence. We must develop our talents and gifts and become all that we can, making the best possible use of the inheritance given to us by our forefathers. We must learn the truth, love the truth, and live the truth (p. 139)."
"Remember that success results when preparation meets opportunity in our lives. We will not always know precisely what opportunities will come or when they will come, but we can be sure they will be valuable only to the extent that we are prepared to respond to them (p. 150)."
"Our Heavenly Father knows the way for us to enjoy happiness and peace; the principles of the gospel mark the way. They are a gift to us, his children (p. 152)."
"When we are not in the act of praying, the Lord asks that we have a prayer in our hearts. If we are praying to him who is our Creator and asking for guidance and understanding, is not our grasp upon the iron rod? We let go when we stop praying (p. 163)."
"'I don't know much about the gospel other than what I've learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down stream after the cattle have waded in it...I appreciate other people's interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says...You ought to read the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants; and...all the scriptures with the idea of finding out what's in them and what the meaning is and not to prove some idea of your own. Just read them and plead with the Lord to let you understand what he had in mind when he wrote them (President Marion G. Romney, p. 165).'"
"Ofttimes we complain about not knowing the will of the Lord when actually we do know--or at least suspect we know--but we prefer to live with the question rather than the answer (p. 175)."
"The Savior selected [his disciples] because he could see far beyond their earthly appearance and look into their hearts, recognizing their potential (p. 179)."
"To be without guile is to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action. To beguile is to deceive or lead astray, as Lucifer beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden. A person without guile is a person who is innocent, who has honest intent and pure motives, and whose life reflects the simple practice of conforming daily actions to principles of integrity (p. 180)."
"I believe that the necessity for Latter-day Saints to be without guile may be more urgent now than at other times because many in the world apparently do not understand the importance of this virtue or are indifferent to it....Of far greater concern than the outward acts of guile are the inner feelings and the attitudes that motivate them. Fraud and deception appear to be increasingly acceptable; the only wrongdoing seems to be in being caught. The objective often is to get gain or to profit, regardless of the injury, loss, or damage to others. This attitude is totally contrary to the principles of the gospel. It hinders or thwarts the spiritual progress of anyone afflicted by it. The practice of guile prevents the Holy Ghost from prompting, guiding, and instructing us, leaving us ever more susceptible to the buffetings of Satan. When we break the commandments, we close ourselves to God's influence and open ourselves to Satan's influence (p. 183)."
"I suggest we look into our hearts and see whether or not our motives and actions are pure and above reproach and if we are free of deceit and fraud. Perhaps each of us can ask ourselves a few questions. Am I totally free of guile in my conversations and associations?... Am I forthright in my interviews?...Am I true to myself (p. 184)?"
"Visualize in your mind a society in which all are pure in heart and completely free of deceit and dishonesty. Can you imagine a total absence of contention and disputes, with no one ever attempting to deceive another? How would life be if we always were certain, without question, that what others represent to us is true? Theft would be unknown. We would have little use for jails or prisons, and litigation would be rare. The greatest blessing that would come to a society without guile is the personal inner peace that comes to those who know they are doing the right and that their lives are acceptable to the Lord. A society without guile is possible (p. 186)."
"'Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right.' (D&C 124:15.) I personally know of no higher praise that any person could receive (p. 187)."
"Our integrity determines what we really are (p. 190)."
"Another reward of integrity is the confidence it can give us in approaching God. When virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, our confidence is strong in the presence of God. (See D&C 121:45.) When we do what is right, we will not feel timid and hesitant about seeking divine direction. We will know that the Lord will answer our prayers and help us in our need. The consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (p. 194)."
"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives (p. 205)."
""There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth, and to the farthest reaches of the firmament, there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and working and waiting (Elder Richard L. Evans, p. 207).'"
"In our quest for pure hearts, may we ponder on righteous acts and thoughts, and may we be faithful and diligent (p. 213)."
"Guard well your spare moments. Emerson once said that spare moments are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life (p. 226)."
"What should our priorities be? The Savior taught, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.' (Matthew 6:33.)"
"We must keep all of the commandments. We cannot approach the gospel as we would a buffet or smorgasbord, choosing here a little and there a little. We must sit down to the whole feast and live the Lord's loving commandments in their fullness (p. 232)."
"President Howard W. Hunter has asked us all to 'live with ever more attention to the life and example of our Lord, Jesus Christ, especially the love and hope and compassion He displayed...treat each other with more kindness, more courtesy, more humility and patience and forgiveness.' In short, he asks us to develop and demonstrate Christlike attributes in all our dealings with others--to love our neighbors as ourselves. To show compassion, we must possess charity, 'the pure love of Christ' that the Father bestows upon 'all who are followers of his Son, Jesus Christ (Moroni 7:46-47)."
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"'Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (Romans 14:19).'"
"'The peace of Christ does not come by seeking the superficial things of life, neither does it come except as it springs from the individual's heart...this peace is conditioned upon obedience to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ....No man is at peace with himself or his God who is untrue to his better self, who transgresses the law of right either in dealing with himself by indulging in passion, in appetite, yielding to temptations against his accusing conscience, or in dealing with his fellowmen, being untrue to their trust. Peace does not come to the transgressor of law; peace comes by obedience to law, and it is that message which Jesus would have us proclaim among men (President David O. McKay, p. 5).'"
"Peace is more than a lofty ideal. It is a practical principle that, with conscious effort, can become a normal part of our lives as we deal with matters both large and small (p. 8)."
"Latter-day Saints are obligated to seek inner peace not only for the blessing it is to them but also so that they can radiate its influence to others (p. 9)."
"If sin has deprived us of peace within, we can repent and seek forgiveness (p. 9)."
"No one is immune to affliction and difficulty, whether it be economical, emotional, or spiritual. Immorality, violence, and divorce, with their accompanying sorrows, plague society worldwide. The only way to find peace, happiness, and security and to overcome the evils of the world and temptations of this generation is through the gospel of Jesus Christ (p. 23)."
"To possess a knowledge of Christ, we must become as he is (p. 27)."
"Imagine for a moment the result if everyone were to love one another as Jesus loves his disciples. We would have no bickering, quarreling, strife, or contention in our homes. We would not offend or insult one another either verbally or in any other way (p. 28)."
"I tell [the story of Jesus overcoming the temptations of Satan] in great detail because of its significance in our lives. I believe that frequent pondering upon its message would decisively strengthen us and give us direction. It would alert us constantly to many of the pitfalls and temptations that are rife today, such as seeking instant gratification, indulging in excessive appetites, falling prey to vanity and pride, and striving for worldly wealth and power. These temptations, made glamorous, are some of the most prevalent evils known to mankind. Being aware of them and pondering the God-given resources that may be utilized to overcome and resist them comprise our safety and salvation....It was in solitude, pondering, and praying that Jesus made ready to battle Satan face to face and resist and overcome all of his enticements (p. 37)."
"A sure indicator of true religion is concern for the poor of the earth. This leads us to provide for their needs by acts of charity....Stated simply, charity means subordinating our interests and needs to those of others, as the Savior has done for all of us (p. 43)."
"I've been impressed recently with the thought that this life is made up of little things--little things that count a great deal (p. 59)."
"Do we take the time to remember the simple courtesies that are so important in building relationships with others? Do we remember the smile, the compliment, the positive note, and the word of encouragement? We should do these things without hesitation. They should be a part of our everyday manner (p. 61)."
"All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized about any other advice I have ever received. It has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength (p. 69)."
"'Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every loyalty to an ideal; every unselfish devotion to principle; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretence or policy, but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake--that is spirituality (President David O. McKay, p. 70).'"
"I believe that the best choices in life can be condensed into one sentence: Always choose the light rather than darkness (p. 73)."
"How can we, a relatively few, bring light to a world groping in spiritual darkness? Many would consider it an oversimplification to say that living the gospel of Jesus Christ gives answers to all the world's problems. As simplistic as this may sound, however, it is true. Of this I testify (p. 78)."
"Let us seek the light and keep our own lights shining, thus inviting the Spirit of the Lord into our lives, our homes, and he lives of our children and neighbors (p. 85)."
"Being true to one's duty is the mark of a true disciple of he Lord and a child of God. May we be valiant in our duty, stay in step, and not fail in our most important task: keeping our second estate. Being true to our duty will bring us to God (p. 95)."
"'A man's true greatness is not in what he says he is, nor in what people say he is; his greatness lies in what he really is. What he really is may be determined by how he acts in unguarded moments alone with his family or close friends (p. 102).'"
"Elder Widstoe noted that Joseph Smith had four qualities that made him great and were 'the cornerstones of his character: (1) He had unchanging faith and trust in God. (2) He loved truth. (3) He was humble. (4) He loved his fellowmen. These qualities always lead to greatness. Without them there is not true greatness (p. 105)."
"Joseph was completely honest. He honestly and openly made public his weakness. He honestly and openly expressed love. He honestly and openly expressed remorse (p. 108)."
"Our foundations should be solid and deep rooted so we can withstand the winds of temptation, false doctrine, adversity, and the onslaught of the adversary without being swayed or uprooted (p. 115)."
"Even though we may enjoy the fellowship of the Saints and may have strong feelings about the inspired programs of the Church, we must remember that we have only one sure anchor for our souls. This is stated in the words of the prophet Helaman, when he taught his sons: 'And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation (Helaman 5:12).'"
"I believe happiness comes from a clear conscience and from being without guile or deception (p. 133)."
"We must become individuals of consequence. We must develop our talents and gifts and become all that we can, making the best possible use of the inheritance given to us by our forefathers. We must learn the truth, love the truth, and live the truth (p. 139)."
"Remember that success results when preparation meets opportunity in our lives. We will not always know precisely what opportunities will come or when they will come, but we can be sure they will be valuable only to the extent that we are prepared to respond to them (p. 150)."
"Our Heavenly Father knows the way for us to enjoy happiness and peace; the principles of the gospel mark the way. They are a gift to us, his children (p. 152)."
"When we are not in the act of praying, the Lord asks that we have a prayer in our hearts. If we are praying to him who is our Creator and asking for guidance and understanding, is not our grasp upon the iron rod? We let go when we stop praying (p. 163)."
"'I don't know much about the gospel other than what I've learned from the standard works. When I drink from a spring I like to get the water where it comes out of the ground, not down stream after the cattle have waded in it...I appreciate other people's interpretation, but when it comes to the gospel we ought to be acquainted with what the Lord says...You ought to read the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants; and...all the scriptures with the idea of finding out what's in them and what the meaning is and not to prove some idea of your own. Just read them and plead with the Lord to let you understand what he had in mind when he wrote them (President Marion G. Romney, p. 165).'"
"Ofttimes we complain about not knowing the will of the Lord when actually we do know--or at least suspect we know--but we prefer to live with the question rather than the answer (p. 175)."
"The Savior selected [his disciples] because he could see far beyond their earthly appearance and look into their hearts, recognizing their potential (p. 179)."
"To be without guile is to be free of deceit, cunning, hypocrisy, and dishonesty in thought or action. To beguile is to deceive or lead astray, as Lucifer beguiled Eve in the Garden of Eden. A person without guile is a person who is innocent, who has honest intent and pure motives, and whose life reflects the simple practice of conforming daily actions to principles of integrity (p. 180)."
"I believe that the necessity for Latter-day Saints to be without guile may be more urgent now than at other times because many in the world apparently do not understand the importance of this virtue or are indifferent to it....Of far greater concern than the outward acts of guile are the inner feelings and the attitudes that motivate them. Fraud and deception appear to be increasingly acceptable; the only wrongdoing seems to be in being caught. The objective often is to get gain or to profit, regardless of the injury, loss, or damage to others. This attitude is totally contrary to the principles of the gospel. It hinders or thwarts the spiritual progress of anyone afflicted by it. The practice of guile prevents the Holy Ghost from prompting, guiding, and instructing us, leaving us ever more susceptible to the buffetings of Satan. When we break the commandments, we close ourselves to God's influence and open ourselves to Satan's influence (p. 183)."
"I suggest we look into our hearts and see whether or not our motives and actions are pure and above reproach and if we are free of deceit and fraud. Perhaps each of us can ask ourselves a few questions. Am I totally free of guile in my conversations and associations?... Am I forthright in my interviews?...Am I true to myself (p. 184)?"
"Visualize in your mind a society in which all are pure in heart and completely free of deceit and dishonesty. Can you imagine a total absence of contention and disputes, with no one ever attempting to deceive another? How would life be if we always were certain, without question, that what others represent to us is true? Theft would be unknown. We would have little use for jails or prisons, and litigation would be rare. The greatest blessing that would come to a society without guile is the personal inner peace that comes to those who know they are doing the right and that their lives are acceptable to the Lord. A society without guile is possible (p. 186)."
"'Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right.' (D&C 124:15.) I personally know of no higher praise that any person could receive (p. 187)."
"Our integrity determines what we really are (p. 190)."
"Another reward of integrity is the confidence it can give us in approaching God. When virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, our confidence is strong in the presence of God. (See D&C 121:45.) When we do what is right, we will not feel timid and hesitant about seeking divine direction. We will know that the Lord will answer our prayers and help us in our need. The consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (p. 194)."
"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives (p. 205)."
""There seems to be little evidence that the Creator of the universe was ever in a hurry. Everywhere, on this bounteous and beautiful earth, and to the farthest reaches of the firmament, there is evidence of patient purpose and planning and working and waiting (Elder Richard L. Evans, p. 207).'"
"In our quest for pure hearts, may we ponder on righteous acts and thoughts, and may we be faithful and diligent (p. 213)."
"Guard well your spare moments. Emerson once said that spare moments are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life (p. 226)."
"What should our priorities be? The Savior taught, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.' (Matthew 6:33.)"
"We must keep all of the commandments. We cannot approach the gospel as we would a buffet or smorgasbord, choosing here a little and there a little. We must sit down to the whole feast and live the Lord's loving commandments in their fullness (p. 232)."
"President Howard W. Hunter has asked us all to 'live with ever more attention to the life and example of our Lord, Jesus Christ, especially the love and hope and compassion He displayed...treat each other with more kindness, more courtesy, more humility and patience and forgiveness.' In short, he asks us to develop and demonstrate Christlike attributes in all our dealings with others--to love our neighbors as ourselves. To show compassion, we must possess charity, 'the pure love of Christ' that the Father bestows upon 'all who are followers of his Son, Jesus Christ (Moroni 7:46-47)."
March 13, 2021
Due to the title, I was hoping for more of a focus on how to find peace in one’s life. Still an excellent book, the key message being how to develop personal righteousness. I love Elder Wirthlin; he was a very hopeful and optimistic man. But for someone who struggles with optimism, I gleaned only a little of what I was looking for: practical ways to feel peace:) I guess the main way suggested is to do what helps you feel the Holy Spirit.
March 16, 2020
This was a good book. Bro. Wirthlin wrote of many things we face in the world today and talked of ways we can experience peace.
September 10, 2020
Wonderful messages from an apostle of the Lord. The chapters reinforce simple but important teachings to help and strengthen us while here on earth.
September 15, 2025
There were a few profound points, but overall it focused too much on dos and don'ts and unrelated doctrinal opinions. Too outdated for my taste.
February 22, 2010
I love Elder Wirthlin! We got a lot of books for our wedding that were written by the apostles and I am ashamed to say that they have been sitting on our bookshelf mostly as decoration. So I decided it was time to actually read them. So, of course, I picked Elder Wirthlins first! It took a while to read because its just like reading a whole bunch of talks...not very suspenseful if you know what I mean. His counsel and advice is golden and uplifting. Many times I would find things that would relate to the lesson I was going to be teaching that sunday, so it was great!
November 23, 2008
I really loved the messages in this book. It was very helpful. I must admit I took a really, really long time to read it, though. It's divided up into short chapters - each with it's own topic. So, I could read a little here and there. By the time I finished the book, I couldn't remember what the beginning was about!
May 27, 2013
An insightful book. I first got this book to use in a lesson. I have read this several times and still go back to it. I still go back to this book and re-read this. Every time, I find something that strikes a chord. Elder Wirthlin touches on Basic doctrinal concepts in such an insightful way.
November 23, 2015
I miss Joseph B Wirthlin's talks and his stick-to-it-ive-ness. I loved this book because each chapter was short, sweet, and to the point.
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