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Foundation for Inner Peace



My Personal Parable for Peace

By Nancy M. Christensen

Nancy M. Christensen, “My Personal Parable for Peace,” Ensign, July 2006, 9

I had always fretted about “what if?” As a child, I worried, “What if I don’t get picked?” As a young adult, I agonized, “What if I don’t get asked?” As an adult, I panicked, “What if I’m not good enough?” No matter how much success I had enjoyed earlier in my life, each time I faced a new challenge, my head would ache, my stomach would twist into knots, and I couldn’t eat. I knew it had gotten out of hand when I started having anxiety attacks. I never knew when the attacks would come. As a result I didn’t want to be alone, leave home, or drive the car—not exactly reasonable expectations for a mother of four young children. What could I do? Where could I find relief?

One hot summer Sunday afternoon, these questions were weighing heavily on my mind. It was fast Sunday, and our Church meetings were over. My two sons, aged five and seven, raced to see who could get inside the house and out of the heat first. They stood on the step next to the door, jostling each other for position, each grabbing the door handle and trying to turn the knob and push the door open. The door was locked. I caught up with them, slid my key into the lock, and tried to turn the handle, but the boys were each holding it so tightly that I could not turn the key.

The words “If you would just let go for a minute, I could turn the key and let you in” tumbled out of my mouth. Almost immediately, my sons relaxed their grip. I turned the key, and we were inside the house.

As I said those words, an image popped into my mind. I imagined the Savior standing next to me, repeating my own words back to me: “If you would just let go for a minute, I could turn the key for you. Let go. Let me help.”

I had my answer. I realized that by letting go of the fear and worry, I could open myself up to the love of the Savior. My fears may or may not materialize, but when I trust in the Lord, somehow things work out for the best.

As I let go of my worries and put my trust in the Savior, I have gained a testimony that through the Atonement, our most difficult burdens can be lifted.

Dinner Talk Discussion

2Nephi 31:20
Alma the Younger also had a son who had some difficulties with the commandments. He taught his son about the atonement. This was a father’s experience.
What about a Mother’s experience?
What if Eve had not pressed forward?
How might things have been different for her family and children?
What if Eve had not Pressed Forward?



 The Atonement

Near our house is a church that often puts clever sayings on their marque. One such that caught my attention was: Next time Satan reminds you of your past, just remind him about his future.”
Sometimes we get caught in our past, agonizing over all the foolish or hurtful things we have said or done during our lives. I know I do. It is times like these that I am deeply grateful for the story of Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon. None of what I did, or anyone in this room has ever done, ever came close to being as bad as what Alma the Younger did.

I. Review
A. Alma the Elder, a priest as a young man in king Noah’s court, repented of his sins and became the spiritual leader of Zarahemla. The church in Zarahemla was comprised of the people who had heard king Benjamin’s discourse and become a covenant people, the Mulekites, Limhi’s people, and Alma’s group. The church prospered.
The rising generation, however, did not appreciate the sacrifices of their parents, and took the gospel for granted.
B. Mosiah 27:8-9 What do we know about Alma the Younger?
1. He was middle aged.
2. He was excommunicated. By whom?
C. How did Alma the Elder feel, and what did he do?
D. Conversion of Alma the Younger.
E. Alma 36:13-18 What rescued Alma from his misery?

II. The Atonement
A. Elder Packer:
The angels of the devil convince some that they are born to a life from which they cannot escape and are compelled to live in sin. The most wicked of lies is that they cannot change and repent and that they will not be forgiven. That cannot be true. They have forgotten the Atonement of Christ. . . This lie will rob you of peace.
Sheri Dew reminds us that we of ourselves can’t change our hearts, but the Lord can, if we just let Him. That’s what the atonement is all about.
• Christ is the Creator, the Healer. What He made, He can fix.
• Through the Father’s redeeming plan, those who may stumble and fall “are not cast off forever.” (BKM title page)

If we let Him, we will find that we can look on our past as history to learn from. But it is in the past. It’s done. It’s over. You can’t change it. Let it go. You know the misery that poor choices brings. You won’t repeat those mistakes— it’s too painful. But you don’t need to relive that anguish over and over again, either.
Let the Atonement take over. Christ atoned for your repented sins. You have repented, so don’t let His suffering be in vain.
• Christ came to rescue us from the guilt of repented sins
• He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.”(D&C 58:42)