A short story of a king who offers a prize to the artist who can paint the best picture of peace. Will you be surprised which painting he chooses? Learn from Elder M. Russell Ballard how we too can live in perfect peace.
Story
The Real Meaning Of Peace
Author Unknown
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive.
The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.
It was a picture of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Surely this was the winner.
The king uncovered the last painting, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? This picture had mountains like the previous painting but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw a little bird had built a nest on a branch of a tree. A tree that reached out in the direction of the tumultuous waterfall. Yet there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, sat the mother bird on her nest – in perfect peace.
The king chose the last picture.
Image used with permission. Artist K.M. Carroll at https://kmcarrollblog.wordpress.com
How We Too Can Be in Perfect Peace
In a world filled with anguish, loneliness, heartache, sickness, and sorrow – one would think that peace was impossible to find. Especially when the world tells us that there cannot be peace in the midst of conflict. Peace by worldly standards is portrayed most often in quiet, calm, picturesque scenery. Although I do agree that an idyllic landscape is most calming and peaceful, unfortunately, it does not last.
Life will never be 100% perfect or void of trials and tribulations. That isn’t the plan. The Lord’s plan is for us to come to earth to be tried and tested that we may learn and grow and return back to Him. Along with that plan, He has also made a way for us to find everlasting peace in the midst of conflict. A peace that doesn’t come from the outside, but a peace that comes from within.
Satan, however, would have us believe that peace comes from living however we want, putting our wants and desires first and foremost, and by seeking the approval of others. Yet no one has ever found lasting peace while striving to fill that bottomless pit of self-gratification. On the contrary, true peace comes only as we seek Jesus Christ, keep our covenants, and give freely of ourselves to others. As we do so, we will feel that peace that we so truly desire and it will become anchored in our hearts and souls, firmly secured regardless of the tumultuous conditions going on in the world around us.
A perfect example of someone having the utmost peace in the face of tribulation was Joseph Smith. On his way to Carthage, although he had been arrested and acquitted thirty-seven times, he knew this time he would not return. Joseph Smith said:
“I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense toward God and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me—he was murdered in cold blood.” (Documentary History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 630.)
Elder M. Russell Ballard once said, “There is no peace in sin. There may be ease, popularity, fame, and even prosperity, but there is no peace.”
Real peace, as the scriptures and modern-day prophets testify, comes only through our Savior Jesus Christ. He offers us an inner peace that surpasses the peace the world offers.
Elder Ballard has also taught:
As we look to Jesus Christ, in the midst of life’s storms and a world full of turmoil, we too can be undisturbed in our surroundings. We too can be in perfect peace.
Additional Resources
To read all of Elder Ballard’s talk entitled, “Jesus Christ: Our Source of Peace,” Click HERE
For a free download of the quote image by Elder Ballard, Click HERE
A perfect song that goes along with this story is Peace in Christ, the 2018 Mutual Theme. To listen, Click HERE
Yours Truly,
P.S. Stories are a powerful way to teach gospel principles. The Savior is a great example of this as the scriptures are filled with stories and parables that He taught during His ministry. Be sure you are kept aware of all the newest short stories that are shared here in Melanie’s Library by signing up for inspiring resources to be delivered right to your inbox!
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