Feature Article

The Peacegiver
By James L. Ferrell

A Personal Introduction to The Peacegiver
By Kevin Lindley

Elder Hafen once said, "When we habitually understate the meaning of the Atonement, we take [a serious risk]...for some may simply drop out of the race, worn out and beaten down with the harsh and untrue belief that they are just not celestial material."

At the time I decided to actually deal with my same-sex attractions, I was convinced that I simply could not continue to resist temptation. God was just making my life too hard. About that same time, I had the opportunity to read The Peacegiver by James Ferrell. He taught the doctrines of forgiveness and repentance in a way that really made sense to me. It changed the way I viewed the world and my attractions. Even more amazing are the insights I continue to have as I try to apply the principles I learned from The Peacegiver to my life. I believe that The Peacegiver helps us avoid minimizing the blessing that is the Atonement by imbuing hope in the hearts of those who read it.

Brother Ferrell doesn't teach any new or radical doctrine. He founds the principles in his book on the scriptures and words of living prophets. However, the way he presents them has helped me better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. More importantly, it helped me understand how to apply the Atonement to my life.

Just as Jesus used parables to teach eternal truths, The Peacegiver tells the story of a couple experiencing marital problems. Now, before anyone says, "That doesn't apply to me," I want to make it clear that James Ferrell simply used one of thousands of scenarios which could equally well model the principles. I won't even attempt to retell the story or sum up Brother Ferrell's work. He does a fantastic job. I do want to make a general list of the insights I have gained from the book, some of my own personal applications.

I've learned why it is so important to forgive others, and how the Savior can help me do so. I learned that life really is fair if allow the Atonement to work in our lives. I discovered just what sin is and why it is so deadly to our souls specifically, why it is hard to break free from sinful behaviors and thoughts. I learned that the Atonement can help me overcome all the consequences of my sins. I also learned how the Atonement can compensate for all the conditions of mortality that might hinder my eternal progression. I gained a new insight into the true purpose of mortality. Most importantly, I learned of the love my Savior has for me. He is so willing to come to my rescue if I will only come to him.

This understanding has been an invaluable blessing to my life as I have struggled with my trials. Understanding the nature of sin and the compensatory power of the Atonement has greatly increased my faith in the Savior's ability to save me, not only from myself, but also from the challenges I face. This refers to help in overcoming addictive behaviors as well as living with temptations that seem unbearable.

Frequently, the way I look at the world is distorted; I am often spiritually blinded to one degree or another. I don't recognize the real source of happiness. Through the story of The Peacegiver, I have learned where that blindness comes from and how the Savior offers to heal me.

Praise God for the infinite and intimate power of the Atonement. I have witnessed and felt that power change my own life. I know that these things are true. I know that Christ can deliver us from every influence which will drag us farther from him. However, He will do so only if we allow Him to. When we come to the Savior with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He can heal our hearts, bringing peace in to our lives, regardless of our circumstances. He truly is the Peacegiver.

"The captivity of sin has been broken! The Lord God Almighty has risen 'with healing in his wings.' He stretches forth his arms to the world, feeling after them with his Holy Spirit. He comes to each of us, posing the posing the question he posed to Jonah, pleading with us, as Abigail did, to forgive, and literally dying to give us his Spirit and the new heart he has forged that will free us from the chains of our sins. If we harden not our hearts and stiffen not our necks against him, he will facilitate the breaking of our sinful, stony hearts and will give us what Ezekiel called his 'new heart of flesh,' saving us from our 'uncleanness.' This is the miracle of Gethsemane."

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