Peace, Be Still

“Peace, Be Still”

President Quinn’s Weekly Message

California Santa Rosa Mission

December 15, 2025

Thank you for joining us Friday morning for the virtual zone conference. We hope the instruction we provided on the temple endowment will be a blessing as you worship in the temple. We look forward to being will each of you this week in our annual temple trip.

The first message delivered by heavenly messengers on the night of the Savior’s birth should hold significance and hope for each of us:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14)

During His ministry on earth, we read of many instances when the Savior brought peace to others. One edifying account is found in the gospel of Mark:

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40)

There are many lessons we can learn from this account. First, the Savior was human. He was subject to human exhaustion just as we are. Remember this when you feel exhaustion fulfilling your missionary purpose. The Savior’s divinity in life did not excuse him from the physical limitations we all face. Because of His mortality, the Savior understands the challenges and pains we face in life. Alma teaches:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people… that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:11-12)

I love the insight Alma provides us in this verse. In short, the Savior “gets it”. His atoning sacrifice was both infinite and intimate. While bearing the collective suffering of all mankind, His omnipotence allowed His atonement to be personalized for each of us. The Savior experienced the challenges and difficulties life would present to each of us – He has felt our individual pain and suffering. Because of His suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross, I testify He knows how to “succor” us personally.

Secondly, the Savior has the power to restore peace and calm when it is lost. We can have access to His power through sincere and earnest prayer – just as His disciples did. Notice, it was the pleading of the disciples that awoke the Savior, not the storm. Each of us, while striving to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, will encounter storms in life. We need to remember the power and assistance available to us through our prayers to our Heavenly Father – answered through our advocate Jesus Christ. I know our prayers will bring us the peace, calm, and blessings we seek. Please always remember this promise from the Savior given to His disciples:

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

What a beautiful promise! I testify of the Savior’s power to bring us peace. Just as He calmed the troubled sea, He possesses the power to bring us calm and peace in the storms life presents us.

Thank you for your faithfulness and goodness. We love you! Sister Quinn and I pray the Lord’s choicest and abundant blessings upon each of you. We look forward to being with you later this week in the temple.

Love,

President Quinn

(630) 881-4030