Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness
Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
November 10th, 2025
My daily scripture studies have me in the last chapters of Mosiah. In these chapters we read of an angel’s visit to Alma and the sons of Mosiah. Alma and the sons of Mosiah are rebellious men who go about their community seeking to destroy the Church by attacking the faith of its members. The angel makes this visit because of the prayers of faith offered by Alma’s father. The visit of this angel is so overwhelming to Alma, that he falls into a state of unconsciousness for three days. Alma is carried to the home of his father. Upon seeing his son’s condition, Alma (the elder) calls people of the Church together:
“And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him.” (Mosiah 27:21)
Reading this verse carefully, we are taught an important lesson. Alma called the people together to witness what the Lord had done “for” his son, not “to” his son. Alma recognized that though his son was suffering greatly from the angel’s visit, the experience his son was being given was “for” his good.
Do we see the challenges and difficulties we often experience in life with this eye of faith? Do we see that the challenges and afflictions of life may be “for” our good? Do we see that the Lord may be trying to teach us important lessons critical to grow our faith in Him?
Eventually, Alma (the younger) awakes from unconsciousness. He is a changed man through the vision he receives while unconscious. He spends the remainder of his life as a prophet leading and building up the Church. The experience with the angel is of great benefit “for” Alma.
Lehi taught his son, Jacob, that afflictions and difficulties in life can be “for” our good:
“… thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain. (2 Nephi 2:2)
I know the Lord has the capacity to “consecrate” our afflictions “for” our “gain” and benefit.
We see good people suffer difficulties in life. It is easy to wonder why good people suffer hard things. I often wondered why Sister Quinn, one of the kindest and most Christlike individuals I know, suffered so many years with anxiety and depression. Lehi teaches us in the verse above that if we remain true and faithful to God through difficult trials, He will turn them to our benefit. Our difficulties in life can refine and purify us as we look to the Lord in love and faith for strength. This has certainly been the case for Sister Quinn. Her unwavering faithfulness and devotion to God, during great suffering, further refined her goodness, faith, empathy, and charity.
The Apostle Paul also taught the blessings that can be ours from affliction:
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” (Heb. 12:11)
Missionary life can present each of us with difficult challenges. As described by Paul, these challenges can seem “grievous.” I promise that if we endure our challenges and afflictions well, the Lord will turn them to our benefit – even producing “peaceable fruit of righteousness.” What a beautiful promise!
Sister Quinn and I are grateful and blessed to serve with you. We pray for your safety and success in the Lord’s service. I testify the Lord will bless and sustain us in His holy work – no matter the challenges this work presents to us. As we exercise faith in Him, He has the power to turn all things “for” our good.
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
