As the world speeds up, it seems that it is getting harder to stay grounded on current affairs. We are surrounded by AI and it’s multi-use purposes driven by “who-knows?” This week in Relief Society we focused on Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk from October General Conference. It was ringing with the same tones that President Nelson gave us in one of his talks. It was titled, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”

Imagine with me you are a young teenager in Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee, during the ministry of Jesus Christ. Word spreads of a rabbi—a teacher—whose message draws multitudes. Neighbors plan to travel to a mount overlooking the sea to hear Him.

You join others walking the dusty roads of Galilee. Upon your arrival, the large crowd gathered to hear this Jesus surprises you. Some quietly whisper, “Messiah.”

You listen. His words touch your heart. On the long walk home, you choose quiet over conversation.

You ponder wondrous things—things that transcend even the law of Moses. He spoke of turning the other cheek and loving your enemies. He promised, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

In your reality, as you feel the weight of difficult days—uncertainty and fear—peace feels distant.

Your pace quickens; you arrive home breathless. Your family gathers; your father asks, “Tell us what you heard and feel.”

You share that He invited you to let your light shine before others, to seek righteousness even when persecuted. Your voice catches as you repeat, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

You ask, “Can I truly become a peacemaker when the world is in commotion, when my heart is filled with fear, and when peace seems so far away?”

Your father glances at your mother and answers gently, “Yes. We begin in the most basic place—in our hearts. Then in our homes and families. As we practice there, peacemaking can spread to our streets and villages.”

Fast forward 2,000 years. No need to imagine—this is our reality. Although the pressures felt by today’s rising generation differ from those of the young person in Galilee—polarization, secularization, retaliation, road rage, outrage, and social media pile-ons—both generations face cultures of conflict and tension.

In Relief Society we discussed the three ways in which we can become peacemakers; in our hearts, our homes and our communities. I loved that Elder Stevenson offers a one week Peacemaker Plan.

In summary, I offer an invitation. Peacemaking demands action—what might that be, for each of us, starting tomorrow? Would you consider a one-week, three-step peacemaker plan?

1. A contention-free home zone: When contention starts, pause and reboot with kind words and deeds.
2. Digital bridge building: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, Will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send. Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.
3. Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite.

This is such a great reminder and plan on how to have more peace in our lives. We live in contentious times and everything seems to be polarized. I need to ask myself when I am feeling anxious about situations in the world and our country that seem out of control, “Can you do anything about it?” Some things are simply too big for my heart and soul and I need to realise that being anxious, fearful and angry do not come from God. Those are Satan’s tools and I need to press forward with my faith.

This week, I received tender mercies that make me acutely aware that God knows me and what I need. Sister Whitehead and I often complimented each other on our outfits, our hair and our talents. It seems that we both love receiving words of affirmation. I wondered how I was to cope with having her gone home to Utah. On Tuesday morning, one of my fellow temple workers, Patti Clark, came into the locker room and very sincerely, complimented me on my dress and it’s color. I felt tears come to my eyes as I felt the love of the Lord in showing me that others can fill my love bucket too.

Sister Stevens had given me what I call a “Joy Jar” full of quotes that I could open up and read to bring me joy. I was saving it for some special day but then I read her instructions and it was to used any day, not just for a special occaison. Today I finally opened the first one. Maybe I was saving them because it was hard to open it and not cry about my friend being at home.

Another temple worker has a daughter who was expecting her first baby. The baby was also the first grandchild for Jen and Keith Baker. I have a quilt top made for their baby, ready to be quilted. Her daughter experienced extreme sickness throughout her entire pregnancy. A couple of weeks ago, while in the celestial room, I decided to pray for her daughter. One technique that I have learned is about imagining a brillant white light surrounding a person or targeting the body part that has pain or injury. This white light represents the pure love of God. When it is done with a pure heart full of charity, miracles happen. I mentioned to Jen that I was praying for her daughter and hoped that the last week of her pregnancy would be better. Jen reported back to me that the day that I had prayed for her daughter, she was able to actually eat a meal and keep it down, also she was well enough to leave the house and go for a drive in the car. I am so grateful that God hears my prayers and answers them.

We are shifting gears into winter now. Today we received our first snowfall. Erik went for his walk in the snow this morning. I bought some merino wool gloves and they are delightful! I don’t mind cold as long as I am dressed appropriately. With my protocol I am doing, my metabolism is ramping up and I am no longer cold. I have warmth in my hands and feet, which is so strange to me after years of freezing. We were under a winter storm watch. I think that Palmyra is in an area that gets less snow than areas to the west or east. Because of the lake effect snow, some areas can get quite the deluge.

On Thursday, we drove into Rochester for an endocrinologist appointment. Okay, true confessions… I struggle with appointments not being on time. This drove my blood pressure up, and I kept telling myself, “Calm down, everything will work out!” I first saw an endocrinology fellow for an hour before seeing the “real” endocrinologist. Things went as expected; I didn’t have my questions answered, and they just want to push drugs. I told them that I will pray about it and see what God wants me to do. They both said, “Okay.” Neither seemed put off that I said that. My sister Tracy tells me that I have a “ness” of Don’t Mess With Me! I left with a feeling of, “That was a colossal waste of time!”

The next morning, my scripture reading opened with Mormon 8: 26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord, and none can stay it; and it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.

Last year the Lord promised me that my healing would be wonderful and miraculous. I loved the reminder in that scripture. Again, it let me know that His promises are sure and He is aware of me.

Bread baking had to happen last week. I made a gluten free loaf for Erik and a grain free loaf for myself. Because of humidity, the loaves were baked but had a high moisture content. I let the loaves cool and then slice them, bag them and freeze them. It seems that moist bread likes to stick to itself and it was better to just put the loaves in the fridge rather than try and pry apart frozen slices that didn’t want to leave their friends behind.

It’s going to be time to start some little sewing projects for our Spanish Branch for Christmas. I’ve got some ideas, so we’ll see how time marches on. There is a Christmas store in the town of Lyons that I would dearly love to visit. Our Branch President called me today for some ideas to share love to members in our Branch. I gave him a couple and he thought they were good. We will discuss with the other leaders on Sunday.

We have a “Visa Waiter” in our Branch who is waiting on his visa to go to Peru on his mission. He will get a good start on his Spanish with our two Elders who serve in our Branch.

I was able to see Sister Jill Cosman from my home Ward of Lacombe. She came to the temple with a new member to do baptisms. Sister Cosman gives the best hugs! She shared news from home and I know that she will be blessed because of her mission that she is serving.

I saw a lady at the temple with a dress that had a red poppy print. I mentioned how appropriate that dress is for this time of the year. Everyone in the waiting room seemed confused and that’s where I found out that Americans do not wear the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for Remembrance Day (Veteran’s Day in USA). When I explained it’s significance to me, they all wished that they had that in the USA. I forgot to bring our poppies from Canada. From being raised in the military, it is important to me. Here is the link to help you with the wearing of poppies.

https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/how-to-wear-a-poppy

Have a lovely week; stay safe and know that God is fully aware of you and your needs. Sometimes He uses earthly angels to do His bidding, sometimes it’s angels from the other side of the veil. You are special to Him and His love knows no bounds.