All of us are searching for peace. Jesus is the only source of peace that lasts. (John 14-17)

14:1-6

It's easy for people to feel lost. If a person doesn't know the purpose of his or her life, despair comes more easily. Also, if someone thinks that their is a heaven and hell and about 1/2 of people will go to each, that is unsettling. We could live in constant fear that we aren't accumulating enough points to enter into heaven. We may envision a powerful angel at the gate with a clipboard and hope our name is on the list. Even if people want to enter heaven, they may not feel confident that they know the way. Jesus answers all of these concerns in these verses.

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." Jesus doesn't want us worried about whether we are getting into heaven or not. The footnote in this verse leads to D&C 50:41-42: "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." We are safe. Jesus has already overcome the world. We are already saved.

Having said that, there are differences in rewards and responsibilities in heaven. "In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." Our eternal conditions will vary. The good news is that our heavenly home will be exactly where we want to be. I don't believe that there will be eternal torment in heaven. There won't be unsatisfied yearning for something greater than what we have.

"And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus showed us the path. It's not a secret path! This life is hard enough. It would be nearly impossible if there wasn't a roadmap given. Jesus is the way. Our responsibility is to know him and learn what he taught and know what he did. Once we know, we can act. We just need to follow him and we can be where he is.

14:8-11

Phillip asks a decent question. "Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." He wanted to see Heavenly Father. Jesus had talked about him and given him credit over and over again. They felt it was time to see him.

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" Jesus was the personification of the Father. Jesus knew his Father perfectly. He was perfectly obedient. There is no space between them. They wouldn't be able to discern a meaningful difference.

"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Because Jesus was perfectly emulating his Father, you could say that what Jesus said and what Jesus did came from the Father. Jesus is saying that his Father was the author of his words and works.

Finally, Jesus makes a request. "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake." Jesus is asking Phillip to have faith in what he is saying. And, if he can't do that, at least believe the mighty works that he has personally witnessed.

14:15

This is one of the most well-known statements Jesus said. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." He's clearly saying how we can fulfill the greatest commandment of loving God with all of our mind, might and strength.

Are there other, higher, things that we can do to love God? I think so. I think that striving to get to know God through his Son is a great way to love God. Frankly, how do you love someone you don't know? As we get to know the character of Christ, we can better emulate the man who perfectly emulated his Father. We grow closer to God and our love for him grows.

Also, I think serving others is another way to love God. It also helps us know him because we are putting ourselves in the position of doing what he would do - just as Jesus did. By seeing others has God's children, we acquire a parental perspective that helps us have empathy with our Heavenly Father. As we serve others, we not only show our love for God, we actually love God more!

This all starts with obedience. If we know God and serve others and then disobey what he has taught us, our "love" is a house of cards. Our love for God is built on a foundation of obedience.

14:17

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." The world has no capacity to receive the Holy Ghost because they cannot even see him. How can you receive something you aren't aware of?

Attempting to explain the blessings of the Spirit to someone who doesn't believe it is a frustrating exercise in futility. The Spirit can only be discerned by spiritual eyes. Even if they have felt they promptings of the Spirit, they can easily rationalize those feelings as prompts from their own subconscious.

As we receive the Spirit, he dwells with us and is IN us. Just as Jesus and God are one, we and the Spirit can be one - perfectly united.

14:19-20

These are some profound scriptures. I'm not sure my small brain can understand them. "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you." I don't think this is talking about how the apostles will literally see Jesus. I think it has more to do with seeing Jesus in every thing. It's about seeing the world through the lens of Jesus Christ.

For example:

• When we look at nature, we are thankful for Jesus as its creator.

• When someone is rude to us, we love him with a Christlike love.

• When we experience trials, we remember what Jesus endured and it gives us strength.

• When we go through a crisis, we keep things in perspective because of the entire plan of salvation.

• When we get old, we have hope in the resurrection - made possible by Jesus Christ.

• When we have success, we remember how all good things come from God. Jesus taught us this through his example.

As we believe that Jesus lives and continuously attempt to love him through keeping his commandments, Jesus can be in us the very same way that the Father is in Jesus Christ. We can be united with Jesus as we strive to do exactly what he would do if he were in our position.

It's hard to describe how much I have to work on for this to happen!

14:26

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." There are three roles of the Holy Ghost that are outlined here:

1. Comforter. The Holy Ghost comforts. How? Not sure. I believe that the Spirit can help us feel peace in the midst of turmoil. Feelings of despair can be replaced by feelings of joy through the Holy Ghost.

2. Teach you all things. Spiritual principles can only be learned by the Spirit. The things that matter are taught by the Holy Ghost. A grand teacher could never have the slightest impact compared with what the Holy Ghost can do. Our minds can be expanded by the Holy Ghost.

3. Bring all things to your remembrance. This one is tricky for me because my memory is so poor. But, consider how animals live. They are 99% in the present. They aren't thinking about the future or remembering the past. They are operating on instinct mostly. I think many humans live the same way. The Holy Ghost aids us in remembering all of the important lessons that we have learned in the past. We are more a product of all of the lessons we have learned when we have the Holy Ghost with us.

14:27

"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." The peace that the Spirit can bring is unlike any peace that the world can offer. The peace that Christ gives is the ability to have faith and hope in the future. This peace comes from knowing what is right and doing it.

This type of peace cannot be taken from us. No force on earth can take away our choice to choose the right. All other worldly sources of peace can be removed - almost instantly. Consider the peace that comes from these sources:

• Happy marriage.

• Fulfilling career.

• Beautiful home.

• Loving children.

• Financial success.

All of these can be taken in an instant.

If we compare peace with happiness, there is no other lasting source of happiness other than choosing what we know to be right. I've seen people who are amazingly successful in their careers be miserable.

Marci and I were staying at an exclusive hotel in Israel. It was in the middle of nowhere so we ate meals with the other guests in the restaurant. We noticed that everyone looked unhappy. These people were in a beautiful location, eating gourmet food, relaxing all day and appeared miserable. Why is that?

We've seen the rich and famous commit suicide. We've seen couples who appear to have everything divorce. We've seen people with power and prestige end up in prison.

Certainly, there is no peace on earth like the peace that Jesus gives.

14:31

"But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." I love that Jesus wanted the world to know how much he loved his Father. The way he showed that love is to be obedient.

We can learn from this. We should all desire that the world can perceive how much we love our Heavenly Father. That love can shine through our obedience to his commandments.

15:4-5

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." There are many accomplished people in this world who aren't connected to Jesus Christ. There is much success to be had in the world that isn't related to the Savior in any way.

But, this isn't what he is talking about. He's talking to his disciples. He's talking about their efforts as missionaries. For them to be successful, they must be directly connected to Jesus. Just the same way that Jesus was connected to his Father. For them to be able to gather Israel in any meaningful way, Jesus Christ needs to be At the center of their missionary work.

This is absolutely true for us. Those who are attempting to gather Israel cannot do it independently of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we try. Sometimes, we can give a lesson on tithing or obedience or repentance or scripture study or anything without even mentioning the name of Jesus Christ. It happens a lot actually. Sometimes we can bear testimony and not mention the name of Jesus until we close. This is a problem.

Why? What's so bad about teaching gospel principles without mentioning Jesus Christ? The problem is that no lasting conversion has ever been accomplished through a set of principles. Principles don't inspire action and commitment - at least not as well as loyalty to a person. It is much easier for my heart to be committed to Jesus Christ than the gospel in general.

This is why church leaders have asked us to talk about the atonement of Jesus Christ rather than just saying "the atonement." Our commitment increases when we think of these principles as they relate to what Jesus did. We should not be attempting to convert people to the gospel. We are converting as disciples of Jesus Christ. The church is simply another tool for helping us be better disciples.

15:7

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." There appears to be two requirements for receiving what we ask:

1. "Abide in me."

2. "My words abide in you."

I'm having a hard time understanding what this verse is saying.

Two definitions on abide are:

1. Accept or act in accordance with.

2. Continue without fading or being lost.

So, abiding in Jesus may mean to accept his words/teachings and act in accordance with them. We have faith in what he said. His teachings affect our behavior. We abide in him.

Over time, his words become our character. We have enough faith in him that his words become a part of us. What he taught could now describe our character. His teachings become the core of who we are. His words abide in us.

If this happens, our will matches his. His will becomes ours. When this happens, we are aligned to the point that we will not ask anything that doesn't match his will. When our wills match enough, anything we ask will be "done unto" us. For me, this is a long way off.

15:10-11

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love." Some synonyms to consider:

• Accept.

• Live with.

• Support.

• Obey.

• Hold to.

• Act in accordance with.

• Uphold.

• Accept.

• Respect.

When I read this verse, I imagine that abiding in God's love is to be surrounded by it. I think of his loving arms around me. I live inside of his love. It's the definition of happiness.

In verse 11, we see this. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." If we align ourselves with God's commandments, we will literally live each day surrounded by God's love. We will feel it. It's a good feeling. That sounds pretty good to me.

15:15

This is an interesting verse. "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." It's interesting that the distinction between being servants and friends is knowledge.

We know the reasons behind what we're asked to do. We are not meant to blindly serve and obey. Jesus not only taught us what to do but WHY we should do it. As we understand the why, we can progress beyond being simple robots programmed to be obedient. The goal of this entire plan is to become like our Heavenly Father. With that in mind, Jesus has explained what and how - but also WHY.

15:16

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." This is an important point that Jesus is making. It's a key distinction between us and other churches.

The church of Jesus Christ is not meant to be one where members aspire to be in certain positions. Our leaders don't self-select. I can't choose to be a leader. I have to be chosen by someone else - I cannot choose myself. Humans have way too much pride to be able to have it any other way. Imagine large groups of men and women all vying for the same position! It would get ugly very quickly.

In our church, we are chosen for any position. This purifies our motivations. The purpose of any calling isn't to establish prominence among individuals. It is to get the work done (bring forth fruit).

There will not be a report card at the end of this that lists all of the positions we have had in the Church. All that matters is that we produce fruit wherever we are. The goal is to have a lasting impact on others. In other words, our "fruit should remain." Our Church positions matter only in that we strive to be valiant in whatever we're asked to do.

15:18-20

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Jesus was rejected by those who led the people. Of course there were many, especially those who he healed, who loved him. But the influencers hated him. He was our Savior and the creator of the universe and the powerful people disliked him.

We cannot expect differently. “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” We can’t expect for us to be loved when Jesus was hated - if we’re saying and doing the same types of things.

The point is in verse 19. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” If we are popular with the masses, there is likely a problem. To be worldly popular is to be worldly.

Currently, if you are salacious or controversial or sexual or pornographic or extreme, you can be very popular. You will definitely be noticed and even celebrated.

If you are publicly righteous, you will definitely be ignored and likely persecuted. Posting the words of Christ is not a good way to get “liked.” For example, if I post a funny picture on Facebook, I get tons of likes and comments. If I post a link to this blog, I’m lucky if 2-3 people notice. It’s interesting.

Persecution will increase. In fact, it’s happening now. Waiting until marriage to have sex is derided. Not accepting gay marriage if often punished. Not celebrating transgender operations is labeled bigoted. Not drinking alcohol is considered an extreme practice.

I think the persecution is going to get much worse. Only the very valiant will be able to stand firm in their position.

15:22, 24

“If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” The Pharisees were living the good life. They were respected and revered. They lived in luxury. They were socially revered. The idea that they were sinners was not considered. To them, it was if they weren’t sinners at all.

It was Jesus who pulled back the curtain and revealed their iniquity.

I want to consider the phrase that “they had not had sin.” To them, the sin they were committing didn’t exist to them. They weren’t even aware of how gravely they were sinning. The were living comfortably in their consciences. There was no discomfort in them because of their ignorance.

How many of us are in this same position. I heard recently something in a movie or tv show. The line was something like, “If you make the cell comfortable enough, a person doesn’t even know that they are in prison.” How many of us are living very happy, pleasant lives and don’t even know the level of sin that we are committing? It’s something that we should all consider.

Thankfully, Jesus exposed their sin. “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” Of course, they didn’t appreciate being exposed. But, it gave them an opportunity to repent. Think of Alma who was one of King Noah’s priests. He was living in a very comfortable jail cell and he didn’t even know it. Abinadi said what no one else had the courage to say. Even though it was likely hard for Alma to realize his sinful state, in the long run, it was better for him

16:2-3

"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." This is the big lie that is happening in the world. People will justify wicked deeds because, in their minds, the "ends justify the means."

This justification will help those who have some conscience do bad things. Someone who is self-righteous will believe that it is the right thing to persecute those being truly righteous. The wicked will see their hateful actions as serving the greater good.

When I see people, who consider themselves righteous, yelling obscenities to people attending General Conference, I think of this verse. They believe that they are doing good by persecuting those going to listen and learn about the Lord.

When I see someone being persecuted for saying that marriage is between a husband and a wife, the persecutors are justified by their false belief that they are doing God's work. They sleep at night believing that they are on the right side.

How is this possible? Jesus explains. "And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." They don't truly know God, Jesus and their gospel.

16:7

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." It was definitely a good thing that Jesus left the apostles. He left to do what was necessary to save us. He had to die and be resurrected. That much is certain.

It does sound like Jesus is saying that the presence of the Spirit is an upgrade to having Jesus near them. That doesn't sound right...but is it?

In a way, yes. Jesus could, of course, teach and inspire and correct and heal. But, it wasn't realistic that Jesus be next to them every waking second. They needed their own personal guide - Jesus couldn't physically do that.

We need the constant companion of the Holy Ghost. We needed his ability to comfort us in the moment we need it. We need to have a change of heart that only the Spirit can cause inside of us. We need the immediate affirmation of righteousness and immediate wariness to the danger of sin. Having the companion of the Holy Ghost is how we truly progress inside and out.

I do not know how the Holy Ghost is with each of us simultaneously, but I'm glad it is that way.

16:8-11

"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

• Of sin, because they believe not on me;

• Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

• Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Let's consider these three ways that the Spirit "reproves."

• Sin. We must be convicted of the principle of sin. This is actually changing as we speak. The concept of sin is disappearing. We are now defining sin as something that hurts someone else. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, it's okay. Or, as long as everyone consents, it's okay. There is such a thing as sin. If we don't believe that, we don't view ourselves as sinners. If we don't consider ourselves sinners, we don't think that we need a Savior. This is dangerous.

• Righteousness. There must be an opposite to sin. Someone who doesn't believe in danger of sin likely doesn't believe in the benefits of righteousness. We listened to a woman last night tell us that the purpose of life is to "go with the flow - no stress." There was no mention of righteousness. People are very confused.

• Judgment. We, as mortals, must judge between righteousness and sin. "Thou shall not judge" is not talking about the judgment between sin and righteousness. It is absolutely necessary that we are using the Spirit to judge between evil and good. We all have the capacity to make that judgment.

16:13

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." I love the idea of the Spirit guiding us.

I also love the idea that the Spirit doesn't care one bit about his own position or opinion or prestige. He doesn't ever speak of himself. He simply guides us to truth.

Our tour guide in Israel spent much of his time talking about himself and his family. It was a little interesting but we were mainly interested in learning about Jerusalem. We were interested in Jesus and where he was during the events of the Bible. I wish our tour guide was more like the Spirit and not spend time speaking of himself.

The Spirit has no ego. He only cares about truth and guiding us where our testimonies of the Savior will grow.

16:32

"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." Jesus was in constant contact with God throughout his ministry. He was never truly alone - even when his apostles deserted him.

This is why I think it was such a shock for Jesus to feel the presence of his Father withdraw on the cross. Jesus had to experience what that was like but it appears he didn't fully understand how bad/different that would feel. When he said, "why hast thou forsaken me," he was suffering from his Father leaving his presence.

I love that Jesus depended so much on his Father. I love the relationship they had - even with the presence of the veil. It's heartwarming to consider the interactions that they enjoyed while Jesus was fulfilling his mission.

16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." I LOVE THIS VERSE! Jesus wants us to have peace. Peace can be independent of our circumstances.

The world doesn't offer peace. It never was meant to. It was meant to provide tribulation. Awful things can happen to each of us in this world.

But, we can "be of good cheer" because Jesus has "overcome the world." Nothing of this world will endure beyond the resurrection. Jesus has already won this battle. If we keep this in mind, we can feel peace regardless of the terrible things that happen to us.