Moroni 10:22

And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.

God gives us afflictions, but he does not give us despair. Trials are mandatory but misery is optional. Righteousness brings peace even in the midst of hard times. Sin brings sorrow even in the best of times. We cannot choose our consequences in spite of our actions, but rather, we choose our consequences by our actions.

Mormon 9:3

Then will ye longer deny the Christ, or can ye behold the Lamb of God? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?

Our conscience makes us conscious of our guilt; but it also makes of conscious of the good we do. The light of Christ tells us not only what not to do but also what to do, both good and evil, things to avoid and things to embrace. Guilt is signal that we have done wrong. Peace is the signal that we have done right.

4 Nephi 1:15

And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

Where love of self or of wealth abides, peace is superficial at best and is short-lived. Pride destroys peace. Where the love of God abides in the heart of the people, peace prevails. The love of God is the only program for peace on earth.

3 Nephi 22:10

For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

God's kindness is more permanent and everlasting than the mountains. Though time and weather can erode even the mightiest mountain range, nothing can erode God's love for us.

Helaman 5:47

Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.

Faith in Christ brings peace. We cannot be distraught by the calamities of the world if we believe Christ has overcome the world. We cannot despair of life of we believe Jesus is the Life. Our lives cannot seem too dark if we believe Jesus is the Light. Despite the trials, Christ has promised to not leave us comfortless.

Helaman 3:20

Nevertheless Helaman did fill the judgment-seat with justice and equity; yea, he did observe to keep the statutes, and the judgments, and the commandments of God; and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually; and he did walk after the ways of his father, insomuch that he did prosper in the land.

Contention and troubles surrounded Helaman, yet he had personal peace and prosperity. Our attitude and obedience are the source of peace far more than our temporal surroundings.

Alma 48:20

And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four years.

Note that it was during this time of peace that Moroni prepared for war. The times of peace in our lives are not the time to slack off. They are opportunities to gather strength and prepare. Peace in this life does not last forever. Only peace in the next life is enduring. This life is a time of testing, and another test is always around the corner.

Alma 39:15

And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.

Alma was certain that Christ would come. He would "surely come." Nothing would stop him or hinder him in his mission to save the world from death and all who would repent from hell. Christ would bring the happiest of news -- that we would not be left to our mortal fate and natural weaknesses without help. He would surely come, without fail, and bring ransom, rescue, deliverance and salvation with him. For those who were discouraged he would bring hope. For those who were in despair he would bring renewal. For those who had failed he would bring another chance. For those who sorrowed and grieved he would bring peace and joy. His coming would be the best news and the gladest tidings of all.

Alma 7:27

And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.

The peace Alma promises is a gift from God, for which we qualify through a combination of faith and good works. It comes not from either alone, but from the two attributes working together in us. Faith moves us to good works, and good works builds our faith. With both oars in the water we row a straight course toward God.

Alma 1:28

And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.

Peace is not the absence of trouble. It is attitude with which we meet our troubles. It is trusting in God and exercising faith despite our circumstances.  It is being grateful in all things, even the things we don't like.

Mosiah 23:28

Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them, and their wives, and their children.

Tonight I share not my own words but those of Elder David A. Bednar from April 2015:

"Notice Alma did not hush the people’s fears. Rather, Alma counseled the believers to remember the Lord and the deliverance only He could bestow (see 2 Nephi 2:8). And knowledge of the Savior’s protecting watchcare enabled the people to hush their own fears.

"Correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord empower us to hush our fears because Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace. He declared, 'Learn of me, and listen to my words walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me' (D&C 19:23).

"The Master also explained, 'He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come' (D&C 59:23).

"Trust and confidence in Christ and a ready reliance on His merits, mercy, and grace lead to hope, through His Atonement, in the Resurrection and eternal life (see Moroni 7:41). Such faith and hope invite into our lives the sweet peace of conscience for which we all yearn. The power of the Atonement makes repentance possible and quells the despair caused by sin. It also strengthens us to see, do, and become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. Truly, one of the great blessings of devoted discipleship is 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding' (Philippians 4:7).

"The peace Christ gives allows us to view mortality through the precious perspective of eternity and supplies a spiritual settledness (see Colossians 1:23) that helps us maintain a consistent focus on our heavenly destination. Thus, we can be blessed to hush our fears because His doctrine provides purpose and direction in all aspects of our lives. His ordinances and covenants fortify and comfort in times both good and bad. And His priesthood authority gives assurance that the things that matter most can endure both in time and in eternity.

"But can we hush the fears that so easily and frequently beset us in our contemporary world? The answer to this question is an unequivocal yes. Three basic principles are central to receiving this blessing in our lives: (1) look to Christ, (2) build upon the foundation of Christ, and (3) press forward with faith in Christ."

Second Nephi 30:15

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

The Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of Zion are favorite themes of prophecy in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Zion will surely be a unique place. The meek and the mighty will dwell side by side in peace and security. The rest of the earth may not be quite so peaceful, but in Zion peace shall reign. The implication in this verse is that when we know God, we will live peacefully. Or taken the other way, when we live peacefully, we will come to know God. It is hard to live in peace today in the noisy, busy, competitive, ruthless world. But when Christ comes, he will put such things down. We will find it easier to be peaceful when all around us is peace. And in peace, we will come to know God.