A former presidency member of the General Young Women's program in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened the two-day BYU-Hawaii Women's Conference by explaining how we can overcome the impediments of knowing God and find peace within ourselves.
Speaking on April 25 to the 2003 women's conference theme, "Be still and know that I am God," {D&C 101:16) Sister Sharon Larson recalled her feelings several years ago while visiting the peace park in Hiroshima, Japan. "Whoever we are, we can be at peace with ourselves and each other, if we will trust ourselves and believe in God," she said.
Sister Larson compared the nature of challenges modern women face with the severe persecutions and hardships early Latter-day Saints suffered in Missouri when Section 101 was revealed.
"Maybe our trials are discouragement, depression and despair -- trials that seem as formidable today as even the pioneer's trials then," Sister Larson added. "These are often experienced in the silence of a broken heart. It's difficult to be still when our trials are screaming out at us. It's hard to be still when we're anesthetized by all that's going on around us."
She stressed it's also difficult to be still when we're surrounded "with all the noise of the world," such as the "constant search for amusement" some people pursue. "Then we wonder why we feel confused, and even depressed at times. We know who it is who doesn't want us to be still."
For example, Sister Larson pointed out that beer commercials on television can be fun to watch, but asked why they don't show the large number of people injured or killed by drunk driving and the impact on their families. "Satan is the father of lies. It is helpful to ask ourselves, where do I stand and what really matters to me."
"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself," she said. "We can know God when we make the choice to trust Him."
Sister Larson told how her little grandson, whose mother brought snacks to church, said, "Tell them we don't need that [sacrament] bread. We brought our own treats. To a three-year-old, the treats from home look much more inviting than broken bread. But what about us? Do we understand that the bread of life and living water will sustain us through every trial, but God will not force feed us?"
Sister Larson explained that all of the things we're expected to do as Latter-day Saints are "vigilant reminders that our Father in Heaven cares what we do. To know the Lord, we have to consciously choose to do what is right."
Reciting the story of the apostle Peter walking toward Jesus on the water, Sister Larson said, "I don't think we doubt that the Lord can help us, but too often we have this question in our minds: Will He help me? I testify that He will. When we're on stormy seas, He will reach out to us immediately."
"It's when we begin doubting and taking our eyes off Him, and start looking around for help from someone else, that we become fearful and vulnerable," she said.
"The best place to be still and know God is in the temple. The blessings that are there, we will not find anywhere else. Go to the temple often. Be still, and know that God is there. Sometimes when I'm pressured and know that I don't have time, that's the time to go," Sister Larson continued.
"When days are harder than you can bear, know that the Lord has had worse days," she said. "Even though He was all alone in Gethsemane, He never intends us to be alone. He will never leave you. He is eternally committed to your happiness. His commandments are not rigid laws to catch us up. They are an instruction sheet."
In conclusion, Sister Larson shared a short video clip which portrays a five-year-old boy playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star somewhat haltingly on the piano. His father then quietly crawls up behind him, places his arms around his son and begins to play a four-hand duet with his son. At that point, the little boy's confidence and playing abilities noticeably improve.
"When we're still and know God, we will never doubt his willingness to encircle us in His arms," Sister Larson said