submission

I was reading this article the other night, entitled The Lord’s Pattern for Peace, from the Ensign magazine. Elder Golden says, "Some years ago I was privileged to know a brother who reflected the change that only the Lord can effect in the heart and behavior of a man. Before this change he was not at ease or at peace with himself…His appearance was rough, as was his language. Yet over the decades I was able to detect small, almost imperceptible changes in him. Many of his other associates also witnessed a remarkable transformation and peace that 'distill[ed] upon [his] soul as the dews from heaven' (D&C 121:45) as he willingly submitted to the Lord in all things."

When I read that, I wondered to myself, What was it that caused this man to feel discomfort? Was it his rough appearance, his course language? Or was it that he didn’t feel like the path of his life was in harmony with the Lord’s plan? The changes he experienced came as a result of his willingness to "submit to the Lord in all things."

Being attracted to the same gender often causes feelings of discomfort, or a lack of peace. We often wonder which way to turn. Do I follow my heart—that really, really wants love and companionship that’s readily available to me by pursuing a relationship with another girl? Do I consign myself to celibacy, because I believe the former choice is wrong? Who do I listen to?

There are many voices out there. There are plenty of people who will tell you what they think you should do. Many of them seem good and trustworthy. And maybe they are. But as members of the Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), we have some more reliable resources. Consider this scripture: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19).

Rachel is my “natural man.” She does what she wants to do. She pursues whatever she feels like pursuing on a given day. So does most of the world. Submitting to the will of the Lord doesn’t seem like a popular, or even a comfortable thing to do. Often, the path He wants us to follow isn’t the one we want to take. But, according to the scriptures, it’s the path that leads to peace. Do I really want that kind of peace, knowing my life has a heavenly stamp of approval? Or am I willing to settle for temporary happiness? Because that’s available to me wherever I turn.

I ask myself that question every day. What is it that I want the most? Happiness abounds. I can find happiness in a good bar of chocolate. But if I really want peace, I know what I need to do.