"Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled"

During the Last Supper the Savior presided over the Passover feast, introduced the Sacrament, washed His disciples’ feet, and taught the disciples some important doctrines. He knew what was about to happen. He knew that most of them loved Him dearly, and would be devastated when He was gone. He knew that they would be persecuted and encounter much opposition. He knew that dark days were ahead for all of them. And yet part of His advice to them was: “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1).

In the world we see so many people getting vexed and stressed and angry over so many things—many of them very small issues. Sometimes we even begin to think there is no other alternative than to experience these negative feelings. But in the dire circumstance of the death of the Savior of the world, His command to those who loved Him and who have served Him is to not be troubled over His death and what would come.

Not only do we not have to experience a troubled heart, we are commanded not to. Falling into the Pit of Illusion doesn’t have to be part of life. Throughout this same discourse, the Savior reminds us that He is Truth and that the Spirit He will send is also Truth. When we turn to Christ we turn to Truth. We live in Truth and avoid the Pit of Illusion with all its vexation, stress and anger.

At the end of John 14, the Savior repeats the command and adds, “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” (27).

Accepting the fact that we don’t have to be vexed and troubled is the first step to Living in Truth.