The Peacegiver is one of the most insightful books I have read in mending relationships! The Peacegiver is a story of a couple whose marriage is on the rocks and how, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, relationships may be healed. It is a study of forgiveness and how to practice and implement this most important redeeming practice in developing our “better-selves”.
My ten favorite quotes from the Peacegiver by James Ferrell, (2004) are as follows:
Quotes cited from “The Peacegiver” follow this format: (Page Number)
I Require the Heart
1. There are ways to be right on the surface and entirely mistaken beneath. That was what the Savior announced to the world. ‘The law, alone, cannot save you,’ he said. ‘I require the heart.’ ∼ Grandpa (29)
Comment: Don’t just do unto others as you would have them do unto you… your heart must be in it for “righteous” reasons without expectations of reciprocity.
Man-up
2. “I’m afraid I’m nowhere near the man you were, Grandpa.” “And I’m afraid you are almost exactly the man I was…” said Grandpa. ∼ Rick, Grandpa (32)
Comment: I know that I am nowhere near the man that my father and grandfathers were, and most likely never will be in this lifetime!
Mistreatment by Others
3. Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends on how we view those who mistreat us. ∼ Grandpa (33)
Comment: A powerful and formative statement about the importance of forgiving those who knowingly and unknowingly offend us!
Sinful Hearts
4. We sin when our hearts are sinful, no matter what we do on the surface. The law and the prophets hang on the two great commandments of loving God and others because if our hearts fail to love, neither the law nor the prophets, nor anything else–including outward ‘righteousness’–can save us. ∼ Grandpa (51)
Comment: Again, an insightful thought on the importance of “righteous” intentions when dealing with and relating to those with whom we interact.
Forgiveness
5. Abigail asked for forgiveness not because she needed to be forgiven but because David needed to forgive. ∼ Grandpa (64)
Comment: What great insight Abigail has with respect to the atonement and the importance of forgiveness. I believe that forgiveness is one of the most important attributes we can develop and practice in this life… it is also one of the most difficult to initiate and master; at least for me.
The Atonement
6. “When we withhold forgiveness from others,” Grandpa continued, “we are in effect saying that the atonement alone was insufficient to pay for this sin. We are holding out for more. We are finding fault with the Lord’s offering. We are in essence demanding that the Lord repent of an insufficient atonement. So when we fail to forgive another, it is as if we are failing to forgive the Lord–who, as you already rightly said, needs no forgiveness.” ∼ Grandpa (66)
Comment: Interesting, I had never considered this aspect of forgiveness before… what an enlightened idea!
Love and Devotion
7. But what’s false is this idea that you or I deserve that love and devotion–that we are somehow entitled to it. The truth is that there is only one thing we truly deserve, and that’s to be sent to hell–you, Carol, me, Jonah, Nineveh, all of us. Love and salvation are gifts. How grateful we should be to receive them in any measure! ∼ Grandpa (96)
Comment: I have come to realize–as I get older and seemingly wiser–that we should expect nothing from anyone… especially when exercising love towards others. Anything we get from others, including God, should be received with gratitude in our hearts and grace towards the person who bestowed the gift.
Lying Vanities
8. … ‘righteousness’ is simply a humble understanding of how unrighteous one is, coupled with a deep commitment to being better. The truth leaves no room for feelings of superiority. Such feelings are nothing but lying vanities. ∼ Grandpa (98)
Comment: This truth and attitude of humility, in our current society, is hard to accept and practice. But, it is necessary for our spiritual progression.
Mercy
9. Mercy can be extended only to those who are willing to extend it themselves. ∼ Grandpa (106)
Comment: This idea also includes forgiveness. For example, One not only needs forgiveness from God and the person offended, but one also needs to forgive himself/herself for offenses committed. I know this is true and struggle with it in my life on a daily basis.
Life is a Blessing
10. The difficulty of life itself is a blessing! He realized. For it initiates a desire within us to come to the Lord–a yearning we can feel even when we are blinded by sin! ∼ Rick (162)
Comment: I very much-needed this reminder… Consequently, I need to take action more often when the Spirit prompts me to get on my knees and ask for forgiveness.
Works Cited
Images – Post image: “Face of Jesus 139” by Waiting for the Word is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Quotes – Ferrell, J. (2004). The Peacegiver. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company.
