Peace On Earth

 After the events of last week, I was feeling anything but peace. I was full of sorrow and worry. Last week a 20 year old man murdered his mother and then went to an elementary school where he shot and killed 20 children and 6 teachers/staff. The entire nation is heart-broken. I have felt very heavy since hearing of these events. 
At the end of our sacrament service on Sunday, we sang "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".

The peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit came over me and I knew that God is in control ~ that he loves me, the victims, their families, and all of His children. I knew that evil will not prevail.  

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)