Sermon: Be still, my soul

Life is unpredictable at times. Curve balls can be thrown when we least expect them. Things can change in an instant.

Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved 4-year-old son died of scarlet fever.

Thinking a vacation would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at home. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship was involved in a terrible collision and sunk. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife Anna survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage the captain of the ship, aware of the tragedy that struck the Spafford family, summoned Horatio to tell him that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred.

As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. He wrote them down, and they have since become a well-beloved hymn:

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know: It is well, it is well with my soul.”

(Lloyd Newell: Sunday, 25 June 2017 “Music and the Spoken Word” broadcast 4,580 Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.)

Psalm 37:5 reads, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him …”

Trust. Sometimes difficult to do. But the words of another hymn couple trust with stillness.

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side; With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav’nly Friend, Thru thorny ways, leads to a joyful end.

(“Be Still, My Soul” Hymn 124, LDS Hymnal 1985, from text by Katharina von Schlegel, music set to the tune of O Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, Copyright, by permission, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, P.A.)

Finding solace, finding peace during turbulent times can seem daunting. But remembering to trust in God, to know Him, to be known by Him, and to trust Him, is something comforting and so very worth our while. He implores us: Be still. Be still and know that I am God.

K.C. Rasmussen represents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.