A Home of Peace Is Filled With What God Does
There was “no contention among all the people” and “mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.”
When we walk this way, contention loses its power, miracles become normal, hearts soften, relationships heal, and God’s presence settles on the home.
President Harold B. Lee gave a clear witness of this divine pattern in his message The Iron Rod:
“If you will hold fast to the word of God, you will never go astray.”
His testimony reinforces the truth that peace is not something we manufacture. It is something God gives when we create the conditions for His Spirit to dwell with us.
"And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
"And it came to pass that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus."
We build a home of peace by letting 4 Nephi 1:12–13 describe the spiritual habits and covenant posture that create peace in any community—including our homes. The verse shows four movements: what we stop, what we start, what we continue, and what God does among us when we walk this way.
A Home of Peace Begins With What We Stop
“They did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses…”
This is the moment when the people release an old pattern so a new life in Christ can take root. For us, peace begins when we stop walking in ways that no longer belong in a Christ‑centered home.
▪︎ Performances
"And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses."
Teaches that performances were outward requirements pointing to Christ. We build peace when we stop living by empty motions and choose sincerity over appearance.
▪︎ Ordinances
Scriptures taken from the Topical Guide
These supporting scriptures show that ordinances are about covenant order, divine power, and walking in God’s ways. We build peace when our home honors God’s order—consistency, integrity, and covenant loyalty.
Most poignant scriptures
“Do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances.”
“They have… changed the ordinance.”
“Walking in all the commandments and
ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
“Keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.”
“In the ordinances thereof, the power of
godliness is manifest.”
“Our covenant—that we will walk in all the
ordinances.”
“All things were confirmed unto Adam, by an
holy ordinance.”
“The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel…”
Why these eight
They show that ordinances are God’s way of establishing covenant order, divine power, and a stable pattern of discipleship. They reveal that:
▪︎ God calls us to walk in His ordinances, not
▪︎ Peace collapses when ordinances are
changed, neglected, or replaced (Isa. 24:5).
▪︎ Ordinances preserve divine patterns across
generations (1 Cor. 11:2).
▪︎ Ordinances are channels through which the
power of godliness is manifest (D&C 84:20).
▪︎ Ordinances anchor us in covenant identity
(D&C 136:4).
▪︎ Ordinances confirm God’s promises and
stabilize our walk (Moses 5:59).
▪︎ Ordinances form the foundation of the
Gospel life (A of F 1:4).
In 4 Nephi 1:12–13, the people stopped walking after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses and instead walked in Christ’s commandments, which fulfilled and elevated all ordinances. Because they honored God’s covenant order, there was no contention and mighty miracles were wrought among them.
These scriptures show why: peace always follows God’s order.
Principle
We build a home of peace when we honor God’s covenant order—walking in His ordinances with consistency, integrity, and loyalty—so His power can rest upon us and shape our life together.
▪︎ Law — The law pointed to Christ
"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings."
"And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
"And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
"Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
"Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled.
"And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come.
"For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me."
Peace grows when we stop living by fear, pressure, or perfectionism and instead let Christ fulfill the law in us.
Principle:
Peace begins when we stop walking in old patterns and let Christ reshape our habits, expectations, and relationships.
Law of Moses: The Law Pointed to Christ
Scriptures taken from the Topical Guide
Most poignant scriptures
“We keep the law of Moses, it pointing our
souls to him.”
“We keep the law of Moses… it pointing our
souls to him; and for this intent we keep the
law of Moses.”
“Thus the law of Moses was fulfilled…
pointing to that great and last sacrifice.”
Why these three
They show the true purpose of the law of Moses: to point every soul to Christ, the great and last sacrifice.
▪︎ The law was never the destination—it was a
pointer (2 Ne. 25:25).
▪︎ The law trained Israel’s heart to look
forward to Christ (Jacob 4:5).
▪︎ The law found its completion in His atoning
sacrifice (Alma 34:14).
These verses match the pattern in 4 Nephi 1:12–13: the people stopped walking after the old law because Christ Himself had fulfilled it, and peace followed when they walked in His commandments instead of the old shadows.
Principle
Peace grows when we let the law do what it was designed to do—lead us to Christ—and then allow Him to fulfill it in us, reshaping our habits, expectations, and relationships into His image.
A Home of Peace Is Built by What We Start
“…but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God…”
They replaced old patterns with Christ’s commandments—love, forgiveness, mercy, unity, purity, generosity.
A Home of Peace Is Built by What We Start
— Active discipleship replaces old patterns with Christlike living
Condition: We choose to walk after the commandments of Christ.
“The abundant life, of which Jesus spoke, is not a gift but a conquest. It is the result of unremitting labor, guided by the Spirit of the Lord.”
President Hugh B. Brown,
“The Abundant Life,” April 1965
President Brown teaches that peace, joy, and spiritual abundance do not appear automatically—they grow out of daily, deliberate choices to follow Christ. This perfectly mirrors 4 Nephi 1:12–13, where the people “did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God.”
For us:
▪︎ We choose Christ’s words over our
impulses.
▪︎ We choose reconciliation over resentment.
▪︎ We choose gentleness over harshness.
▪︎ We choose covenant loyalty over
convenience.
▪︎ We choose to build peace by acting, not
waiting.
A peaceful home is not passive. It is the fruit of active discipleship—the daily conquest of choosing Christ.
Principle:
Peace grows when Christ’s commandments become the pattern of our daily interactions.
A Home of Peace Is Sustained by What We Continue
“…continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft…”
These are the rhythms that keep a home spiritually alive.
▪︎ Fasting — show fasting as a way to sanctify our hearts and seek God’s presence. Peace deepens when we fast for clarity, unity, healing, and strength.
"And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls."
"Also, I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth."
▪︎ Prayer — Peace grows when prayer becomes the atmosphere of our home, not an occasional event.
"Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."
"Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
"Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
"And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
🗝 "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed."
▪︎ Meeting together oft — Peace grows when we gather intentionally: to talk, to listen, to worship, to check in, to strengthen one another.
"And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;"
Principle:
Peace is not a moment—it is a rhythm. We build it by returning to God together again and again.
A Home of Peace Is Filled With What God Does
“…and there was no contention among all the people… and there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus.”
When we walk this way:
▪︎ Contention loses its power.
▪︎ Miracles become normal.
▪︎ Hearts soften.
▪︎ Relationships heal.
▪︎ God’s presence settles on the home.
Prophetic Witness — President Harold B. Lee “The Iron Rod” — General Conference, April 1971 Principle:
“The rod of iron, which was seen in vision, is interpreted as the word of God. … If you will hold fast to the word of God, you will never go astray.”
President Harold B. Lee testifies that in a world of confusion and darkness, God Himself provides a sure guide—the iron rod, His word. Those who hold fast to it are preserved from aimlessness, deception, and spiritual danger. Peace, direction, and safety are not self‑generated; they are given by God to those who cling to His revealed word.
▪︎ Contention loses its power when we live by
God’s word instead of our pride.
▪︎ Miracles become normal as we stay on the
covenant path.
▪︎ Hearts soften and relationships heal under
the influence of His Spirit.
▪︎ God’s presence settles on the home when
His word is the rod we actually hold to.
Principle:
Peace is not something we manufacture—it is something God gives when we create the conditions for His Spirit to dwell with us.
The Whole Passage Answered in One Line
We build a home of peace when we stop old patterns, walk in Christ’s commandments, continue in spiritual rhythms, and let God work miracles among us.
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