Excerpts from remarks given during a sacrament meeting in Houston, Texas, on September 3, 2017.
My dear brothers and sisters, what a blessing to be here. My heart is melting just to see your smiles. Last Friday the Presiding Bishopric was meeting with the First Presidency and we shared an update on the events of Texas, the flooding in Texas, and the rescue efforts and recovery efforts that were ongoing. And before we even started the President said, "Well, many people will tell you that it's too early to go, that the water is still there, that it has not receded yet, that it may unsafe or anything. But we feel we need to go now, this weekend, because we need to take our love to the brethren and the sisters of the Church." And here is President Uchtdorf of the First Presidency of the Church here with us. What a blessing that is.
My favorite hymn to play has always been "Master, the Tempest Is Raging." Well, I love the melody, but more than the melody I love the story of Jesus on that boat, and the storm rose and we all know what He was doing. He was exhausted after a long day of preaching the gospel and ministering to people, and He was sleeping on the pillow. And His disciples were fearful because they saw that the boat was going to sink in the water. And they awoke Him and He raised and said, "Peace, be still." And we all know what happened then, and the tempest was gone and there was a great calm. Well, as I open my book today, thinking of all of you, thinking of all of those of you who had flooding in their homes, all those of you who will be working hard for the next days and weeks helping others, helping your neighbor, I would like to read verse three of "Master, the Tempest Is Raging." It might be a good allegory of what's happening today.
Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven's within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore."
And then of course:
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.
I know Jesus is our Master; He's able to say “Peace, be still,” and peace will be in our lives. We look forward to the future with confidence, although the circumstances are difficult. And we know that we'll be blessed as we worship, as we pray to our God, and as we go forward and help our neighbor who is in need. Of this I testify and share with you my love and appreciation for who you are and for your beautiful shining smiles this morning. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Also see: Excerpts of Remarks Given in Houston by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Related story: President Uchtdorf Visits Texas in Hurricane Harvey Aftermath