Missionaries Publish Peace

By Judy Edwards

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace! (Mosiah 15:16).

Did you know that missionaries publish peace? To publish peace means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

The Book of Mormon records that years ago the prophet Abinadi stood in the court of wicked King Noah and his priests. With courage and power, Abinadi bore his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also gave thanks for all those who had published peace, or shared the gospel with others, for the missionaries who were still publishing peace, and for missionaries who would share the gospel message in the future. (See Mosiah 12:17–15:18.)

Alma was in the court of King Noah that day. As he listened to Abinadi’s words, he was blessed with a testimony of Jesus Christ. Becoming a missionary himself, he taught the words he had heard Abinadi speak. Thus Alma published peace to as many people as would listen.

Many other good men and women throughout the history of the world have shared their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ and published peace. We learn of four more of them in Mosiah 27: 34–37: “Their names were Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni; these were the names of the sons of Mosiah.

“And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, … explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.

“And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.

“And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.”

You may know missionaries who are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ—who are publishing peace all over the world—now. Just as Abinadi expressed so many years ago, we are grateful for them!

You, too, can publish peace by sharing your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like Abinadi and Alma, like Ammon and Aaron and Omner and Himni, and like those from your family and your ward or branch, you can share the message of the gospel that comes from “the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord” (Mosiah 15:18).

Instructions

Make missionary finger puppets by coloring those on page 45. Then, on a separate piece of paper, draw and label more finger puppets to represent other missionaries you know and love—the missionaries who brought the gospel to your family; brothers, sisters, grandparents, or other relatives or friends who have served or are serving as missionaries—and a finger puppet of yourself! Cut out each puppet, form the label into a circle to fit your finger, and tape closed. Place the puppets on your fingers and tell about these missionaries who publish peace.

Alma; Ammon; Aaron; Omner; Himni; Abinadi
(Illustrated by Jerry Harston.)

Sharing Time Ideas

Help each child make an “I Can Publish Peace” page for his or her Book of Peace (see Sharing Time Idea #3, Friend, January 1994, page 44). On it, the child can list and draw things he or she can do or say to help share the gospel message. Examples: “I can invite a friend to church.” “I can share a Book of Mormon with a neighbor.” “I can set a good example by obeying the commandments.” “I can be kind to everyone.” “I can learn the Articles of Faith and recite them to others.” “I can bear my testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Involve children in a missionary discussion. (See Primary Sharing Time Resource Manual, page 86.)
Share scripture missionary stories with children in them, such as the little maid of Israel (see 2 Kgs. 5:1–4), and Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (see Dan. 1). Also involve children with Friend and Primary lesson manual stories of contemporary children doing missionary work.
Play a “Name That Missionary Tune” or “Fill in the Missing Word” game, using missionary songs. (See Children’s Songbook Topics index—Missionary Work.)
Sing “The Things I Do” (Children’s Songbook, page 170). Have the children look up the scriptures listed with it (1 Tim. 4:12; Prov. 20:11) and discuss what they can do to share the gospel. Help each child make a missionary name tag that includes the child’s name and says, “I Can Publish Peace.”