There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of

"There is need occasionally to leave the noise and the tumult of the world and step within the walls of a sacred house of God, there to feel His Spirit in an environment of holiness and peace." These words, spoken by Gordon B. Hinckley, beckon us to retreat from the chaos and distractions of the world and find solace in the sacred and holy. In a world that often pulls us in a thousand directions—filled with the noise of our concerns, the demands of life, and the constant rush of daily living—Hinckley reminds us that there is profound wisdom in stepping away from it all and entering a space of stillness and peace, where we can reconnect with the divine. A sacred house—a temple, a place of worship—is not simply a building but a sanctuary for the soul, a place where the Spirit of God can speak to us in the quiet and holiness of the space.

In the ancient world, the concept of stepping away from the tumult of everyday life to commune with the divine was common across cultures. Consider the sacred temples of Greece, where worshippers would go to seek favor from the gods. These temples were places of not just rituals, but of profound spiritual reflection. The oracle of Delphi, where one could seek the guidance of the god Apollo, was such a space. People from across the ancient world traveled to Delphi, leaving their lives behind, to enter the temple and receive the divine wisdom that might illuminate their paths. It was a sacred space that offered peace and clarity amidst the noise of the world. Just as Hinckley encourages us to find time to retreat from life's distractions, the ancient worshippers understood the value of finding a place of holiness to reconnect with the divine.

Likewise, in the story of Moses and his journey up Mount Sinai, we see the power of retreating to a sacred space. Moses went alone to the mountaintop to meet with God, leaving behind the noise and complaints of the Israelites. There, in solitude and silence, he received the Ten Commandments, a moment of divine revelation that shaped the future of his people. This retreat into a sacred space allowed Moses to hear the voice of God clearly, without the distractions of the world. The mountain, like the temples of old, became a place of clarity, where the soul could be renewed and filled with divine peace. Hinckley’s words are reminiscent of this ancient truth: in the midst of life's noise, there are moments when we must leave it all behind to find peace in the presence of the divine.

We can also look to the story of Jesus Christ, who, even in the midst of his ministry, sought out moments of solitude and retreat. The Gospels tell us that Jesus often went to the mountains or to quiet places to pray and commune with His Father. One such moment was when He withdrew to the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. There, in solitude and anguish, He prayed deeply, seeking peace and strength before the great trial He would face. This act of stepping away from the noise of the world, even for a brief moment, allowed Him to center Himself and receive the divine peace He needed to continue His mission. The example of Jesus underscores the timeless importance of seeking sacred moments, not just in the face of crisis, but as a regular practice to remain connected to the divine.

In modern times, we see this same need for sacred retreat. In the rush of our daily lives—constantly moving from one task to the next, often overwhelmed by the demands of work, family, and the digital world—it can be easy to lose touch with the peace that comes from stepping into a space of holiness. Hinckley’s reminder to step into the walls of a sacred place is as relevant today as it was in the ancient world. For some, this may be a church, for others a quiet place in nature, or even a moment of silent prayer at home. In these sacred spaces, we are offered the opportunity to reconnect with what is divine, to quiet the tumult within our own hearts, and to find peace that transcends the chaos of the world.

The lesson here is one of balance and spiritual renewal. Life’s chaos is unavoidable; we must engage with the world, fulfill our duties, and meet our responsibilities. But in the midst of it all, there must be a place—a sacred space—where we can go to recharge, refocus, and find peace. Whether that is through time spent in prayer, reflection, or in quiet moments of meditation, we must carve out space in our lives to reconnect with our spiritual selves. Like the great figures of history, we must prioritize the sacred, the divine, and the holy to keep our minds and hearts grounded in peace.

In your own life, find those sacred moments and spaces where you can step away from the distractions of the world. Create time for reflection, for moments of stillness where you can listen for that still, small voice. Hinckley’s call to retreat to a sacred house is not just about physical spaces; it is about cultivating a mindset of peace and divine connection in the midst of life’s demands. Seek out those moments of quiet, and know that in doing so, you are not only renewing your connection with the divine but also strengthening your ability to face the challenges of the world with renewed strength and clarity. Just as the ancients did, we too must find moments of holiness amidst the tumult, allowing those sacred moments to guide us toward lasting peace.