This phrase from Psalm 23 is so serene and peaceful that it evokes Heavenly Paradise, a place of rest from all our labors here on Earth. Prior to this restful bliss, one assumes that the sheep have been fed the nourishing word of God as found in the scriptures. The scriptures call this state, “the rest of the Lord” and it is usually preceded by repentance and baptism into the fold of the Savior:
“Now these ordinances [repentance and baptism] were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord”[i]
Another prophet expands our understanding of rest:
“Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.”[ii]
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) taught: “The rest of the Lord, where mortals are concerned, is to gain a perfect knowledge of the divinity of the great latter-day work.[iii] [President Joseph F. Smith said,] ‘It means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else; we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive.’ It is ‘rest from the religious turmoil of the world; from the cry that is going forth, here and there—lo, here is Christ; lo, there is Christ.’ … The rest of the Lord, in eternity, is to inherit eternal life, to gain the fulness of the Lord’s glory.”[iv]
Jesus said in his own immortal words this about rest:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”[v]
King Benjamin said:
“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”[vi]
President Russell M. Nelson said:
“You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world, including arrogance, pride, anger, immorality, hatred, greed, jealousy, and fear. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest—meaning relief and peace—even amid your most vexing problems….The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest….Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.”[vii]
[i] Alma 13:16
[ii] Moroni 7:3
[iii] Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (1966), 633.
[iv] ibid
[v] Matthew 11:28–30
[vi] Mosiah 2:41
[vii] https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/47nelson?lang=eng