Jesus Christ IS the Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.  His peace is present in the temple, His Holy House. I know it because I’ve felt it. We're blessed with temples that dot the earth, filling the world with the peace of our Savior. I am grateful for the peace and joy I felt this week as I attended the Bountiful Temple. This temple is currently getting a few repairs to become stronger and leak proof. Inside the temple we too can be made stronger, repair our follies, restore peace, and fortify our leaks and weaknesses. Which is all possible because of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ who atoned, suffered, and died to make us better.

Bountiful, Utah Temple under repairs - April 2017

Recently I was reminded of another time I felt immense peace while at the temple.  It was when my grandmother died about 16 years ago.  I was sorrowful.  While she was older, it was still an unexpected death.  A day or two after her death, I had a strong feeling to go to the temple.  I needed some peace and if there is anywhere heavenly on earth, it is at the temple.  With a prayer in my heart, I went knowing I would feel better but was hopeful that I might feel my grandmother close to me too. 

My grandmother has always been an example to look to of temple service.  She and my grandpa served in the Manti Temple for years. Grandma also worked at Beehive Clothing (which is now the Church Distribution Center) where the temple garment and temple clothes could be purchased.  I was blessed to learn the importance of these sacred clothing items from both my mother and my grandmother.  Grandma personally made for me part of my temple clothing.  It’s awesome, because I always have a little bit of her with me whenever I go the temple. That day at the temple 16 years ago, the importance of this temple clothing gift was realized.  Peace and joy filled my soul as I recognized this tender mercy.

Another special thing that happened that day at the temple was one of the temple workers during the session I was attending looked so much like my grandma.  Even a few mannerisms were like grandma’s.  It was incredibly wonderful!  This tender mercy added to the peace I so desired.  In the Lord’s house, He was showing me that He was aware of my heartache.  He was making me stronger.  The Prince of Peace was helping to fortify me and help with my weeping and my own leaking. 

Because of Jesus Christ faithfully completing His life’s mission, my grandmother lives and will one day be resurrected and I will see her again. I know that.  I too will have this miraculous gift.  All of us will.  Oh, it is wonderful!  Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace!  He brings and restores peace to my life all the time. 

This Easter season I give thanks and praise to Jesus Christ!  As I have thought about Him and the Prince of Peace campaign, I was thinking there is no Easter music that plays over the radio for weeks like there is during Christmas time. To me, the world doesn’t seem to honor Jesus Christ or praise Him much during Easter.  It’s sad.  President Hinckley once said “There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.” I decided a few weeks ago to create playlist of Easter Music, music about the Savior.  It has been perfect for me and has added to my devotion to Jesus Christ and increased my understanding and awe of His atonement so much.  Worthy music helps me feel the spirit, understand and learn truth; it fills my soul with goodness and brings peace to my life. 

In my scripture reading this morning, verses that I have read numerous times before, today this particular verse seemed to jump off the page: "To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world." (D&C 46:13) I have been blessed with this gift!! I know He is God's Son!! Jesus Christ came to earth to do Heavenly Father's will. Jesus had a divine mission. He was crucified, but has resurrected, and lives! He lovingly, patiently, faithfully, and miraculously fulfilled that mission for you and me. Because of Jesus Christ, every one of us can be forgiven of our mistakes, have peace in our lives, be redeemed from sin, become stronger in our weaknesses, and one day have resurrected bodies like Jesus and be joined again with loved ones. Jesus Christ IS our Savior and Redeemer! 

How does Jesus Christ bring peace to my life?  He does so as I come unto Him through good music, being in His temple, praying with faith, reading His words in the scriptures, seeing His tender mercies in my life, and recognizing His sacrifice and wondrous gift of the atonement and resurrection.  All of this brings peace to my life.  Jesus Christ IS the Prince of Peace.  

Who is Jesus Christ?  Here is a 60-second video that will tell you about this miraculous man. To know learn more about the Prince of Peace, you can at mormon.org.  Happy Easter!