The Prince of Peace

In many ways, I had an amazing life growing up.  I saw different places, met people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and had many unique and incredible experiences and adventures.  My parents provided us with a lot of opportunities and there are great memories of our time together as a family.  I also have memories of stress, of anger, of fear.  Most of my life was mixed between these two states and then something happened that caused our family to break and my parents divorced.  The divorce was a good thing, especially for my mom. But, that final breaking point left me very hurt and very angry because of what occurred and I didn’t really know how to heal or move on.  Unfortunately, I also took these patterns with me into my married life and this cycle continued.  I knew something was missing, something that I couldn’t find, but desperately wanted and needed.  I found the answer almost a year and half ago from a wonderful church leader while discussing the situation in my family at that time.  He helped me realize that I deserved to have peace in my home and personal peace in my life.  My quest since that time has been to find and establish true peace.

The first step in any quest or journey is to decide your direction.  If I was searching for personal peace, true peace, where did I need to turn?  In his October 2021 talk, “Personal Peace in Challenging Times” Elder Quentin L Cook states “One of the most cherished titles of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is “Prince of Peace.” Ultimately, His kingdom will be established including peace and love…personal peace can be achieved.  It has never been more important to seek personal peace.”  Elder Cook states that all of Christ’s teachings point us in the direction of peace and mentions five particularly important ones. 

1.        First Love God, Live His Commandments, and Forgive Everyone

a.       Loving God is the first great commandment.  He loves us, even when we struggle.  Living the commandments is a life time challenge and commitment.  I know personally that I find myself thinking, well, blew that one again.  And feeling like I’m always starting over in something or another.  But keep repenting and keep going.

b.       Harder still is forgiving. And not just forgiving some people, but forgiving everyone.  Nowhere does it say, forgive everyone, expect that person. Forgiving is hard.  It is painful sometimes. You need to forgive even if you feel like you yourself have not healed from the harm done.   I can tell you from personal experience that holding onto anger and hurt feelings does you no good and an awful lot of harm.  A bitter heart cannot heal and will feel no peace.  To quote one of my daughter’s favorite songs, “Let It Go.” 

2.       Seek the Fruits of the Spirit

a.       In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul lists love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance as fruits of the Spirit.  I will be honest.  I’m not very good at longsuffering, meekness, or temperance.  And I may be too blunt to count gentleness either, but one step at a time.

b.      Elder Cook specifically mentions focusing on the temple as one way to seek the fruits of the Spirit.  There is no where that I have found more personal peace than the temple and I encourage everyone to go as often as you can.  I can also say, that if you have not gone, work towards going.  I promise you, it will be worth it, and you are worth it.  When I was at my lowest point, struggling to come to terms with the past and my own poor choices, my Bishop at the time encouraged me to set my sights on the temple and receiving my Endowment.  After a lot of work, love, and support, I received my Endowment at the Winter Quarters Temple.  I didn’t really understand then, but it was an important step towards true peace.

3.       Exercise Agency to Choose Righteousness

a.       We all have the right to choose which path we take in life.  It is so very easy to make small choices that lead to big consequences.  Chose wisely.  Repent daily. Take the steps needed to truly repent. I promise you that it makes a difference.  Because of what I experienced as a teenager, I spent much of my life feeling I didn’t qualify for repentance.  Again, a wise Bishop took the time to work with me and show me, I have my agency to choose and no one can take that from me.

b.      Elder Cook also reminds us of the beautiful reassurance that “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” I can truly testify there is peace in this sentence.  Have faith in it.  Many people talk about physical ailments and various illnesses, but I have faith and truly believe this covers all injustices done as well.  I know that final healing will come. 

4.       Build Zion in Our Hearts and Homes

a.       Right after my ex husband and I separated, my son and I adopted the motto, A House of Order.  Our goal was to build a home were the Spirit was always welcome, a place where we could always be at peace, and never have to be afraid.  We were able to have regular Scripture Study and more prominently display gospel pictures. We discussed ways to mutually maintain and run the household to encourage the Spirit.

b.      For me, building Zion in my heart and home also means acknowledging and protecting the importance of covenants in my life.  I can honestly tell you temporary companionship does not compare to the beauty and strength of a covenant marriage.  I’ve promised my children that I will not marry outside of the temple again.  And trust me, they will hold me to that.

5.       Follow the Current Admonitions of Our Prophet

a.       President Nelson has given us so much incredible counsel. It is worth the time to study and follow.  I have reread the talk Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our lives almost weekly.  I have found so much strength and wisdom in that one talk alone. And I have learned that when I stop to listen, I find peace.

b.        As an added note, I’d like to mention that he often reminds us how much we are loved.

I am not naturally a peaceful person.  I have a rather explosive temper. I am impatient.  I had a tendency to get in fights as a kid.  A lot.  I have issues with self control at times.  But as I learn more of the Savior and work diligently to follow His commandments and the example He gave us as the Prince of Peace, I know I can become that way.  My son says I have become obsessed with personal peace.  And a little bit at a time, I am learning to become a better, kinder, more peaceful, more joyful person.

In John 14:27, the Savior promised us, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  What a beautiful promise.  Be at peace, don't be troubled, have no fear.  For He truly is, the Prince of Peace.