Book of Mormon, D & C, Pearl of Great Price

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. (2 Nephi 25)

This is one of my favorite scriptures. It could be a one-sentence summary of the church’s purpose. Although it is often erroneously called the Mormon Church, the Church is rightfully named “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Notice that the Savior’s name is right in the center of the name of the church, signifying the place of the Savior in the Church itself.

The Book of Mormon makes it clear that the church, to be the Savior’s Church, must be named after Him:

“And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” (3 Nephi 27:6-10, Book of Mormon)”

(This is discussed in more detail in an earlier article: What Should Jesus’ Church Be Named?”)

The Church’s history begins with what is commonly known as the First Vision, when God and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith. So, from the first moments of the church’s story, the Savior has been there. Pictures of the Savior adorn the church buildings and even the youngest children are taught to love Jesus. In their classes, young voices sing, “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” and “If the Savior Stood Beside Me.” It’s long been said that if you want a child to believe something, you must teach it to him at a very young age, and so our littlest children are taught to love, honor, and serve the Savior.

If you really want to know what the “Mormons” think of Christ, ask a Mormon. Visit “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” and begin getting acquainted with the Savior the Mormons know and love.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (2 Nephi 19 and Isaiah 9)

There have been many who didn’t recognize the Savior as the Savior or believe He did what He came to do because, although He was called the Prince of Peace, there has seldom been peace on earth, and certainly none today in his homeland. Those who deny the Savior his glory for this reason misunderstand what He promised. He wasn’t a politician, working to bring a political peace through treaties and negotiations. What He promised us was a spiritual peace if we live the gospel.

Certainly, if everyone chose to follow the Savior, there would be the other kind of peace. Who can love God and start a war against another righteous neighbor, or rob, or abuse? However, we’re not required to wait for the entire world to be converted in order to find the peace the Savior has promised us.

Let’s look at what the Savior Himself said on the subject of peace to understand what He meant.

“34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10, King James version of the Bible.)

Satan doesn’t want us to have peace, nor does he want us to find the gospel. He places many stumbling blocks in our way, and tries to distract us through the taunting of the world. This can temporarily disturb our peace. Even our own personal search for truth can disrupt what we once thought was peace, as we battle past Satan’s interference and make the eternally critical decision to covenant with God to live according to His will.

The Savior explained that His peace was not what we often think of as peace:

27 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. (John 14)

Notice that He doesn’t promise that we will never be troubled or afraid, only that we don’t have to be troubled or afraid. Fear is a choice. The Savior promised to fill our hearts with a personal peace, a gift just for us from Him, but only if we accept the gift and make the choice to trust Him completely.

By doing so, we can have the peace the Savior promised us. He truly is a Prince of Peace, but of a personal peace that comes from knowing you’re doing God’s will and living as God and the Savior want you to live, that you’re in His most capable hands, and therefore safe from danger—not worldly danger, but eternal and spiritual danger.