In President Nelson’s recent address, he reminded us that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and are mindful of us always. Speaking of the difficulties we’re experiencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he assured us that “these unique challenges will pass in due time.” This is a promise of hope, assurance, and grace that the Lord knows our circumstances, hears our petitions, and sees our efforts to serve Him through caring for one another and ministering to our fellow brothers and sisters, even those who are not of our faith.

The Lord also promised “that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.” This is certainly not a ‘time-out’ for us in terms of things that strengthen our faith. Although there have been many adjustments in the church in response to the pandemic, including suspending all church gatherings worldwide, we have been counseled to hold our Sunday service at home. This might be a new setting but we have been prepared by the Lord for this kind of circumstance through the home-centered, church-supported approach to gospel learning. We are counseled to continue furthering His work by learning about His gospel and sharing its good tidings with those who need light and hope in these troubled times. We have been counseled to strengthen our families so that we can be prepared to face more challenges in the future. We should continue building our faith, fortifying what matters most, and increasing our capacity to listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Elder M. Russell Ballard also assured us that “everything is going to be just fine as we turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven and look to Him and to the Savior as the Redeemer of all mankind.” He also emphasized that although we can’t attend the temple, we can find peace in our homes when we kneel, pray and seek for divine guidance. He also encouraged us to make use of technology, if we have access, to increase our knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach out virtually to our families and friends during this time when we are encouraged to stay home and not attend large gatherings.

In these troubled times, we can certainly find peace that the Lord still speaks to living prophets today who make us aware of His promises through them. We can be assured of the promises made by President Nelson and Elder Ballard since we know that “whether by [His] own voice or by the voice of [His] servants, it is the same.”

Let us continue to hold onto hope, build each other up, and spread positivity through any means we find appropriate. Let’s continue to pray for those who are being directly impacted by the virus and those people who are on the frontlines trying to contain the virus or find a cure. Let’s pray for our governments, health workers, family, and friends. Let’s pray for compassion, understanding, unity, love, and wisdom to abound in people’s hearts. And most especially, let’s get on our knees and give thanks to God for our many blessings and the light and hope that His gospel brings to our lives in these troubled times.

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Moments of Fearlessness

I have always been the kid who seemed to find reasons to stay calm. Whenever I met with trouble, an accident, or a circumstance that would disturb someone’s calm, I had this strange ability to steer the situation in the opposite direction. I was called the ‘collected’ kid for this reason.

Not too long ago, I was in my room getting dressed for the day. I was standing directly beneath my wall fan which had its swiftly rotating blades exposed because I had just cleaned the fan guard. I started to put clothes on, oblivious to the fact that my finger would be cut (thankfully, not fully) the moment I put my arm into the hole of my shirt.

I flinched, assessed my bleeding finger for a while, and proceeded to put on my shirt a little differently for someone who had almost sliced her finger in half. I went down the stairs, and showed the deep wound to my mom, who let out a shriek of horror. I laughed.
 

The crippling fear that we all fear

This experience has returned to my mind when my eyes have been bombarded with all the negative news that has circled around these past months. I felt real and powerful fear, for the first time in a long time. I wondered why I felt that way, and recounted times of trouble in the course of my life that had not given me this level of fear. I began to remember countless scriptural accounts on ‘rumors of wars’.

“And it came to pass that I beheld multitudes gathered together to battle, one against the other; and I beheld wars, and rumors of wars, and great slaughters with the sword among my people” (1 Nephi 12:2).

It became clear to me that we are living in this time, the time foretold in the scriptures when “the whole earth shall be in commotion” (D&C 45:26). The spine-crippling fear and worry that I felt intensified. I read news articles on terrorist attacks, lives of innocent people being taken, and the distress these events had caused. I thought about the people experiencing the terror firsthand, and wondered how they would be able to find peace that was seemingly lost.
 

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear

The calm kid that I used to be was faltering. I had wondered how, in those times, I had been able to feel calm and collected. I realized that it had been my knowledge of what to do next, and my faith that I would be fine, eventually. I knew that I just had to clean my wound, staple it, cover it and let time heal it.

The late Elder L. Tom Perry said, “ The Lord has given us the comforting assurance that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30). The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches hope and opportunity. To find the happiness we are seeking and rid ourselves of fear, we must be prepared.”

The greatest preparation is in arming ourselves with faith and trust in the Lord. That faith and trust is obtained by immersing ourselves in spiritual knowledge and continuous communication with Him. Peace is never lost, it is always within. Fighting to become spiritually prepared for this life’s adversities will always yield the promise of peace.

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At this Easter season, we remember with immense gratitude the sacrifices of our Savior in Gethsemane and on Calvary’s cross. No mere mortal can comprehend the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane. His suffering there caused Him to “tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18). Following the agony of Gethsemane, the Savior’s wounded body was nailed to a cross on Calvary’s hill. He was mocked and cursed and derided. When merciful death came, His body was gently placed in a borrowed tomb. He had passed beneath all things so that He might save all things.

Three days later, angels declared to the weeping Mary Magdalene: “He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:6). With these words, the most glorious, comforting, and reassuring of all events of human history was announced — the Savior’s victory over death. The pain and agony of Gethsemane and Calvary were wiped away. The salvation of mankind was secured. The Fall of Adam was reclaimed.

At this Easter season, we solemnly testify that our Savior was resurrected and that He lives again. As a result, each of God’s children will receive the Savior’s gift of immortality. And those who follow the Savior’s teachings and receive the gospel’s saving ordinances will be blessed with life eternal.

Thomas S. Monson

Henry B. Eyring

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Prince of Peace: Find Lasting Peace through Jesus Christ – Easter Message

Furthermore, members worldwide has joined the Church’s #PRINCEofPEACE campaign that draws each one of us to learn more about the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you watch this 2017 Easter video (in Tagalog language), you may also visit mormon.org for additional resources.

https://www.facebook.com/MormonPH/videos/1148036405308294/

This Easter, will you share with others how Christ brings peace to your life? Don’t forget to add #PrinceOfPeace at the end of your social media posts.

The theme for the #PrinceOfPeace initiative comes from Isaiah 9: 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9: 6

In addition, Mormon.org also released some downloadable resources which members can use to invite others to “come unto Christ” in this Easter season.

The Prince of Peace video is available in 33 languages and accompanies other videos that talk about the eight principles of peace: faith, God’s word, compassion, gratitude, prayer, forgiveness, repentance and hope.

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