“The Peacegiver” by James L. Ferrell is an audio book on MP3 download at LDSAudio.com.  When I first started listening to this book, I wondered how a story of a young man who feels like his married life is over would have anything to do with the atonement.  The story unfolds as a young man, who has been married for about 12 years, feels like all he and his wife ever do is argue.  As he is trying to figure out why his wife treats him the way she does and how he can possibily live another day in such a terrible marriage, he dreams a dream…or is it?  His Grandfather, whom he loved very much, shows up in his dream and takes him away to ancient times.  Through some biblical events he learns just how the atonement applies to all mankind, and just how much the atonement did for us.  Through events from David, Jonah and others he learns how the atonement can change lives; not only his, but ours.   If we have made a wrong choice, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can give us the assurance that sin is not a point of no return.   A safe return is possible if we will follow God’s plan for our salvation.  

This book points out that many times when we think that someone is sinning against us, we can realize that we are the ones at fault; and once we have truly repented, Christ will take away the burden of guilt for our sins and make us love someone again, whether they love us back or not.  We recieve great joy from forgiveness when we are willing to humble ourselves and extend that joy freely to others.  There is a great need to cleanse our hearts and minds of feelings of bitterness and allow the light of Christ in.  When we do so that spirit fills our souls with joy and peace.  As quoted in Mosiah 4:2-3 ….”And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.  And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which King Benjamin had spoken unto them.”

In his book, “The Peacegiver” by James L. Ferrell, Brother Ferrell gives the listener a lot to think about, but also gives much more to help us understand the atonement.  Great job!!!!!

J. Stevenson
YW Advisor and mother of 4