The Triumphal Entry

During the final week of the Savior's mortal ministry He makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. John's Gospel records:  "And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt" (John 12: 14-15).  

Jesus followed a pattern established in the Old Testament by riding a donkey. Solomon rode upon king David's mule to the Gihon Spring, where Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed the new king. The trumpets were sounded and the people chanted, "God save king Solomon" (see 1 Kings 1: 38-39). Jesus enters Jerusalem in like fashion as the Davidic king and Messiah, which means "anointed One." Kings in Israel usually rode on a mule. Of course, this was prophesied in Zechariah:

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass" (Zechariah 9: 9). The donkey was also a symbol of peace. Someone riding a mule would not be a threat to Roman authorities.

The Savior triumphed over death and hell. He overcame physical death and spiritual death. As He made His way into the city gates, the people "took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (John 12: 13).

The Israelites, similar to the days of Solomon, are calling upon their King to save them. Thus they shout "hosanna," which means "save now."

The palm branches become symbolic of victory, as Jesus grants us victory over death and hell. Palm Sunday is still celebrated the Sunday before Easter.

One such Palm Sunday occurred on March 27,1836 as the Kirtland Temple was dedicated. One of the petitions of the dedicatory prayer is, "And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them" (D&C 109: 22).

Temple ordinances empower us and help us to be victorious over Satan. We can have angels come to our aid as we battle the enemy.

Another promise of the temple, related to Palm Sunday, is contained in this prayer, which petitions, 

"That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes of righteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings" (D&C 109: 76).