John Taylor: Obedience Through Trials
John Taylor, third prophet of the Mormon Church, was born in the Westmoreland part of England in 1808. His parents were his first teachers, helping him learn to read. They also gave him faith in God and an understanding of the Bible and of the Savior. He was baptized as an infant into the Church of England.
John Taylor, third
However, when he was a little boy, he had a vision. He saw a man holding a trumpet in his mouth. The man was in the heavens and the trumpet was an announcement of some sort, but he didn’t understand what this meant. As a child, when he was alone, he frequently heard soft music that seemed to be coming from heaven. He kept all these things in his heart.
When he was sixteen, he converted to the Methodist religion and only a year later was made a lay preacher. He had strong spiritual impressions that God intended him to teach the gospel in the United States some day.
However, it wasn’t to the United States that he moved first. First, he immigrated to Toronto, Canada. His family went ahead and he joined them when he finished selling the family property and wrapping up business. On the ship, he received another spiritual prompting as God continued to prepare him for what was to come. A terrible storm arose, frightening everyone. However, John felt the spirit tell him again he must someday go to the United States to preach the gospel. Because of this, he knew he would arrive safely, and was so sure he even went up on deck to enjoy the storm that was terrifying his shipmates.
He lived in New York for a few months on his arrival and then joined his family in Canada, where he soon married another Canadian immigrant, Leonora Cannon. John Taylor was still deeply committed to religion and he and a group of people decided to get together regularly to study religion. Their study turned out to be unsettling. He later wrote, “A number of us met together for the purpose of searching the Scriptures; and we found that certain doctrines were taught by Jesus and the Apostles, which neither the Methodists, Baptists, … nor any of the religious sects taught; and we concluded that if the Bible was true, the doctrines of modern Christendom were not true; or if they were true, the Bible was false. … In addition … , we prayed and fasted before God; and the substance of our prayers was, that if he had a people upon the earth anywhere, and ministers who were authorized to preach the Gospel, that he would send us one” (in Journal of Discourses, 23:30).”
During this time, God was busy setting eternal history into motion and answering John Taylor’s hope that the truth would find him. Back in the United States, Parley P. Pratt was preparing for a mission to Toronto, Canada. The decision to go had not been easy because his wife was very ill and his financial situation was perilous. His house had burnt down a year ago as well. It was certainly not the best time to leave his home and family to serve a mission. (In the early days of the church, married men often served missions without their families. Today, this is done by unmarried young people or older couples.) Despite the hardship, though, Elder Heber C. Kimball had been filled with a strong spiritual impression that it was important he go and that there were people waiting for the gospel there. Without hesitation, he went.
At first, he might have wondered about that prophecy, because his many petitions for a place to preach were denied and no one wanted to hear his message. Then he met John Taylor. John was not really interested in the message, having heard many strange rumors about this “American” church. However, he listened politely, both because he was a courteous man and because he was interested in religion, still being a lay minister and still searching for that true religion. As Elder Pratt prepared to leave, a neighbor came by and invited the missionary to stay in her home and to preach their to the study group John and the neighbor belonged to.
It was Elder Pratt’s discussion of the Holy Ghost that captured his attention. Elder Pratt explained that it was through the Holy Ghost we could know what was true. John Taylor asked if the Holy Ghost would tell him if this Mormon religion was true and Elder Pratt assured him the Holy Ghost would and that it was the sure way to know. John agreed to put the religion to the test, but warned Elder Pratt that if the Holy Ghost said it was false, he would expose it to the world. However, if the Holy Ghost said it was true, John would join the church at any cost. For him, finding God’s truth was essential.
The others in the group found Elder Pratt was teaching many of the things they had found themselves in the Bible that other churches did not teach. However, the Book of Mormon proved a stumbling block for many. Some refused to learn any more and the others were hesitant. John spoke firmly, displaying the courage and integrity he would come to be known for:
“We are here, ostensibly in search of truth. Hitherto we have fully investigated other creeds and doctrines and proven them false. Why should we fear to investigate Mormonism? This gentleman, Mr. Pratt, has brought to us many doctrines that correspond with our own views. … We have prayed to God to send us a messenger, if He has a true Church on earth. Mr. Pratt has come to us … without purse or scrip, as the ancient apostles traveled; and none of us are able to refute his doctrine by scripture or logic. I desire to investigate his doctrines and claims to authority. … If I find his religion true, I shall accept it, no matter what the consequences may be.”
John began to study the Mormon religion and to pray. He began listening to Elder Pratt preach in a variety of places. He recorded the contents of eight different sermons and then went home to compare what was taught to what was in his Bible.
He almost hoped it would not be true, because he knew how dangerous his life would become if it were true. He was an honorable man and knew he had to do whatever God told him was right; he had always been that sort of person.
Soon he had a very sure knowledge that it was indeed true. He kept his promise and joined, prepared to accept any consequence that occurred as a result. The costs were indeed great and the strength of his testimony would be called on to support him many times. He was with Joseph Smith when the Joseph was murdered. John was shot and fell to the ground. While trying to get under a bed (they were in prison being held on false charges) he was shot again in the chest, but the bullet hit the watch in his pocket, saving his life. He was shot several more times, but lived. Joseph Smith was murdered. John’s life would be in danger from the government and others many more times in the future.
“I expected when I came into this church, that I should be persecuted and proscribed. I expected that the people would be persecuted. But I believed that God had spoken, that the eternal principles of truth had been revealed, and that God had a work to accomplish which was in opposition to the ideas, views, and notions of men, and I did not know but it would cost me my life before I got through. … If they killed Jesus in former times, would not the same feeling and influence bring about the same results in these times? I had counted the cost when I first started out, and stood prepared to meet it.
The Lord, through simple means, is able to take care of and deliver his people, but they must put implicit faith and confidence in him; and when they are crowded into a tight place they must not be afraid to make sacrifice for the sake of maintaining the truth, and all will be well with us whether living or dying, in time or in eternity.(Chapter 23: Eternal Truth,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 209.)
John used his talents to serve God in a variety of ways. He converted many of his neighbors and then moved to the United States to live in the Mormon community. He became an apostle when he was thirty years old. He wrote many articles explaining Mormonism, edited a newspaper, and became known among church members as the Defender of the Faith. He served four full-time missions, and one was to New York, fulfilling the prophecies he had received most of his life about preaching the gospel in the United States.
He would become the third president of the Church during very difficult times in church history. During this time as president, he organized the priesthood, set up the concept of regular stake conferences (stakes are similar to dioceses) and organized an auxiliary for children called Primary. He fought for the principal of religious freedom during a time the government wanted to disenfranchise the church and confiscate their property. This would have allowed the government to effectively end religious freedom for all religions, who would be forced to alter their doctrines to meet the current fads of the government in order to be allowed to practice, and this, of course, would have been a powerful threat to the constitution.
John Taylor is the only prophet who was born outside the United States to date. Having come from an autocratic nation, loved the American form of government and fought long and hard to preserve it. He invited people to celebrate and protect freedom of religion.
Mary Fielding Smith: Mormon Pioneer
Filed under: Adversity, Mormon Women's History, Priesthood, Women of the Church
Mary Fielding Smith was the wife of Hyrum Smith. Hyrum was the brother of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes nicknamed Mormons. The brothers were murdered at a young age, leaving behind young wives and children.
Mary Fielding Smith did not let the trials she had already faced, or those she would face in the future as a widowed mother in a church under constant threat of persecution and death slow her down or destroy her faith. She accepted that other people would be able to cause troubles for her she couldn’t control, and she might be among a hated group, but she could could still take control of much of her life. Like so many pioneer women, she showed extraordinary courage and faith through even the most challenging times. Read more
Eliza R. Snow: Poet, Leader, and Activist
Filed under: History of Music, Mormon Women's History, Women, Women of the Church
Eliza R. Snow was a pioneer, an early president of the Relief Society (an organization for Mormon women), president of Deseret Hospital, president of the Women’s Department of the Endowment House, and an author. She is considered one of the great women in Mormon history.
Eliza R. Snow
While many people pictured Mormon pioneer women as meek and mild, no one ever accused Eliza of such. She repeatedly protested this mischaracterization. One month before the Utah legislature returned to Utah women the suffrage they had lost when they gained statehood, she said: Read more
How Mormons Learn Leadership
There are Mormons in top positions in many companies and in government. Mormons learn leadership from a young age through church service and training.
At the age of eight, Mormon boys join the Cub Scouts (part of the Boy Scouts of America) and Mormon girls join the Activity Day Program, (an LDS program.) In these programs, they learn how to set goals and achieve them, and they learn how to spend their free time in meaningful ways. They develop skills that will make them productive, successful adults.
When they turn twelve years old, they move into the Young Women’s and Young Men’s programs. Using their ability to set goals and meet them, they are now given much harder goals to set and achieve. The boys work through the Boy Scouts program where available, and the girls—and boy who live where Scouting isn’t the approved program—work in a Personal Progress program.
They also begin to take an active role in leading their own programs. The program is overseen by an adult president, her counselors, and three scout leaders or advisors, plus a secretary. However, each class, consisting of youth of two ages, also has a youth presidency. The youth president and his or her two counselors and secretary lead the program. They learn the rules, receive training in leadership skills, set goals, and select activities that meet those goals. The adults provide shadow leadership. This means they are always present, and guide gently by asking questions that lead the youth to understand how to achieve their goals and by helping them learn to evaluate activities for effectiveness. However, it is the youth who are in charge, with leaders only assisting where needed.
The youth are taught Planning With a Purpose. This means they begin by asking what they want to have happen in the lives of those they lead. For instance, they may be concerned about the dress standards of the youth, or worried that some youth don’t have many friends. Then they develop an activity that will address that need, rather than coming up with a fun plan and squashing it into the program. Afterwards, they evaluate how effective the activity was in achieving the goal, determine what follow-up is needed, and decide how to improve based on what they learned.
With six years of leadership training, the youth are well-prepared to move into the adult LDS world, with its many leadership opportunities. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the real name of the church—is a lay church, and it has a very extensive program. Everyone is able to work who wants to do so, as an unpaid volunteer. Assignments are made and positions are frequently changed, so its members have opportunities to do many different things, each job bringing with it its own set of skills.
Both men and women have opportunities to lead. There are a number of auxiliary organizations, all of which have three member presidencies. Some church positions are filled only by men, others only by women, and some are open to either. There are no promotions—the adult president of the children’s Primary Organization might be the assistant in the baby nursery the next week. However, most people do learn leadership by serving as a counselor to someone with more experience. On the other hand, sometimes a completely inexperienced person is placed in the position of president and chooses an experienced counselor to provide the shadow leadership mentioned above to help her rise to the responsibility.
Unlike the world, the church presumes that if God calls you to a position, He will also qualify you to do it. Members learn leadership, making mistakes, but always progressing until they become skilled leaders. This is one of the ways the church fulfills its responsibility to help God’s children become everything He planned for them to become.
He Lives, This Testimony I Give
Last Sunday I was privileged to hear entertainer, Merrill Osmond, give a fantastic fireside on the Refiner’s Fire and becoming that pure, refined gold the Savior wants us to be. He shared an experience with us that left a lasting impression on my mind.
Merrill was sitting in the office of Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth called prophet of these modern times, who asked him to bear his testimony of the Savior. In all honesty, my brain took a pretty quick side trip. Merrill was asked to bear his testimony of the Savior to a prophet of God. Mindboggling. Then I, of course, wondered what I would say if a prophet of God asked ME to bear my testimony of Jesus Christ to him, and this is the end result of that thought process.
I testify to the world that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer, and the path by which mankind may be saved. He is Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New Testament.
When He spoke to Moses, He said:
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)
His work and His glory are all wrapped up in and revolves around the salvation of mankind. Through Him we may find peace of mind in a chaotic and wartorn world. Through Jesus Christ we will be numbered with the saints of the Lord. Through our Redeemer we may gain eternal life, able to dwell with Him and our Father in Heaven for eternity. Through our Savior the greedy grasp of death is forever broken and the grave cannot hold us. Because of His great and loving sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane we are able to repent and be forgiven, shedding our sins and embracing the promise which our King delivers. He is God the Son and stands at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints administered through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson.
He was born into this world, in a lowly and humble fashion, to the virgin Mary, also long prophesied of, who was espoused to Joseph. He did restore the Kingdom of God, in all its purity and completeness, during His lifetime. He did perform miracles and He was, and still is, the promised Messiah the Jews have looked forward to for so long. He did enter the Garden of Gethsemane and suffered for all the sins, sorrows, illnesses, disease and grief of billions upon trillions of Heavenly Father’s children, no matter when they lived or have yet to live. And above all, He lives. This testimony I bear, along with the prophets and apostles of His Church:
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10). (The Living Christ, The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
The Lessons of Prophets
I’ve had good occasion of late to spend a lot of time considering the value of being a powerful example of Jesus Christ in these last days. On some days it brings huge rewards, and others, not so much. It brings to mind the struggles and trials many prophets, through the ages, have undergone. It helps me to stop, breathe and reassess what I do. When all is said and done, I am still a daughter of God, standing for His Son, Jesus Christ and willing to proclaim Christ’s Gospel to the world.
Looking back on the words of Joseph Smith, Jr. as he proclaimed to the world:
So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation. (Joseph Smith History 1:25)
Once truth has been made known to a son or daughter of God, as it was to Joseph Smith, Jr. it behooves that person to stay the course. And Joseph Smith did. No one can say he didn’t suffer terribly for his knowledge and testimony of God. No one can say he didn’t get up every single day, put one foot in front of another, and continue that steady, unfailing course toward Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I draw on the example of Joseph Smith often in my life. That I might shake off my struggles and worries and remember the most important thing: Jesus Christ lives and that He is my Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, and only Him, will I return to my heavenly home and greet my Father in Heaven with great joy. And I often think to myself, I have not suffered (nor even come close) as Joseph Smith suffered and I am grateful for my challenges, trials and worries for they come nowhere to close to what this beloved prophet of ours suffered.
Or, let us look to Jonah, that ancient prophet of old. He was commanded by Jehovah, who is Jesus Christ, to journey to Nineveh and preach repentance to the people else they would be destroyed. Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, he didn’t believe they were worth saving for they had killed his family. Jonah argued with the Lord and in an act of direct disobedience, set sail for Tarshish. All on that ship suffered greatly until Jonah drew the short end of the proverbial stick, was tossed overboard and swallowed by a whale. Yuck.
Eventually, after a hasty discharge from the belly of the whale, Jonah took that 3-day journey to Nineveh and preached repentance to the people or destruction would be visited upon their city after 40 days. And Nineveh repented.
Jonah, on the other hand, went and set himself on the side of a mountain overlooking Nineveh and waited for their destruction. It didn’t happen and he was so angry. Those who had killed his family did not, in his heart, deserve to live and Jonah was not willing to accept the declaration of Jehovah that Nineveh had repented and been spared. (See Jonah 1-4)
What is the lesson I take from this biblical story? No matter what we know or what horror has been visited upon us we must stop, listen and accept the Lord’s judgment. It is not my job, or yours, to judge because we cannot know another’s heart. Oh, we think we might, but we cannot. God knows all things, we do not. It serves no purpose to argue with God, Jonah, as you will see in Chapter 4, paid the price for bucking Jehovah on the redemption of Nineveh. Worms, unforgiving sun, and harsh winds were visited upon him and still Jonah did not want the people of Nineveh to be forgiven. It ends with the Lord asking, Jonah:
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? (See Jonah 4:11)
And so I ask, cannot I spare those who have done a disservice to me, for those who have perpetrated such hatred upon me are also children of God whom He loves dearly.
So yes, these examples of these prophets teach powerful lessons which would be wise to internalize, for I am attempting to do that very thing.
Joseph Smith, Jr: Prayer and Personal Revelation
One of the key differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as Mormons, and other Christian faiths, is our belief that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father strongly encourage personal prayer and revelation.
Joseph Smith, Jr., the prophet of the restoration, made a very profound statement which changed the course of relationships between the children of God and their Heavenly Father:
It is the privilege of the children of God to come to God and get revelation. … God is not a respecter of persons; we all have the same privilege. …
We believe that we have a right to revelations, visions, and dreams from God, our Heavenly Father; and light and intelligence, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, in the name of Jesus Christ, on all subjects pertaining to our spiritual welfare; if it so be that we keep His commandments, so as to render ourselves worthy in His sight. (“Chapter 10: Prayer and Personal Revelation,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),125–34)
Once this revolutionary principle was taught to the world, millions upon millions took hold of the concept and turned to their Father in Heaven for confirmation of truths or falsehoods they were being taught. It took the responsibility out of the hands of priests, preachers and ministers and placed it squarely where it belonged, on the shoulders of individuals who had the willingness to kneel and ask their Father for truth.
It is a God-given right, along with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to turn to Him in times of trouble, questioning, learning, joy and sorrow. What an incredible privilege this is . . .
Some questions for God, right off the top of my head, are:
- Are you there?
- Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New Testament?
- Is the Book of Mormon true?
- Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints true?
- Is baptism by immersion correct?
It is by the utilization of this precious and simple gift from God that Joseph Smith, Jr. was able to restore the Kingdom of God, in its entirety, on the earth.
Throughout his life, Joseph Smith would turn to God in prayer to seek the help and guidance he needed. A Church member recalled hearing him pray in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time of great personal difficulty: “Never until then had I heard a man address his Maker as though He was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child. … There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the Lord standing facing His humblest of all servants I had ever seen. (Ibid)
Indeed, this is as each of us should approach our Father in Heaven, for we are His sons or daughters. (See Romans 8:16)
When we left our heavenly home, we left with great hope, anticipation and excitement knowing that our Father in Heaven would be waiting, at all times, to listen to us, answer our questions and inspire in directions which would give us the least amount of pain. As I have mentioned before: We were never meant to traverse these treacherous paths alone. He, along with Jesus Christ, focus every effort on bringing us home. Jesus Christ told Moses:
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)
To each child of God on the earth today, I urge you to kneel, and in quiet humility, pray and ask the Father anything which you desire, confirm any truth you believe you have received or pour you troubles out to Him and then listen for guidance. He awaits, I promise you. You matter, you are everything . . . else why would Jesus Christ descend from His throne on high and be born into the world to pay the ultimate price that we might live forever and attain eternal life.
Let us end with the words of Joseph:
… I may believe that Enoch walked with God. I may believe that Abraham communed with God and conversed with angels. I may believe that Isaac obtained a renewal of the covenant made to Abraham by the direct voice of the Lord. I may believe that Jacob conversed with holy angels and heard the word of his Maker, that he wrestled with the angel until he prevailed and obtained a blessing. I may believe that Elijah was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire with fiery horses. I may believe that the saints saw the Lord and conversed with him face to face after his resurrection. I may believe that the Hebrew church came to Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. I may believe that they looked into eternity and saw the Judge of all, and Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant.
But will all this purchase an assurance for me, or waft me to the regions of eternal day with my garments spotless, pure, and white? Or, must I not rather obtain for myself, by my own faith and diligence in keeping the commandments of the Lord, an assurance of salvation for myself? And have I not an equal privilege with the ancient saints? And will not the Lord hear my prayers and listen to my cries as soon as he ever did to theirs if I come to him in the manner they did? (Ibid)
Thomas S. Monson: To Each Must Come Death
As surely as the sun rises in the east every morning, each of us will face the day when we shuffle off this mortal coil and report to our God. At this time we will be greeted by loved ones and ancestors who have carefully watched our progress on earth. It will be a time of great rejoicing, if we are able to return and report that we lived up to our divine potential to the very best of our ability. If we can say we took advantage of this mortal probation and developed our skills, talents, knowledge and education, developing our spirits as fully as possible through the study and internalization of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we have done what we were sent here to do.
President Thomas S. Monson, the 16th called prophet of these modern times, spoke of September 11, 2001 in a compassionate and inspired address to the Church:
Countless are the reports we have heard during the past three and a half weeks of those who were touched in some way—either directly or indirectly—by the events of that day. I should like to share with you the comments of a Church member, Rebecca Sindar, who was on a flight from Salt Lake City to Dallas on the morning of Tuesday, September 11. The flight was interrupted, as were all flights in the air at the time of the tragedies, and the plane grounded in Amarillo, Texas. Sister Sindar reports: “We all left the plane and found televisions in the airport, where we crowded around to see the broadcast of what had happened. People were lined up to call loved ones to assure them we were safely on the ground. I shall always remember the 12 or so missionaries who were on their way to the mission field on our flight. They made phone calls, and then we saw them huddled in a circle in a corner of the airport, kneeling in prayer together. How I wish I could have captured that moment to share with the mothers and fathers of those sweet young men as they saw the need for prayer right away.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 59)
The time to prepare for this certain day, in each of our lives, is now. Must we rush around, spinning in circles, as we hastily try to prepare? No, of course not. But this day so many dread is indeed a celebration of life and the eternities rather than a time of deep and abiding grief. On that day, you return to your heavenly home and give an account of your life.
These sweet young missionaries knew, at that moment of great national tragedy and sorrow, to turn to our Heavenly Father, for only in Him and His Son Jesus Christ, could peace and comfort be found. And, it is to Them we should turn now, in preparation for that glorious return home.
1. Have you wiled away the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years of life sitting in a recliner watching t.v. or playing computer games?
2. Have you spent your time spinning from one frenetic party to another, constantly seeking that next exciting, yet oh so fleeting, moment where you are happy?
3. Have you immersed yourself in work, determined to be the best of the best and in doing so neglected your family?
These questions are not meant to be accusatory, but rather are meant to help each of us realize the things we do which rob us of precious time which should be spent learning of Jesus Christ and His teachings.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch television, just don’t watch it all the time. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play video games, just don’t play them 24 hours a day. Do you see the point I am making? Do you give equal time, or more time, to the study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Mortality, this life we are living right now, is meant to be a time of learning and progression. President Monson tell us:
How fragile life, how certain death. We do not know when we will be required to leave this mortal existence. And so I ask, “What are we doing with today?” If we live only for tomorrow, we’ll have a lot of empty yesterdays today. Have we been guilty of declaring, “I’ve been thinking about making some course corrections in my life. I plan to take the first step—tomorrow”? With such thinking, tomorrow is forever. Such tomorrows rarely come unless we do something about them today. As the familiar hymn teaches:
There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.(Will L. Thompson, “Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223)
Let us ask ourselves the questions: “Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need?” What a formula for happiness! What a prescription for contentment, for inner peace—to have inspired gratitude in another human being.
Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved. (Ibid)
Indeed, we have been told “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)
Both an ancient prophet, Mosiah, and a modern prophet, Thomas S. Monson, have told us that we must serve our fellow man in order to draw closer to God. Service, as they point out, comes in many forms and ways. From a simple smile for a passerby to helping someone to rebuild their home, it can run the spectrum and on every part of that spectrum are points of service which fan that divine flame within you.
In studying the words of God, found in the books of scripture, we come to understand the mysteries of heaven and what is expected of us as we learn and instill the teachings of Christ in our lives.
In constant and humble prayer we learn to pour out our hearts and then to be still . . . and listen. And when we ask something of our Heavenly Father, we must be prepared to accept and act upon that answer.
In humility and sincerity we testify of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the World, and truth is then testified to us by the Spirit of God.
In all that we give to the Father and the Son it comes back to us a thousand times over and it brings us closer to being prepared for our return home.
Jesus Christ’s mission is a simple, yet eminently powerful one:
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)
If this is His glory, and it is, His entire purpose for descending from on high to give His life that we might live, then very little is being asked of us in making the most of who we are as sons and daughters of God. Start today. Take that first step and then another and another, never turn back.
“May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may have no serious regrets, no unfinished business.” Thomas S. Monson
Joseph Smith, Jr – Lectures on Faith
In Joseph Smith, Jr.’s “Lectures on Faith” he teaches many powerful lessons, one of which is:
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
By this we understand the principle of power which existed in the bosom of God, by which the worlds were framed, was faith; and that it is by reason of this principle of power existing in the Deity, that all created things exist; so that all things in heaven, on earth, or under the earth, exist by reason of faith as it existed in Him. (Joseph Smith, Jr., “Lectures on Faith” American Fork, 2000 3)
Let’s stop and consider, we have been told if we have faith the size of a mustard seed even the mountains would obey if we told them to move. (Matthew 17:20) So how does one gain faith the size of a mustard seed? It’s sure harder than it seems at times, for such a simple eternal concept.
Examples of faith can be found in the true stories of Alma and Amulek (Alma 14:23-29); Nephi and Lehi (Helaman 5:37-50) and the Master’s calming of an angry sea. (Mark 4:35-39) The stories of faith in the scriptures go on and on, and yet, faith seems to slip through the fingers of so many.
So let’s examine, with the aid of Joseph Smith, Jr., the concept of faith.
What is faith? The evidence of things hoped for, but not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
In Hebrews 11:6 we learn it is impossible to please God without faith. If we accept this as truth, and I do, then it follows that we must have faith. Faith that Jesus Christ is our Lord, Savior and Redeemer. Faith that He fulfilled the mission (Moses 1:39) our Heavenly Father sent Him to do. Faith that there is more to life than this brief mortal existence. Faith that we came from more than nothing. Faith that we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. Faith that we are meant to be so much more than we are right now.
To fully understand this, we must understand:
. . . God is the only supreme governor and independent being in whom all fulness and perfection dwell; who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; without beginning of days or end of life; and that in Him every good gift and every good principle dwell; and that He is the Father of lights; in Him the principle of faith dwells independently, and He is the object in whom the faith of all other rational and accountable beings center for life and salvation. (Joseph Smith, Jr., “Lectures on Faith” American Fork, 2000 9)
So, if we are to understand this correctly, faith dwells with God. (Romans 1:20) If we believe, have faith, that there is a God whose sole purpose is to provide the path, means and support to bring all of His children home, than we can believe that if we ask for faith, He will give it to us.
There are many instances in the scriptures when God spoke to man: He spoke to Cain after He slew Abel (Genesis 4:1-15); He spoke to Moses (Exodus 34:27-28); He spoke to Noah (Genesis 7:1-5); Joseph Smith, Jr. in the sacred grove (Joseph Smith History 1) and many, many more. Answers to prayers offered in the scriptures are even more abundant, miracles equally so. We trace our knowledge of God, back to the very beginning, from Adam and Eve.
And so to build faith we must accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our loving and eternal Heavenly Father. From the acceptance of that truth a whole new world opens up to the children of God. And yes, that means you too.
According to Joseph Smith, Jr., three things must exist in order for faith to exist in your life.
First the idea that God actually exists. We’ve covered that amply.
Second, a correct idea of His character, perfections and attributes.
This takes study of the scriptures. As you pour over and internalize the concepts, practices and principles taught in the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price you will come to know and better understand Jesus Christ, and in doing so, you will also come to know and better understand Heavenly Father. For the Savior does nothing and speaks nothing that is not of the Father. They are of one mind, heart and purpose although not body.
This is what we know of Jesus Christ:
1) He was God before the world was created and remained God after.
2) He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and that He has always been so and always will be.
3) He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow . . . forever and ever. Therefore, miracles have not ceased. Prophets and apostles, holding the proper priesthood authority, still walk the earth. And His Church exists with the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.
Third, an actual knowledge that the course of life which He (Jesus Christ) is pursuing is according to His (Heavenly Father’s) will. This, we learn as we study the scriptures and examine every aspect of Jesus Christ’s life that we may know the path that we too must follow.
Moses 1:39 gives us a clear understanding of the purpose of Jesus Christ’s mission on this earth:
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
His humble birth in Bethlehem. (Luke 2) His three year mission teaching and restoring the fulness of His gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (New Testament) His fulfillment of the Law of Sacrifice. (Mark 14:13-31) His agonizing and terrifying Atonement, the greatest act of love and crowning glory of all of mankind. (Mark 14:32-41) His cruel and excruciating trial, torture and crucifixion. (Mark 14:43-27; Mark 15) And His triumph over the grave when He broke the bands of death, forever, upon His resurrection. (Mark 16) All this was to the end of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man . . . yes, again, that is you.
Fourth, He cannot lie, for He is a God of truth.
Fifth, He is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of Him.
This is God. If you kneel down and offer with a sincere and humble heart the fervent desire to know if this true, it will be given to you. God is all that I have described. (Moroni 10:3-5)
You must have an idea of the perfect truth of God before faith can be given unto you. Joseph Smith, Jr. said:
By a little reflection, it will be seen that the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity is necessary to enable any rational being to exercise faith in Him; for without the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity, men could not exercise faith in Him for life and salvation; seeing that without the knowledge of all things God would not be able to save any portion of His creatures; for it is by reason of the knowledge which He has of all things, from the beginning to the end, that enables Him to give that understanding to His creatures by which they are made partakers of eternal life; and if it were not for the idea existing in the minds of men that God had all knowledge, it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in Him. (Joseph Smith, Jr., “Lectures on Faith” American Fork, 2000 51)
As you study the Gospel of Jesus Christ, fervently desiring to know truth from error or falsehood, you will be challenged. You might possibly be verbally or physically attacked, for truth has its enemies.
But know this, with the study of the Gospel comes a protection if you but ask. Study, learn and line upon line the truth and will be given to you. (Isaiah 28:10) And as truth is given to you, so is faith. Until your faith, challenged time and time again, will grow to the size of a mustard seed and beyond. This I testify of as absolute truth.
What is This Thing Called Death?
Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th called prophet of these modern times, wrote a poem several years ago that I just heard for the first time today. The words are so heartfelt, and because I’ve felt death so recently, it hit me particularly hard.
What is this thing called death
This quiet passing in the night?
Tis not the end but genesis
of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
These gentle words of poetry spoken by a prophet of God pierced my soul. They brought remembrance of who I was before:
One of the most precious things given to us, I believe, is the knowledge of who we were before we came to this earth.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie, an apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, tells us:
“Being subject to law, and having their agency, all the spirits of men, while yet in the Eternal Presence, developed aptitudes, talents, capacities, and abilities of every sort, kind and degree . . . As the ages rolled, no two spirits remained alike. Mozart became a musician; Einstein centered his interest in mathematics; Michelangelo turned his attention to painting. Cain was a liar, a schemer, a rebel who maintained a close affinity to Lucifer. Abraham and Moses and all of the prophets sought and obtained the talent for spirituality. Mary and Eve were two of the greatest of all the spirit daughters of the Father . . . and so it went through all the hosts of heaven, each individual developing talents and abilities as his soul desired.” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book 1979 1:23 497)
“Eternal Presence” is the presence of our Heavenly Father. We are His spirit sons and daughters, which gives me such a sense of completeness. I know who I am: — Read More — (Candace E. Salima, “Who Was I Before Life,” Mar 2008, Mormon Basic Beliefs, www.ldsblogs.com)
an acknowledgment that this brief moment of mortality is but a minute or so in the eternal scheme of our lives.
It is so difficult to part with loved ones as they return to our heavenly home. We concentrate on their absence in our lives, rather than their return to a glorious home . . . the home from whence we all came before mortality.
I mourned when President Gordon B. Hinckley died. But I also rejoiced that he had finally joined his sweet and beloved wife whom he missed so desperately.
I mourned when my father died. He was leaving behind a wife who loved and depended on him as well as twelve children, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who miss him desperately. But he suffered so greatly at the end, it was a quiet, yet heart wrenching, relief when he left mortality and passed through the veil.
As my husband’s kidney transplant approaches I have had too much time to think of what could go wrong . . . because the transplant team is making sure we know everything that could go wrong so they don’t get sued if something does.
And yet the words of President Hinckley’s poem, particularly the second verse offer hope and strength:
O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
This peace spoken of is real and available to all who seek it. It was given to each of us, including my mother, when my father’s earthly time was growing to a close. The Holy Ghost whispered to each of us that Dad’s time was done and he had much to accomplish on the other side of the veil before the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. Through the grief, there came a piercing peace which filled our souls. Do we miss him, oh yeah . . . without question.
But President Hinckley reminds us that death:
Tis not the end but genesis
of better worlds and greater light.
That is what we must remember most . . . death should not be a time of mourning, just as life should not be a time of wasting this brief moment where we’ve been given the chance to become more like our Heavenly Father.
Weep for the separation, but not for the purpose. For death is merely the graduation from mortality to the next phase in our eternal existence. When resurrection time comes for each of us, we will move into yet another phase of eternity. Who we are and what we become, in other words, how high we wish to reach, is completely up to us.
Do we want to be as Jesus Christ? Then we must live as Jesus Christ.
Do we want to be as our Father in Heaven? Then we must obey His commandments, given to us by His Son, Jesus Christ.
Do we wish to grow and learn and reach the full measure of our creation? Then we must avail ourselves of the opportunities Jesus Christ has given us.
Did you catch the common theme? Jesus Christ. He is our salvation. In accepting Him, as our Lord, Savior and Redeemer, the Son of God, the God of all who have lived in this world, as the only path through which we might return to our Father in Heaven and back into the presence of Jesus Christ. Through Him, and only through Him, may exaltation be found.
So remember who we are, children of God. Remember the purpose of why we are. And remember where we are going. This knowledge has been restored through Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. And the Gospel of Jesus Christ is contained, in its fullness, in the Book of Mormon, a second testament of Jesus Christ. The scriptures hold such precious truths which guide us through every aspect of our lives.
And this beloved prophet of God, President Hinckley tells us:
There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.