LDS Generations

Ever since I was young, my mother taught me the value of listening to the Spirit; that when you are drawn somewhere, you must follow it even if it doesn’t make sense. In time I would find that it made sense later. This is faith; following a prompting without evidence that the path you are on is leading to some place sound. Tying this into genealogy throughout the years, I have found so many joys from following promptings. There were many times when I would meet and come to know someone, then feel very drawn to know more. I would soon learn that meant to check and see if we were related and the answer most of the time was yes. However, sometimes they were not related, and I continued interacting with them because I knew there was a door somewhere in that path that would open. The doors that opened in these relationships were paths for people who were not of our faith to have a better understanding of what we believe, coming to see us in a different light than what society and history has revealed to them.

Anytime I become acquainted with people who aren’t members of our faith, there is a span of time that passes before they know what church I belong to and then even more time before they know that Joseph Smith is my great-great grandfather. Why? Because I learned when they know that first, the caution signs go up and they keep a distance without getting to know me. Their first reaction is shock because I am so far removed from what they envisioned a “Mormon” to be. It always makes me wonder if they ever bothered to really get to know one. However, after they get to know me and then find out my faith and relation to Joseph, they begin to ask questions and what follows are long discussions about what we really believe, and I find much happiness in clearing up their misconceptions about Joseph due to false narratives.

At that point they are not ready to believe what I believe, but they are not afraid of it anymore. This breakdown is the beginning of healing fractures of the heart and mind. As we speak about the questions they have, they come to the conclusion that we are not so far apart from what they believe aside from temple work. I recall a neat conversation I had with one lady, and she asked me about temples. This led to a discussion on the levels of heaven and I told her where that can be found in the Bible but she already knew about it! She said, “Oh yeah, I know about that. I am trying to do my best and hope to at least be in the lowest kingdom of heaven.” I wanted to say so much to her about the plan of salvation but something said to hold back and take it slow. The important thing is that their fear was gone. So far, everyone at my work place who have asked me questions are less rigid toward the church, this process is breaking down generational walls of hatred and bitterness.

I have always known that part of my role on earth is to bring healing, not just to members of the Church but to everyone. It is something that many are involved in, an effort that has been ongoing for generations. I continue to be fascinated by the many peoples and cultures my journey has introduced me to. In all of these meetings, I try to bring a sense of happiness, joy, laughter, and camaraderie. To me, the overall goal is to bring them to Christ, to learn of Christ, and to strive to be like Him. No matter what faith they belong to, when they accept Him, He will lead them where they need to be.

As time passes I am becoming active with people of other faiths from all over the world. Our discussions will consist of the value of harmonious and respectful discussions about our beliefs with the emphasis of love for one another and healing the world. In these discussions I will speak of Christ and His teachings as well as the Restoration. As I continue to meet people in my community and beyond, I will express love, joy, and peace in every mannerism of my speech, shaking hands, and from my countenance in hopes their hearts might be touched. This is my way of casting the net and bringing hearts unto Christ. Many hands are on that net. It is so important to keep deepening the relationship between ourselves, the Savior, and Heavenly Father, which in turn will help us to be more aware of the Spirit and more discerning in our hearts. As such we will be led to those who need healing. I pray that we all maintain our health and strength in these times. I’ll leave you with a poem that I wrote some years ago. Have a blessed week!

The Prayer

Heavenly Father

Lift me up unto Thy grace

That I might find encouragement

As I travel place to place

That I might grow with every meeting

That fear and doubt are moments fleeting

Give me strength, Father, when I am weak

Give me a voice that I might speak

Increase my knowledge so to teach

That I might serve those who I reach

Gracious Father be with me

That I may love and honor thee

That I can bring the harvest in

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

Oftentimes when I am inspired to write something, especially poetry, it comes out of left field, and I have no idea where it will end up. This one in particular hit me hard. When I began writing it, I was addressing the state of our world and society today but within a few lines, it became the perspective of someone who had lived long ago when times were simpler, more respectable, and as a whole more in tune with the Lord. I knew as I kept writing that this would be what someone felt if they had been resurrected and experienced the impact of the world as it is, or if someone had come from the past into the future. Either way, I felt the full impact as I wrote. Many tears streamed down my face as my fingers moved furiously on the keyboard. I wrote this the day after I had an amazing dream that involved President Uchdorf speaking of the return of Christ and how important it is that we reign in our focus where it should be, using all of our gifts and talents to teach of Christ, lift those around us, and embrace one another.

I cannot bare the scene

Laid out before my soul

Is this what once was and now is?

How have we thus diminished?

                       I sink to my knees in sorrow

I remember much more light

I recall a depth of etiquette and grace

Of respect and value there is little trace

Where do I now go?

                     What will I see tomorrow?

I fall and stumble in weeping

I wake and stir in sleeping

What is this pain?

What is this death?

                     It is too far reaching

For my ancestors knew it not

Despite the woe and sorrow

That may have rolled before them

Like thunder in the night

They knew the bond of friendship and kin

Could prevail any storm

                     They embraced true teaching

So many fractured ties

So many broken hearts

How do we gather the multitude of pieces?

They lay scattered like a mosaic covering of the earth

Each piece crying for its own justice

How can this be reconciled

                      My cries echo through generations

Yet in my sorrowed and dreary state

I cannot be overwhelmed by it all

For we have been told of this through ages

These are all but stages

                      This is known in all nations

No matter if it stirs the heart to grieve

We have known one truth

That all of the broken hearted

Can be mended and healed

                       Embrace without waver

And all joys and bonds can remain in hearts

If we turn to our Lord in all things

He is the light that keeps us from going mad

From all of the madness which surrounds us. 

                      Turn your heart to the Savior

I often hear the saying, “God will never give you more than you can handle,” in fact, I have heard several say it when they pour their hearts out about trials they are experiencing. It seems to bring a measure of comfort to some, but to others, it is confusing because they feel they are going through much more than they think they can handle.

The other day I heard someone remark that the saying is the adversary’s way of deceiving us; a Christian meme that has been making the rounds for some time but that is in fact a falsehood. I began to research the origins of the saying and found many interesting articles, one of which had the following to say:

“People who say this are usually trying to encourage someone who is suffering or facing a difficult situation. They usually have 1 Corinthians 10:13 in mind. ‘ “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ‘ While the intention to encourage others is good, they are twisting Scripture to make it say something it doesn’t.” (1)

The more I thought about what this article had to say, the more it made sense. Of course God allows us to take on more than we think we can handle! As the article states, He offers a path that will enable us to endure it, and after having gone through the trial, we grow stronger and learn from the experience. How would we grow if we were not engaged in overcoming obstacles and challenges? This taught me to appreciate the struggles I have gone through in the past. Although they were not very pleasant, I can look back and see how my Heavenly Father helped me gain strength through His son, Jesus Christ. I learned so much about myself through every experience, that if I have the faith and courage to reach out to Him, He will always be there.

When we look upon the past history of The Church; the pioneer journals, and the oral histories, we find endless accounts of the trials and suffering that our ancestors endured. Each account is etched with a golden vein of faith that leads to a heart of spiritual strength that could only be built from those trials. Every time they overcame, they became stronger. Such was the case with every faith-based heart that preceded them, from the time of Adam and Eve and onward.

It is so important to study the scriptures and journals of our pioneer ancestors. It is just as important to do our own journaling in these times so that those who come after us will have something of value to turn to when they encounter obstacles and challenging times. I am so grateful to have living apostles and a prophet to lead and guide us in these times; to have scriptures that are filled with stories of those who overcame trials and suffering through faith and endurance.

It is a certainty that we will indeed have more than we think we can handle. As one page of trials turns to another, the pages of the scriptures will help us to learn, grow, and endure–all with the Savior by our side, if we turn to Him.

(1) https://www.insightforliving.ca/read/articles/god-will-never-give-you-more-you-can-handle

Last night, I was watching the final episode of The Chosen, season one. They touched upon a topic that echoes the message I have striven to express in every fireside I have done; forgiveness and letting go of the past so we may fully embrace the Gospel today. In the scene, Jesus and the disciples are on a journey, and some of them begin to grow concerned because they feel they are getting off track. When they start to point out to Jesus that there is a safer way to where they are going, he informs them that they are going to Samaria. The announcement causes grave concern for fear of violence due to the turbulent history between the Samaritans and Jews. Big James comes forward and says,

“But Rabbi, the Samaritans…”

“What is your point, Big James?” Jesus asked.

“These were the people who profaned our temple….” Big James answered, to which Jesus so wisely replied;

“And we destroyed their temple a hundred years ago, and none of you here were present for any of these things.” 

In this statement, Jesus brings attention to the dangers of focusing on negative or violent events of the past, including human error. His message to them expresses the reality that we are surrounded by now; that if focus remains on mistakes of the past and holding grudges, then focus is not on the gospel today and our role in it. This has been the experience of so many who have become caught up in doubt when faced with proven or perceived human error they have discovered in history. Once the door to that doubt is opened, testimonies are weakened, and in many cases lost. 

In journey to Samaria scene, the conversation ends by Jesus simply saying, “we’ll be fine …. follow me.” It is that simple, humans just seem to complicate it. We will surely be fine and need to lay aside concerns about a past that we weren’t even there to witness and see for ourselves. After all, how many of those mistakes are actually true and how many are based on speculation? When we see or hear things that cause doubt or fear as we are in the midst of building the kingdom and gathering Israel, we must remember those words… “we’ll be fine, follow me,” and move onward.

Those who truly know and love the Savior are drawn where the light is strongest. After many generations of living in spiritual darkness, where the light was very dim, there began to stir in the hearts of men a desire for truth to come forth. They yearned for knowledge that conformed more fully to the early teachings of Christ, without the added doctrines of men. Thus, was ushered in the time of the Reformation. Great ministers opened their mouths in defense of the Word of God, laying down their lives in the process. They were persecuted and forced to flee in secret, until the wave of aggression carried them over to the American Colonies in search of religious freedom.

As generations passed in the Colonies, many different religions were organized. They began to quarrel one with the other over who was the most correct. Thus was the pattern of events that led to the Restoration in 1830; the ebb and flow of activity that prompted people to speak and move for reasons they did not completely understand but we see today. When one studies over the trials, joys, successes, sorrows, and enlightenment that coursed through those early pioneers of the Reformation and Restoration, it is clear to see why their testimonies were so strong. In contrast, the times we now live in have created an atmosphere that makes it more difficult for many to maintain an unbreakable testimony, and the adversary knows that he can use the past to shake the foundations of even the strongest fortress of faith. However, we always have at our hand the strongest armor and the most powerful defense if we just turn to the Savior.

Those of you who know my story are acquainted with the many traditions I was raised with; traditions I found later to be skewed or untrue altogether. Unfortunately, there were also some unpleasant incidences and human error I found to be true in Church history; choices made in anger that created discord. But who am I to judge? I wasn’t there and people often say things they do not really mean to when in a temper. I shudder to think of where I would be now had I put aside my testimony because someone in the past or present committed human error, after all the gospel is perfect so why would I leave it due to someone else’s mistake? I was fortunate to have a mother who taught me to move forward if the Holy Ghost is leading me; to keep my eyes, mind and heart on the Savior so acutely that when doubts do creep in as a result of something I read or hear, I do not hesitate to keep on my path. As I have climbed such mountains, I was given peace of mind.

We must always remember that in any organization and history thereof, one will find a great amount of good. However, a foundation that has good intentions will always have mysteries, speculations, hearsay, misconceptions, and mistakes, all of which lead to contention and division– a complex recipe for chaos that is the adversary’s favorite dish to serve. Why? Because it is an endless cycle he can draw us into that will occupy our thoughts to the extent that we become consumed, our minds and hearts twisted until we find our testimonies slipping away. At that point we are no longer focused on the Gospel and he has won.

The peoples of the past were like the people of today are; human beings, most of whom had good intentions but made mistakes along the way. Those people have the same right to forgiveness as we do. It is wrong for us to condemn them or the Church for any errors that may have occurred. If the Savior can forgive them then we most certainly can and should. In these times it is vital to keep our focus on the Gospel today so that we can magnify it and enrich the lives of others through it. My focus remains on the Gospel, spreading the pure love of Christ, and moving forward because all will be well if we just follow Him.

This past year has been a monumental shift on so many levels throughout the world. Not one person has emerged unscathed, and we are still in the midst of the turmoil. The struggles for our health and livelihood are being played out in the arenas of government, social media, and even within our own family circles. Opinions and disputes have divided many, and the noise is so extreme that for some, it has drowned out the still, small voice. Compared to just a few years ago, so much has changed and seems out of character. In fact, society has striven at an accelerated pace to change the character of goodness to a point that it has become unrecognizable. What was once sound moral fiber is unraveling, and it is happening right before our eyes.

We were told of this time, long ago, and here it is before us; the impromptu seasonal weather changes, drought, social and moral decline, deviation from our Father in Heaven, worldwide catastrophic events, and a pandemic. In its true prophetic warning from passages written ages ago, what was once good is now called bad, and what was called bad is now labeled as good.

Matthew 24:8 tells us that these things are just labor pains, a time of warning for those who are listening, so they are prepared for the coming times. So should we live in fear of all of these signs? Goodness, no. Fear is not a characteristic of the Lord. We only fear when we do not know Him or His ways. It is wise to be observant and prepared, but more importantly to live life every day to its fullest. There are those who spend their whole lives focused on end times to such an excess that they forget to live, putting a strain on familial and social relationships. Their minds are so wrapped around the concept of the world ending soon, that they are failing to do the very work they came here for.

During his leadership, Wilford Woodruff, fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was approached by several brethren who wanted his input on the timing of the second coming of the Savior. His answer was one of the wisest I have heard yet.

“I would live as if it were to be tomorrow, but I am still planting cherry trees.”(1) Here President Woodruff expresses the importance of living our daily lives in a functional, interactive, loving, and stable manner, building our spiritual environment in preparation for meeting the Savior, yet actively engaging in our temporal surroundings.

One vital process I believe we should all be involved in, concerning spiritual and temporal happiness in hard times, is the healing of our families from issues of the past and present. It is necessary to be a healthy and united family in order to not only withstand the times that are coming but to be worthy to stand in the presence of our Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ. It is the responsibility of the generations alive today to work their way back, taking an extensive glimpse into their family’s journey to see where the paths have been fragmented. These altered paths have become overtaken by briars and thistles, causing many to deviate and go astray, becoming embittered toward siblings, cousins, parents, and children; a travesty that has built many thick, generational walls. These walls have cut asunder the relationships of many would-be friends and family members.

If there has been any time that the need was great to bring our families together it is now. Without that bond, there will be many who will scatter in chaos as times grow even darker. The change comes through forgiving and loving ourselves and one another. As we do so, we can let go of the issues we have been holding on to for generations. We cannot cling to those issues and the Savior at the same time, so it is vital to let the issues go and embrace Christ. As we do so we will be filled with the light of his pure love and our wounds will heal. If we will just take that step, He will hold us up and show us how to get through all of our trials, pain, and sorrow. We will become whole, and the reward will be a fullness of joy. Elder D. Todd Christopherson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said of the Savior:

“We can turn to Him as we seek unity and peace within because He understands. He understands the struggle, and He also understands how to win the struggle.” (2)

I have always felt Christ in my life, even as a child. I encountered many difficulties while growing up, and it was not uncommon for me to talk to him in search of comfort. When I felt that there was no other friend to be had, I knew that He was there and would never leave me alone. Having the comfort of that bond has saved me in many ways from going down paths that would have endangered my spirit, and at times when I did fall by the wayside, His hand was always extended to help pull me up, I had only to reach for it.

The values I have gained through the knowledge of His love has made it possible for me to process the darkness that has surrounded members of both my father and mother’s family, allowing me to sift through the bitterness to find truth. It has been a long journey, filled with unexpected surprises, pain, fear, and hesitations but I have always walked forward because I knew I was supposed to. I knew that in all things I would be guided by the Holy Ghost if I had faith and would never be led astray. Even though at times there was no indication as to where I was going or what lay ahead, I have never been disappointed and always felt at peace.

This journey is ongoing. I am still learning and discovering as we should all be. Knowledge never decreases unless we allow it to. It is so interesting for me to look back upon the pages of what has brought me here, to examine my life. It puts into perspective the awareness that our Father in Heaven plans things out carefully, and that we are free to choose whether or not to go in directions in which we are prompted. How we choose defines our lives at that moment and determines whether or not we will increase or decrease in spiritual growth.

As I look back, I have seen the sorrow of electing to go my own way because of fear, the wisdom of choosing what is right, and the fulfillment of following the promptings of the still, small voice. In this strange and ever-changing season, it is so important to keep the Savior in our hearts at all times; to gather our families, to be aware of our surroundings yet mindful of staying focused on what we are here to do, and always rely on the Holy Ghost in all things–no matter how scary the world makes things seem. Remember that the Savior is your friend at all times, and He is always there with arms outstretched.

I learned from my mother at a very young age, that the Holy Ghost trumps everything. No matter what questions arise concerning contrasts in history, imperfect human behavior, the skewed perceptions of others, and how dark the world seems around us–this Gospel is true because the Holy Ghost has born witness to it, and He is the one who will never lie to us; indeed, the Holy Ghost trumps everything.

1. Evans, Richard L., “The Power and Privilege of Repentance.”
   Conference Report, April 1950,
   pp. 102-106

2. Christofferson, D. Todd, “That They May Be One in Us.”
General Conference. October 2002
<https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/that-they-

It feels like I have been buried these past two years. First, a monumental move to North Carolina, getting settled, getting hired on at a school, making our way to comfortable, and then BOOM! Covid 19. I had already put a pause on posting due to health issues and then everything else happened, but now I am coming up for air even if I have to push past stone to do it. I am tired of stumbling blocks and am striving to learn how to jump over them 🙂 So, I am back to monthly posts, and if I can work up to it, bi-monthly posts! But just for a “hello, I am back,” I wanted to start with the following little tidbit that anyone who goes to Nauvoo should know:

Hidden Cemetery

Did you know that there is a hidden cemetery in Nauvoo at the end of Parley Street, not too far from where the Saints crossed the river during the exodus? The picture above shows the entrance, which is almost directly across from the pavilion by the Joseph and Brigham statue. Once you reach the cemetery, there is a spot by a fence where you can take a beautiful photograph of the Nauvoo Temple.

I hope you enjoyed finding something new to discover in Nauvoo! I will be posting later in the month. Until then, I wish you a very blessed day!

 

 

Have you been looking at our world lately thinking, “Could it get any worse?” In Alma chapter 31, we see a sequence of events that is all too familiar,  just in a different era. There are the Zoramites, an apostate people who have denied Christ, missionaries who are filled with the spirit and engaged in trying to reclaim the people, and the way prayer and supplication help them process the trials and stresses involved with living in such an environment. Verse 26 in particular, caught my eye.

“And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried, saying: O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?”

I am sure since Alma walked this earth that every generation which followed has cried out such a prayer, yet here we are today, in one of the blackest times the eyes of man have seen, and the souls of godly people are in mourning. Never has it been more apparent that what was once bad is now considered good, and what was once good is now considered bad. The very laws of God are being projected as outdated, racist, abusive, and deemed to be an offense to what society craves.

Our world has become an environment that limits the Christian on what they can say and how they say it, yet everything subversive, abusive, and hateful to God, has no limitations. I ask you, where is the balance in this? If one is free to embrace and promote evil, then why is not the other free to embrace and promote good? We are allowed to promote good but we are cautioned or influenced to leave the name of God or Christ out of it. For now, we are allowed to embrace what religion we so choose, but we are limited in what we can say for much can be construed as hate speech.

What of the situations that we come into contact with daily? The children who are being neglected and abused, the ever-rising crime rates in the social climate, immigration issues, racial tensions, deteriorating values and standards in our government, the escalating tensions on a worldwide level, and the many situations that conflict so dramatically with God’s law. Often it seems like the darkness and stress will envelop us all and crush us in one fell swoop. At times like this, it is evident why the scriptures are so necessary in our lives. By these sacred texts we know there are others who have come before us; people who experienced heavy trials and by staying faithful, endured to become stronger and progress onward. Alma is a good example of how we today are to handle living in a world that can often be at odds with the gospel. Let’s look at what he did.

Alma was observant and took stock of the situation in his midst.

23 “Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.”

24 “Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.”

5 “Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.”

Alma then pours his heart out unto the Lord, in agony of what he is seeing. His concern is for the people, and he prays for strength for him and his brethren, not just to be able to withstand what is going on around them, but to have the strength to endure it AND bring these people back unto Christ!

30 “O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.”

31 “O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.”

32 “O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulekand Zeezrom, and also my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.”

33 “Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.”

34 “O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.”

From Alma, we learn the importance of not turning our backs on the falling condition of our world and those getting caught up in it. Instead, we are to be amongst them, be their friends, be an example, and most importantly; to love them with the pure love of Christ. One of the reasons we are on this earth is to use our gifts and talents to bring people unto Christ; quite the challenge when we have the adversary in our midst at the same time, but it is more than possible and worth every moment we can spend striving to achieve it. 

So, if you have a voice, use it; sing, speak, write. If you have the gift of art, use it; paint, draw, animate, be creative and expand. If you excel in compassionate service, go and do; visit the sick, volunteer in nursing homes and schools, help those in need. There are so many ways to bring people unto Christ, and it is a universal endeavor; no matter what church one belongs to, they carry the same responsibility and different talents to achieve what they have come here for. Even if we all differ in doctrine on some levels, there is that one point of unity that we have. Go and do!

Summer is definitely here; she had no hesitancy whatsoever in emerging on the heels of a spring which spent barely a week or two in our neck of the woods due to the slothfulness of winter’s exit. It leads one to scratch their heads in wonder at what the seasons are about. Are they confused? Having a natural schedule they should know when to arrive and when to exit but as the years have passed it seems as if the weather patterns are off and the climate is in unrest.

As I was musing over the weather it brought to mind how the changing seasonal patterns parallel the change in our social and spiritual climate. We live in a noisy world today, filled with much division and contention. Such reflections moved me to remember a passage of Joseph’s life when he had to deal with division in his own family.

Division is the adversary’s greatest weapon. He has used it throughout history in an effort to thwart Heavenly Father’s plan, and the children of God have received the heaviness of its effect. Many minds can be so consumed with the weight of it that they forget to whom they should look to in order to find balance in the face of affliction and chaos. When division came into Joseph’s own family, he handled it with great humility and reason. I have always looked to that example when I am ever faced with contention and division.

In 1836, William Smith had organized a school of debate. Joseph knew nothing of this; in fact, he only found out when he walked in during one of the sessions. His interest was piqued as he sat and listened. He thought it a good thing to have healthy conversations between those who disagreed upon certain topics. He felt that if the debates were in the spirit of goodness that it was a means of gaining knowledge. Joseph decided to attend the next gathering.

It was on a Wednesday, December 18th, and Joseph had joined in to listen to a debate that had continued from the Saturday previous. The meeting had moments of heated discussion, which led Joseph to feel that continuing the school of debate might not be good for it would stir tempers to a point that would lead to contention and division. To this William became enraged and would not be calmed, physically attacking Joseph and causing further injury to his side which had been damaged in a previous attack by the mob. Joseph wrote in his journal that he could barely sit or stand without assistance. He also wrote;

“…my heart is pained within me because of the difficulties that exist in my father’s family.” (1)

Consumed with sorrow over how he had acted against his brother, William wrote to Joseph asking for forgiveness. His words are very telling in how the adversary moves upon us in a manner that is so deceptive that we do not realize that it is an evil spirit which causes us to be contentious.

William calls to attention in his letter, that he is known for his rise to passion but he acknowledges that he was not himself when it happened.

“When I reflect upon the injury I have done to you I must confess I do not know what I have been about..” (2) In this statement, it is clear that something came over him. Then William writes that he is unworthy to be called a brother, “…after coming to myself and considering upon what I have done.” (3)  In both of these lines, William is describing what happens when one is taken over by darkness. Saying that he did not know what he was about and that he came back to himself is indicative of a power taking someone over. In a tender response, Joseph willingly forgives William, but there are also words of caution in the letter concerning William’s behavior.

“…however hasty or harsh I may have spoken at any time to you, it has been done for the express purpose to warn, exhort, admonish, and rescue you from falling into difficulties and sorrows which I foresaw you plunging into by giving way to that wicked spirit, which you call your passions, which you should curb and break down and put under your feet, which if you do not you never can be saved, in my view, in the Kingdom of God.” (4)

Joseph has plainly said in his letter to William that his tendency to rise to a passion is indeed a wicked spirit but even more important is his admonition to conquer those passions, for not doing so could prevent his entering the Kingdom of God. This powerful statement has the support of the 2nd greatest commandment which is found in Matthew 22:39-40

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (5)

All the law and the prophets hang upon these two commandments, meaning that if we fail to abide by those two commandments all else is lost, and we have no hope of entering the Kingdom of God. It matters not how many other marvelous works we do or that we love and help many people, if we are hating even one and not striving to overcome our “passions” against that person then we are not doing all we can to employ the 2nd greatest commandment.  1st John 4:20, 21 breaks it down even further;

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. (6)

On January 1, 1836, Joseph wrote, “…My heart is filled with gratitude to God, that He has preserved my life and the lives of my family while another year has rolled away. We have been sustained and upheld in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation and exposed to all afflictions, temptations, and misery that are incident to human life…” (7)

Joseph speaks of the wickedness of his generation, oh how that wickedness has spread and evolved into a greater darkness in our generation! Division and contention have become rife among the Saints in these times. One but has to read through all of the scriptures to see a pattern of division and contention,  making these two ploys the adversary’s choicest weapons. It falls to us to rise up to the challenge of recognizing when our passions are being aroused to anger and calling upon the Lord to help us calm them and replace chaos with peace, contention with good will, and division with unity.

Indeed, the weather does have a pattern. The seasons will come and go that is a surety, they have no choice for they are designed to perform such a task. As such, storms will build up and express themselves upon people who scurry to find shelter. But we have a choice whether or not to let storms build within ourselves. We have but to reach for the Savior’s hand to get help in tempering those storms, creating a peace within ourselves so that we may love one another.

 

1. Jesse, Dean, ed.  Personal Writings of Joseph Smith:
        Deseret Book, 2002.  (2nd ed. pp 138-143)
2. IBID
3. IBID
4. IBID 
5. King James Bible. Intellectual Reserve Inc., 2018.  www.lds.org,
   https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/22?lang=eng
6. King James Bible. Intellectual Reserve Inc., 2018.  www.lds.org,      https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/1-jn?lang=eng
7. Jesse, Dean, ed.  Personal Writings of Joseph Smith:
          Deseret Book, 2002.  (2nd ed. pp 138-143)

 

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Two weeks ago we had a surprise snow, the heaviest of the winter. We thought spring had come because we had experienced some days of nice, sunny weather and temperatures ranging in the upper 60’s, then suddenly, on a Sunday morning, it started; a snowstorm hit and did not stop until we had a good six inches of snow. I was not upset about it, I love snow; however, I was quite ready for spring.

Toward the afternoon I went to the kitchen sink and looked out at all of the little birds looking for food. I noticed that their feeder was empty, so I rushed to the utility room and got some seed to put in the feeder. After about fifteen minutes it was surrounded by a deluge of birds of many different colors; even a woodpecker swooped down, chasing the rest of them away so that he could have full range over the feast. I grabbed my camera and took some shots because they were all so pretty with the contrasting color of the snow.

As I snapped frame after frame, I began to notice something. These birds were not just foraging for food, they were also looking for raw materials to build their nests even though the temperature was freezing and the snow was falling heavily. I watched them in amazement, captivated by their activity. I watched one get some food then fly into the bushes, emerging with strands of building material to take to its destination above the lantern shaped light attached to our house.

Nature is an amazing teacher, these birds know what time of year it is and what needs to be done and they do it, no matter what obstacles are cast down upon their path. We are so unlike nature, so easily moved from our paths and destinations by unexpected storms. Today’s world pulls us in so many directions that we seem to give up far too soon when we actually have it within us to keep going; we just need to round up our shoulders and move forward. I learned a lot in those few moments; each bird taught me something about preparedness, survival, and the need to keep moving forward—always. Just keep moving no matter how many storms come because at length the Lord will give you the sun and all will be well, but if you do not move the storm will consume you.

 

We live in a very busy, noisy, dark world today, and it is a hard generation for the youth to grow up in. They are surrounded by many voices which proclaim the laws of God to be outdated, wrong, or even prejudice. But there are many pockets of light if one knows where to look, and that is where it becomes necessary for us to spend adequate time in research, studying scriptures, and prayer. In doing so we gain the knowledge we need to be in tune with the Holy Ghost so that we might be guided properly through all things.

Our own flesh was given a spirit for the purpose of coming to this earth, gaining wisdom, proclaiming the Gospel, redeeming the dead, and perfecting ourselves so that we might dwell with our Father in heaven. In that process, we are charged with keeping the delicate balance of living in this world without becoming of this world. Our spirits were pure and clean when we received them and as babes we carried them as such until the world began its efforts to fashion them to its own desires. It is during this phase in our lives that we must maintain and build the spirit we have been given in righteousness, resisting the pull of the world that would cause us to vary from the good path.

Since the flesh is subject to the spirit, whatever condition we expose our spirits to, be it of darkness or light, will determine what course our spirits take. By extension our flesh will conform to the change we have put upon our spirits. This will occur in forms of temptation, thought process, righteous or unrighteous choices, etc. One example is listening to dark music. The listener begins to change in their disposition, their countenance grows more grim, they dress darkly, they do not smile as often as they used to, and are even drawn to dark behaviors. Their outlook also becomes negative and rebellious. In light of such spiritual challenges, what then are we doing to shape our spiritual selves and condition them in the ways of our Lord so that we might be able to counter darkness accordingly?

Throughout the scriptures are laid the blueprints of how we must proceed in moving forward in the light of Christ. In that endeavor, we become worthy to dwell with our Father in heaven. Through scripture study and prayer we see what a responsibility is placed upon us, not just toward ourselves but as parents, in making sure that our children have the spiritual and temporal intelligence to choose the right path in any situation as they walk through this worldly path. Those same scriptures and prayers also hold us up in the face of trial and adversity. We have witnessed the value of scripture study and prayer throughout the history of the world, especially in the Restored Gospel. Those strengths are there for us today and should become a part of our daily lives.

I have found every day to be an easier and more balanced process when incorporating scripture study and prayer in my life, and I am grateful for the Gospel which provides so many avenues to problem-solving, strength and endurance in an everchanging world.