December 7, 2010

I opened my scriptures to D&C 127:1-3 and there read the words of Joseph Smith speaking of some persecution he had been enduring. He said, basically, that all the persecution he has experienced doesn't make any sense unless he was "ordained from the foundation of the world for some good end, or bad, as you may choose to call it. Judge ye for yourselves." I like his attitude towards his afflictions. He really had all trust in the Lord and knew that no matter what, God would "mete out a just recompense of reward" to all those who oppressed not only him, but the Saints as well. He says to judge for ourselves whether his work was good or bad. I believe he suffered the persecution he did because the powers of darkness were working to thwart the work he was doing. I am grateful that all he set in motion is still moving forward and that I have had the opportunity and blessing of being part of it. I am thankful for my membership in this Church and I believe this Church holds the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, including the authority to act in the name of God. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and all that he did, all that he sacrificed. His life has profoundly impacted mine all these hundreds of years later and I am grateful for that.