A short time ago I had a conversation with an individual that was wondering how much influence the Lord really has in his life. It’s because of that conversation I want to address that topic.
I testify that those that are righteous have and will always be given assistance in their times of need. Far too often we think we know what is best in our lives and for our eternal progression – not always understanding what the Lord knows and how it could give us the strenght, growth and faith that is required to reach our full potential.
To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord stated:
And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. (D&C 122:7)
Brothers and sisters - I don’t know about you – but I don’t see these things as being for my good. But they would defiantly be unforgettable experiences.
This is the same young man that at the age of seven was faced with the amputation of his leg - there was a possibility that it could be saved.
Was it a coincidence that Doctor Nathan Smith the only man in America who could have saved his leg - lived less than eight miles from his home? This was in an area of the country where there were still friontier type of conditions. Shortly after this event both of them moved to different parts of the country.
The operation was difficult and extremely painful – it is a testimony of the resolve and courage of the young Joseph Smith.
The Smith family moved a few miles west to the state of Vermont. It’s interesting to learn from the history of that area, that after they arrived, there were three winters in a row where the snowfall was far above normal, making farming difficult and almost nonproductive, this failure, causing the Smith family to move west to up state New York to the Palmyra area, where they hoped to better their condition. This brought Joseph to the Hill Cumorah area, where he needed to be.
If those three years in Vermont had been productive and easy - would they have wanted to go where the Lord wanted them to be? Or would they have been as humble or prepared to receive the challenges that accompanied the restoration.
These were just the challenges of his youth – for the rest of his life he was persecuted, lies were spread about his charactor and honesty. Some of his greatest critices were those who once embrassed his message. Despite these challenges – or maybe partly because of them them – D&C 135:3. 7
“Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. … He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. … Their innocent blood … is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach”
There is no doubt that the Lord guided and prepared the life and experiences of the Prophet Joseph Smith. But such preparations and assistance is the right and privilage of all followers of truth and rightousness. All men, woman and children throught the blessings and administration of the Aaronic Preisthood have the right to the administring of angels.
Not all events in our lives are guided and directed by the spirit – part of this mortal experience is for us to learn and grow through our agency or personal choices. In Nephi’s words, “the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.” Be assured that if we remain faithful we will never have challenges greater than our capacity to overcome them – nor will the Lord forsake us, and when necessary he will take us by the hand and guide us throught the challenges we face. These events can be as miraculous as those surrounding the life the Savior and his followers throughout time.
Sometimes it's hard to explain the how’s, why’s and where’s in ours life’s, or to understand how much the Lord is guiding and directing each of us. Elder Bednar quoting Nephi, called many of these events the tender mercies of God.
More than thirty years ago I was serving as a missionary in the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission. I had only been in the mission field for a few months - when I received a phone call from the president. It was during the middle of a month – a number of weeks from a scheduled transfer. He asked me, as soon as possible, to go to a different area. When I got there I was to contact the ward mission leader and to give the president a call. I was informed there had been some problems and that he wanted me to be the district leader and to do the best I could in rectifying the situation.
This new location was hundreds of miles away. I remember during the long bus ride – I questioned why I had been assigned to take care of the situation. After reaching the area I followed my instructions and met with the ward mission leader and called the mission president. Sadly not everyone is faithful in their responsibilities in the kingdom of God, this also applies to missionaries. There were three Elders transferred and one young man was sent home because of his actions. I learned a lot about the situation and events that had taken place – most of which were of a financial nature, there had been some unique behavior from a couple of missionaries, many of their actions had become public knowledge. There is no one else that knows more about the events that had transpired than I did. I did the best I could to clean-up and restore the confidence of those in the area and the reputation of the church. But what I had done could have been done by most of the Elders in the mission - I viewed it only as an opportunity to learn and become a better missionary.
Seventeen years later I was given the opportunity to serve as a Bishop. This opportunity came because of the formation of a new ward, which took place the same day I was sustained as its Bishop. I had been serving in a singles ward at the time and didn’t know most of the member of our new ward. For our first Sunday worship we had our sacrament meeting and then because there were no teachers called for Sunday school or any other organizations - we had a linger-longer to give everyone the opportunity to get to know each other. What better way is there to allow the members to meet and greet each other than over a stack of cookies? During this time I tried to talk to as many people as possible.
I remember walking up to a group of couples that were talking about where the men had served missions. Politely they ask if I had gone on a mission and where I had been able to serve. I answered the question and told them when I was there. One young women in the group asked if I had served in a curtain area – which also happened to be the location I an talking about. I told her that I had and loved it. She then took me by surprise and asked if I knew an Elder, calling him by name. I hadn’t heard that name for more than seventeen year – it was the Elder that had many of the problems and had been sent home. With a surprised tone I told her I know more about that Elder than anyone in the world and that he was a piece of work. At that time someone called my name and I needed to go to another part of the church – I excused myself and went to where I was needed.
Brothers and sisters - Personal revelation is just that, personal and unique to each individual. Over the next week or so this young lady continued to receive manifestations from the spirit that she needed to come see her Bishop. Seventeen year earlier this woman then a young girl was living in part of the area this Elder was serving. An Elder is trusted because of his calling – he broke that trust by touching her inappropriately on more than one occasion. She was scared as any young girl would have been and tried to tell her parents – but sadly they didn’t believe her because he was a missionary. He was then sent home because of the other things that happened which I was given the responsibility to rectify. She decided at that time that she would never tell another soul about the things that had taken place during that time. Despite her silence, these events continued to haunt her for those many years. Until her new Bishop told her he knew what kind of missionary he was – and then the spirit told her that I would believe what she needed to tell me.
After a couple of weeks she made an appointment to come and see me – the spirit was so strong and helped her to feel the love of the Lord and the power of the atonement. I assured her that not only did I believe her but also it was in complete character with the other thing I knew had happened at that time. It wasn’t her fault nor was she to blame herself anymore for the things that had taken place. We ended that appointment with a priesthood blessing. After she left my office I fell to my knees and thank my Father in Heaven for the marvelous miracle that had just taken place. I envisioned seventeen years earlier a faithful mission president on his knees in humble pray – asking which of his hundreds of missionaries he should sent to take care of the problems that had developed. I even think he would have been surprised at the answer he received, perhaps even asking again. Yes there were many missionaries that could have successfully taken care of these problems – but there was only one that would someday be the Bishop of this little girl. She only lived in our ward for a short period of time. I believe that they too had been guided to this location for this very purpose. I could take that a step further – there were many individuals that could have been the Bishop of this ward at that time as well. But the Lord inspired those in authority that it was suppose to be me at that time.
The Lord knows the beginning from the end - He is and will continue to prepare circumstances and individuals to help each of us in our times of need, sometimes we are prepared to help those with whom we will come in contact with. It’s our opportunity and responsibility to be worthy enough to be used as a tool in his hands.
Do we have the faith and confidence that the Lord will provide the means for our procession and exaltation? That it’s his time table and wisdom that is superior to ours.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught where that faith comes from.
“Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith”
As with all gifts of the spirit – they are given to those that Love the Lord and put him first in their lives. As he stated “If you love me, keep my commandments. “
The questions that we should then ask – or evaluate are
- Do I have the faith necessary to trust the Lord in all of my doing?
- Am I being obedient enough to receive the guidance, direction and faith needed to reach my full potential?
- What areas do I need to work on – to allow the spirit to be with me and my family?
- Am I accepting the gifts of the Savior to help me repent of my sins and receive the cleansing power of the atonement?
The influence and blessings of the Lord are all over our lives and circumstances. We need to take the time to look for them and express graditude and thanks for our many blessings.
A testimony is a manifestation of the Holy Ghost of the truthfulness of an event, priciple or doctrine. The most importantant function of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of God the Eternal Father and of the Savior Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest testimonies ever give, was by the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded in D&C: 76 22-24
“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God”
I add my testimony to his – that God lives and loves each of us, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world - He has paid the price for our happiness and exaltation. That we are indeed his Sons and Daughters. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ – Amen.
