Good afternoon everyone. Not much happened this week, so I'm going to do something different with my email.
Thursday, June 27, 2019 was the 175th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Due to this
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| Manti temple lit up at night |
event, I want to give a tribute to them. I want to share my thoughts and bear my testimony on the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. I know it's not exactly what all of you are expecting or wanting, but I hope you will read this email and ponder about his life.
Joseph Smith was a phenomenal man, who from early on in his life knew he would go through persecution and be hated by many people. As stated in Joseph Smith history 1:20, "…It seems as though the adversary was aware at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom... Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?" From the early days of his life, he knew his life would grow up to not be normal. In addition, Joseph Smith history 1:33, Moroni tells him, "… that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people." And we know that that prophecy has come to pass. To this day, Joseph Smith is admired by millions of people, however, he is hated by many and many people continue to try and disprove Joseph.
Since the early days of his life, he brought about many great works. He translated the Book of Mormon, had priesthood keys given to him by ancient prophets, restored the true gospel and church of Jesus Christ, introduced the Word of Wisdom, temple ordinances, and many more things. He has done many things to contribute to the world and the church. But, this didn't go without persecution and pain.
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| Elder Howes and I on the hike last week |
As we know from history, Joseph Smith was tarred and feathered multiple times. (Read Saints) Not only did he get tarred and feathered, but much of his persecution and torture came from those who he once called his friends. Those he trusted the most betrayed him and turned on him. There were many people who thought he was a fallen prophet and allowed his enemies to grab hold of him. He strived to spread the truth and do good, but he continued to face opposition. I, personally, am always amazed that he was able to survive so much and continue on. Even when he had little support from those around him, he pushed on. The new members of the church faced much persecution with him. They had their homes burned and trashed. They were chased out of their towns by mobs and those who were ignorant to their beliefs and their doctrine.
I am grateful for those who stayed strong and didn't give up. Events, such as Hawn's Mill, prove that those in the early days, did not respect much of them. During Hawn's Mill, mobs brutally attacked and killed many people who positioned themselves in a mill to defend themselves, including children. One of them picked up a young boy and shot him in the head. Later a mob attacked said, "It was a damned shame to kill those little boys." Which another responded, "Nit's make lice." (Saints page 350.) We see that they had no respect for human life. The mob attackers showed no mercy or love to those who just wanted their right to freedom of religion. Their constitutional rights were constantly attacked and stripped from them. Mayors, governors, and even the president did not seek to help them and oftentimes encouraged the attacks on the "Mormons" who were seen as a threat to others.
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Elder Clark, Elder Dunn and I. I don't
know what Elder Dunn was doing. |
One of the darkest times of his life was when he was thrown into Liberty Jail. His former apostles and best friends William McLellin, Thomas Marsh, William Phelps, and Orson Hyde were part of the reasons he was thrown into Liberty Jail and faced other persecutions with a few others. They betrayed him and testified against him, using false charges. They only did this because of a few disagreements they had with the prophet. They were not willing to except some revelations that he received from our Heavenly Father. While in Liberty Jail, he was fed raw meat, given a bucket to do his business, and many more things. He froze most nights, starved most of the time, and lived in outrageous and miserable conditions. For about 6 months, he lived in these conditions. I couldn’t imagine having to live in these conditions for 6 months and continue to stay positive during these times.
Something that sticks out is that Joseph forgave William Phelps. A couple years later, William wrote Joseph and apologized for all he had done, especially for causing so much pain and affliction to fall upon the saints. Although, Joseph could have responded negatively and turned his back, instead he forgave him and said, "Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, for friends at first are friends again at last." (you can find that in Saints or https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/letter-to-william-w-phelps-22-july-1840/2). They moved on and became friends again. Joseph forgave and showed others he was willing to put the past behind them.
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However the cup has been drunk, the will of our heavenly Father has been done, and we are yet alive for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilidge to be delivered from the power of the Adversary— be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and again take your stand among the saints of the ...
www.josephsmithpapers.org
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Now in order to get this finished quicker, I shall fast forward.
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The vents to keep the room cold
where we had dinner. I really wanted
to play in them. |
Toward the end of his life, Joseph knew he would not live to be forty. He knew he would die a martyr. Joseph accepted his fate and faced it. As he finally left Nauvoo and headed towards Carthage jail, he said he was going as a lamb to the slaughter. He knew he would not leave the jail alive. And around 5 pm on June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith was killed by a mob. An innocent man whose only goal was to spread the truth and restore the true church. I know that he was a prophet and that he truly did see Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. I love and respect him so much and I know he truly died a martyr's death.
As for Hyrum, I admire him for the dedication and loyalty he had for his younger brother.
From the very beginning, he believed in the words of his brother and beginning, he believed in the words of his brother and stood by his side. He went with his younger brother to jail knowing he would be killed along with his brother. He knew he would not survive. However, he decided to be there for his brother and support him to the end. This is one of the biggest examples of brotherly love out there.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith died as martyrs and they left behind a huge legacy. They left behind their families and loved ones. They left behind the restored church of Jesus Christ. They died with a testimony in our Savior, Jesus Christ, a testimony that they never denied. They died as innocent men and they need to be remembered. They deserve to be remembered, they deserve to be loved, they deserve to be respected, they deserve to be honored, they deserve all this because of what he did.
I am on a mission today to defend the life of Joseph Smith and to share his life and legacy with the World. I am on a mission today to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am on a mission today to share with others my testimony of our Savior. I cannot be a member of this church without standing up for Joseph Smith. I do not worship him because I only worship our Heavenly Father, however, I do have lots of respect for what Joseph Smith did. I hope all of you can gain a testimony of our Savior and for Joseph Smith.
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This squirrel legitimately kept following
us. We would stop and it would stop
and then turn the other way. Then we
would start walking again and it would
follow us again. Cutest thing ever. |
I want to leave my testimony with all of you. I know we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants the best for all of us. And because he loves us I know he sent his Son to die on the cross for us so that we can be saved. I know we can be forgiven because of the atonement. I know that because of Jesus Christ and his ministry that Heavenly Father had another testament of his life created for him. Which is why I know the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God and truly does testify of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that because the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith translated it and was the first prophet of this dispensation. I know he restored the priesthood of Jesus Christ on the earth today and restored his church. I know that because of priesthood keys and authority that President Russell M Nelson is the prophet today and does hold all the keys of the church. And these things I leave with you all today. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
