Lesson: Chapter 7, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Witnesses of Jesus Christ
This lesson was a very long one and was not finished because of time. If you can read the whole lesson from the link above, that would be great.
From the time he was very young, Joseph Fielding Smith knew that his family had a special connection to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was inspired by the example of his grandfather Hyrum Smith, an older brother and loyal friend to the Prophet Joseph. Hyrum served faithfully at his brother’s side as a leader in the Church. He also helped with the publication of the Book of Mormon and was called to be one of the Eight Witnesses of the book. Then he shared an assurance that all people could receive the same testimony: “Every soul upon the face of the earth who has a desire to know it has the privilege, for every soul that will humble himself, and in the depths of humility and faith, with a contrite spirit, go before the Lord, will receive that knowledge just as surely as he lives.”
Two themes stand out uppermost always in my mind. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet called and appointed to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Sister Bosh then had the sisters compare Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith.
Jesus Christ Joseph Smith
Spoke words for God Restored Christ's church
Atoned for our Sins Made mistakes
Saved us from sin Died a martyr
God's son Prophet
Perfect Translated the Book of Mormon
How can the ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith influence our testimony of the Savior and the His gospel. Since the beginning of the restoration and the first vision, the spreading of the gospel has happened so quickly and has grown in a short time.
In
recent years there has been an almost unbelievable expansion of the
work in Mexico, in the Central American countries, and in South America. And Asia is
now [in 1971] being opened to the message of the gospel in a way that
surpasses anything of the past. The Church is becoming established in
Japan and Korea, in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and we are getting started in
Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Technology is a blessing to those involved in the missionary efforts.See the article HERE that featured a picture of Elder Parrett. This was from the article.
The Lord called Joseph Smith to stand at the head of this glorious dispensation.
There
is no doubt in my mind that the Lord raised the Prophet Joseph Smith up
and gave him revelation, commandment, opened the heavens to him, and
called upon him to stand at the head of this glorious dispensation. I am
perfectly satisfied in my mind that in his youth, when he went out to
pray, he beheld and stood in the actual presence of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ; in my
mind there is no doubt—I know this to be true. I know that he later
received visitations from Moroni, the Aaronic Priesthood under the hands
of John the Baptist, the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of
Peter, James, and John, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints was organized on the sixth day of April 1830, by
divine command.12
The Lord prepared Joseph Smith to stand at the head of this “great and marvelous work about to come forth unto the children of men,”
Sister Bosh then discussed that the frontal lobe of a person is not fully developed until the age of 18 or so. This part of the brain controls behavior, self control, decision-making, problem solving, and planning. I guess we can't blame our kids for their actions until they are at least 20. :) However Joseph Smith went to the Sacred Grove in prayer and received his first revelation at age 14, and Moroni visited him at age 17. He didn't receive the plates until he was 21.
The Lord did not select one who was versed in the learning and traditions of the world. His ways are not the ways of man, neither are his thoughts like the thoughts of men [see Isaiah 55:8]. One taught in the learning of the world would have had too much to unlearn of the traditions and philosophy of men. In his great wisdom the Lord chose an unsophisticated child—a boy fourteen years of age. Unto this youth the Lord revealed the fulness of the gospel, which the world would not receive because of unbelief. Through years of heavenly guidance—for he was instructed by messengers from the presence of the Lord—this young man, Joseph Smith, was prepared to direct the work of the restoration of the Gospel and the building of the Kingdom of God.
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were united in life and in death. They had a special relationship. Though Hyrum was six years older. They shared blessings and sorrows as brothers.
Joseph Smith said: “Brother Hyrum, what a faithful heart you have got! Oh may the Eternal Jehovah crown eternal blessings upon your head, as a reward for the care you have had for my soul! Oh how many are the sorrows we have shared together; and again we find ourselves shackled with the unrelenting hand of oppression. Hyrum, thy name shall be written in the book of the Law of the Lord, for those who come after thee to look upon, that they may pattern after thy works.”
Again
the Prophet said: “I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were
like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a
lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness and
humility of Christ and I love him with that love that is stronger than
death, for I never had occasion to rebuke him, nor he me.”
Sister Bosh then ended: President Smith told of family members who helped nurture his childhood testimony of Joseph Smith’s mission. What can we do to help children gain a testimony of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith? (I am going to leave that to you to ponder and answer for yourself. :)
Closing Song: Praise to the Man, pg 27
No comments:
Post a Comment