In These Days

Lately I have been thinking of the things that are going on around us in the world. The calamities and wickedness. Even now it's more important to grab a hold of that iron rod as in Lehi's dream and move forward with faith. Even though it's murky all around us and we can't seem to see an end to the filth that surrounds us have hope that it will end. The gospel and doctrines have never changed and Heavenly Father never changes. Thus we know that the gospel is a safe haven during tumultuous times when our world is ever changing around us in moral values.

I recently had a dear college friend of mine point out some lies that are being posted on the Internet about her family in regards to Prop 8. My heart is sad at at the words and actions some people have done to spread lies in hopes of deceiving a few more people. My mind then began to wander through scriptures I have read and heard and I began my search. There are wonderful promises given to us when we endure persecutions of any kind. The following verses from section 98 in the Doctrine and Covenants have wonderful promises.

23 Now, I speak unto you concerning your families—if men will smite you, or your families, once, and ye bear it patiently and revile not against them, neither seek revenge, ye shall be rewarded;
24 But if ye bear it not patiently, it shall be accounted unto you as being meted out as a just measure unto you.
25 And again, if your enemy shall smite you the second time, and you revile not against your enemy, and bear it patiently, your reward shall be an hundredfold.
26 And again, if he shall smite you the third time, and ye bear it patiently, your reward shall be doubled unto you four-fold;
27 And these three testimonies shall stand against your enemy if he repent not, and shall not be blotted out.


Then I was remembering the time my family visited Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith was prisoner and how he cried unto to the Lord to know how long this suffering was to go on. The Lord's response brings great peace unto my soul. It is found in Doctrine & Covenants Section 122.

5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7 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.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

Persecutions are hard. Yet, how would we be prepared for the eternities if we never passed through the fires? That's the beauty of this time on earth. To know the sorrow and joy. To know pain and happiness. To experience the opposites so that we might fully understand the beauties of the eternities.

I pray that the gospel may continue to be brought to those who are ready, who seek the light, and who want to know Christ. I want the world to know of the goodness of the whole gospel. Pray for missionary experiences. Pray for the Spirit so that you may know what to say and do to help bring someone the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ our Savior lives! I know that He loves each of us and is very aware of how we are feeling. He laughs with us in our joys and cries with us in our heartaches. The times we may feel the farthest away from Him is when He is very close. Very close. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph was a good man who helped bring the fullness of the gospel back to the earth. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. I know that Pres. Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and if we heed his counsel along with the other general authorities we cannot go astray. I testify of these truths to you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.