Thinkin' about Joseph Smith, The Prophet of the Restoration

I have a missionary companion that I am currently serving with who had the experience of flying to upstate New York to the Sacred Grove, where 175 years earlier a vision had taken place that would change the course of religion everywhere. In the Sacred Grove, the 14-year-old Joseph Smith - looking for an answer to a question and simply following scripture - excercised his faith and called upon God to know and understand which church was true.

This had stemmed from the religious confusion that had so heavily struck his family. His account is as follows:

"Some time in the second year after our removal to Manchester, there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, ^a“Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!” Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist.

"...a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued—priest contending against priest, and convert against convert; so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions.

"During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and ^astrife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was ^bright and who was wrong.

"In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be ^aright, which is it, and how shall I know it?

"I was one day reading the Epistle of ^aJames, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack ^bwisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

"At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in ^adarkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God,” concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would ^bgive liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture."

So he did. He exercised his faith in God, and he went out into the woods and prayed. And the rest is history. In the same way that God had called the boy prophet Samuel, he appeared with his son, Jesus Christ.

Now, you're probably like "C'mon, Baker. Really? You expect me to believe that God appeared to a 14-year-old and called him as a prophet? C'mon."

That's exactly what I'm saying. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and told him of the things that he needed to know to be prepared to bring the true church back to the Earth. And because of that, we have the Fulness of the Gospel on the Earth today. I love the Gospel. I really do. If I could take the feelings that come inside of me every time I think of it and transfer them to you, I would.

And actually, it's possible for you to feel that. Just read the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith through the power of God from Golden Plates. It is a record of people in the ancient American continent. Its the greatest book. And you can know = just read out of the book every day and ask Heavenly Father if the book is true. I promise if you really intend to act on the answer you get, you will know that it is true.

I really do love this message, and I love the things that Joseph Smith did to bring for the Gospel in this day. It has blessed my life a ton. Remember my missionary companion that flew to New York? He actually had the oppurtunity to kneel down and ask God if it was true. And he got his answer. I know you can to.

In order to help you feel the greatness of this message, I have a video that will help you feel the Spirit and know of the mission of the Prophet, Joseph Smith.

Thinkin' about Forgiveness

You've all been in the situation. Sometimes, someone will come up and do something that just absolutely makes you madder than you've ever been. Whether it be they stole something, or scammed you, or lied, or whatever it be - it just makes them the worst person in the world to you, and they deserve whatever happens to them.

Have you ever been in that position? I have. I also know that I've probably made those same mistakes that have made other people feel the same way, no matter how big or small.

Before he died, Jesus Christ hung on the cross. One of his 7 last uttered phrases was "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This always has just been kind of startling to me. Jesus Christ forgave them for hanging them on the cross - for murdering him! If the Savior that we try to emulate often could forgive them of their sins, we also need to be able to forgive others for the little things that they have done to us.

Its obviously not ease by any means. Forgiveness is never easy. But it gives us strength and courage to help our brothers and sisters, and it gives us an even better understanding of the love that the Lord has for us. The Lord will help us overcome the feelings of anger and hatred that we feel, and replace it with feelings of peace and gratitude for the lessons that we learned.

There was one guy in Utah named Chris Williams. I remember reading this story in the news when my mom handed me the paper one morning a few years ago. All I remember is that she said "There is someone who knows the Gospel." Here's his story.

Thinkin' about Hope & Happiness

One of the toughest things for me to understand is why we go through the things that we go through. I do know, however, that trials help us grow and learn the things that Heavenly Father wants us to learn. I personally have been through a lot. I've made different mistakes - I've hurt different people. I've done things that have caused myself and others hurt. I've had health problems as I have been out here on my mission. But somehow, I'm happy. I know its because Jesus Christ suffered all of these things for me.

Now, hope is a hard thing to explain. Basically, to me, it just means that I have to believe that good is going to come no matter what. It ties directly into faith. I hope because I want, and I hope because I know the Lord will give. Nothing in this life comes easy, and if it does - its not worth it. I know that when we find our purpose and live the Gospel, the Lord blesses us and we will be able to live with him again.

In the mission field, I've discovered that there are 2 different types of things that missionaries have to realize. First, there is the reason that missionaries came out here in the first place, whatever that may be. Second - there is something that keeps them out here. They are 2 different things. As I have been pondering the past 18 months, I realize that the reason (well, one of them) that I've stayed out here is because I hope that others have the same happiness level that I have found in the Gospel. The Gospel gives them a reason to live and a reason to keep going. It gives them hope.

So I hope that we can all find our purpose and our reason for staying where we are and with what we are doing. Its not easy, but it so is worth it.

Thinkin' about The Lord's Way

So I have just been thinking about how many different times in my life, something hasn't worked out exactly the way I planned. I always have a plan for something, thinking "Ok, this is how its going to work out, and this is what is going to happen." The Lord must have a good laugh at me every once in a while, because I sure mess up a lot and things generally don't happen.

The truth is, the Lord has a plan for everything. He knows the in and out of all that is going on, and he knows how it is going to help and affect us all. One of my favorite scriptures is the Doctrine and Covenants 84:119 - it simply states "For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am."

The Lord always has a plan for us and he always knows what is best. As I pondered about this, I remembered a video I saw about Zion's Camp. In early Church History, the Church was strongly getting persecuted in Missouri, and the Prophet Joseph Smith was warned about it. This video talks about how sometimes things didn't work out the way Zion's Camp expected, but they did turn out for the best. I like this video a lot. Enjoy.

Thinkin' about Jesus Christ

I just want to focus on the Spirit that this video, Reflections of Christ, brings to the hearts of those who watch it.

I promise that Jesus Christ lives, and the he leads and guides His Church today.

Thinkin' about The Priesthood

One of the biggest questions I always get in my service as a missionary is what makes us different from all the other churches around the earth. Well, the truth is that we get our authority straight from Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. Through apostles and prophets, his Priesthood authority was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is so comforting to know that we really do have actual priesthood authority.

Joseph Smith prayed to know which church was true, and as such was called as a Prophet by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was given all the keys to restore the original church that Christ had set up when he was on the Earth. (Read the Joseph Smith History - it's awesome)

I carry around something in my pocket called my "Line of Authority." It directly links my ability to use the Priesthood directly back to Jesus Christ. The link between the Apostles he had back then, and the ones on the Earth today, is explained here by an Apostle of the Lord, Elder David A. Bednar.

Thinkin' about Temples

The Mesa Arizona Temple

So I was just thinking about how awesome temples are. Wouldn't you know it - temples are the best place on the face of the planet. Think about it - a place where I can go for hours on end and not be interrupted. Its just the time that I can dedicate to the Lord, especially if I am looking for guidance and looking for the extra strength to accomplish the things I need to do in my life.

 My parents were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple. I love that temple, even though I have never seen it in person before. I love it because that's where my family started and I know because of the power of the temple, that's what the temple is all about. Eternal families are what makes this great. I know that my family - my Dad, my Mom, my sister and brother - can all be together, along with the families that my siblings and I will have someday. I am so blessed because of that.

I remember one time when I was in High School, I went with a couple of friends to the temple early in the morning. It was just the best start to one of the best days I have had in my life. Everything just seemed to work out that day. I knew it was because I had taken the time to remember the Lord in my day and that I had actually made the Gospel a part of my life.

In the temple, we make promises with our Heavenly Father about the way that we live our lives. We accomplish the work for our kindred dead who otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to accept the Gospel. It is just the neatest experience knowing that I have helped those who want to accept the gospel to do so.

 
I know there is peace in the temple. I know that the Lord made temples available to do what everything is meant to do - bless his children. I have felt that peace in my life. As a missionary, its sometimes frustrating not to be able to go as often as I would like but it helps me appreciate the times I do get to go. I love the temple, and I love the peace that it brings.

The Salt Lake City Temple

 

Thinkin' about Jesus

I've been thinking a lot about what Jesus Christ really did for us, and I know that he really did die for us. It must have been really hard for him because I know that its been really hard for me as I've tried to get myself to overcome weaknesses and do the things I know are right. This video describes perfectly how hard it must be for him. Jeffrey R. Holland speaks perfectly about this.