Joseph Smith, Jr.

     As I consider lessons of faith we can learn from people closer to our day, I can’t help but consider the life of Joseph Smith, Jr.  At the beginning of the 19^th century, there were many churches that contained precious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But none of the churches had the fullness of this gospel.  Every one of them was missing some parts that were necessary for the salvation of mankind.

     Because of his faith, Joseph Smith would be called in the early 1800s to serve God as the prophet to restore the fullness of Christ’s gospel.  He would demonstrate his faith throughout his life and teach us many precious lessons of faith. 

     For example he and the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would show us how to make sacrifices even in our poverty to help build the kingdom of God on earth.  The temples built in Kirtland and Nauvoo demonstrate this sacrifice.  Joseph Smith faced tremendous persecution but continues to trust in God throughout it.  This teaches us to rely on God even in the face of adversity.  An excellent example of this is when the prophet cries out to God for support while in Liberty Jail.  (See Doctrine and Covenants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Section 121.)

     There are many other lessons of faith we can learn from the life of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.  But one that stands out to me today is the tremendous faith he demonstrates in his youth.  Early in his life, Joseph witnessed a great spiritual movement among the people around him.  Several different sects of religion were heavily preaching among the people in Palmyra, seeking to convert the masses to their religion.  Young Joseph was confused by this religious upheaval and didn’t know which church was true.

     During this time, a particular scripture stood out in his mind.  In the Holy Bible, the Epistle of James, chapter one, verse five reads, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”  Joseph knew he lacked wisdom because he didn’t know which church was true.  He pondered on this verse for some time, finally resolving to put his faith in the words of James.

     So, at fifteen years of age, Joseph retired to the woods near his home to ask of God in faith.  That alone teaches us lessons about trusting the Lord in our youth.  A teenage boy had enough faith in God to believe the words He has given us through scripture.  If a fifteen year old boy can devote his time to studying the scriptures and trusting in the words of God found therein, what about the rest of us?

     But the faith of this teenager didn’t stop there.  When he had arrived at the woods, Joseph knelt to pray only to be seized upon by an incredible force.  He couldn’t see it.  He had no idea what it was at that time.  But the force was real, carrying enough power to physically bind his tongue to prevent him from speaking.

     Joseph used every ounce of strength he had to do the one thing he could think of doing.  He called on God for help.  Here again is an incredible lesson of faith delivered by a fifteen year old teenager!  Imagine the faith in God it must take to call on him for help in our greatest hour of need!  Then imagine that this wasn’t the last resort for Joseph.  It was his natural response.  I can imagine he struggled for a few seconds.  But finding himself incapable of resisting, Joseph immediately turned to God.  How much better would our lives be if we had the faith in God it takes to naturally think to call upon him for help when we need it? 

     Joseph received the help from God.  Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph, delivering him from the evil force that had seized him.  He then had the opportunity to ask them which church was true, the very purpose for which he had come to the woods to pray.  And because of Joseph’s faith, God gave him the wisdom he sought.  He instructed Joseph not to join any church, for none were complete.  Joseph was then called to be the Lord’s servant in restoring the church that would have the fullness of the gospel at a later date.

     Joseph would be required to wait for a few years before he would receive further instruction or the tools with which to restore the church as God had instructed.  During these years he demonstrated faith in another manner.  He was persecuted heavily for the vision of God he had seen.  But Joseph, a teenage boy throughout the time, knew he had seen God.  Though he would face the ridicule and scorn of those who may have been his friends otherwise, Joseph would not turn his back on God.  So here again he teaches us that, even in our youth, we need to stand for God in faith even if we stand alone.

     Joseph Smith, Jr., teaches us several lessons about faith from his youth.  In the world we live in, people face difficult conflicts between the laws of God and the interests of the world at younger and younger ages.  It seems to me that very few kids even make it to the age of ten before they are faced with these difficult decisions at this point.  How wonderful it is to have the example of the young boy Joseph Smith, Jr., to show us we can trust in God even in our youth.

 

If you want to read a more complete rendition of the story of Joseph Smith, including the examples from his life found in this blog, you can find the story in the scriptures.  The Pearl of Great Price contains a section titled “Joseph Smith—History”, which carries an excellent rendition of Joseph’s life.  You can find this by clicking on the link “Scriptures” above (under the heading “LDS Church Websites in the upper left corner).  Then click on the link “Pearl of Great Price” in the left column.  It should be the eighth link down in the center of the webpage that populates.