Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Liberty Jail: "a temple prison"

Since the moment Joseph saw God and Jesus Christ, extreme opposition came into his life. Satan knew the true gospel was entering its final dispensation and was trying everything possible to stop its progress. Joseph stayed constant—and on the run.

There is no doubt that the five months of 1839 the Prophet Joseph spent in Liberty Jail changed him forever. As mentioned in class, this was the first time he had been “stuck” in a single place. Although a Prophet of God, He still had to answer the “hard questions.” Liberty Jail brought Joseph to his knees in a way he could never have imagined. His body in the worst mortal condition imaginable, his Spirit was strengthened in its connection to God as he listened to reproves from the Lord and learned that all “was for [his] experience…[and] good” (D&C 122:7).

Jeffrey R. Holland spoke in General Conference once of the Atonement and how the Father withdrew so that Christ could feel (for a small moment) how we might feel left alone. To me, this is what Liberty Jail did to Joseph. It brought the average man out of the Prophet. It humbled him and increased his sincerity and love for the saints—(if that was even possible). It was a Prophet-specific Zion’s Camp. As soon as Joseph asks of the Lord “where art thou,” “how long,” “can you avenge my enemies,” the Lord answers him with comfort AND caution. His words of “My son, peace be unto thy soul” is followed by a short “Thou art not yet as Job.” Dr. Holzapfel mentioned loneliness and God-forsakeness as two different things. Perhaps this was a lesson Joseph had to feel personally—what the rest of us would feel like crossing the plains and following the gospel--susceptible and alone. You can tell loneliness was a concern when the Lord specifically addresses, verse 9, “thy friends do stand by thee.” This prophet of God had been pulled from the side of his wife and children, arrested, charged unlawfully, turned on by friends, yet God was over all.

To me, it seems Joseph became a more “reachable” Prophet. He became his own mouthpiece by preaching more (not just recording revelation). Since he was captive in jail, Joseph had plenty of time to communicate with God and articulate His will for the Saints.

Liberty Jail recommitted Joseph to the building of the kingdom. Temples became his life’s mission because he realized their saving power while he himself felt in the grip of death. It seems like events and ordinances following Liberty Jail were attacked with more vigor, speed, and urgency.

One lesson is taught repeatedly throughout D&C 121-123: “Jesus, who suffered no sin, suffered unfairly—so, it is not wrong for humans who do wrong to suffer.” D&C 122:8: The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” Certainly, all things experienced in mortality are for our benefit.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Salvation of the Dead

In Doctrine and Covenants 137 Joseph Smith records what is known as “Vision of the Celestial Kingdom.” Joseph sees Heaven. It struck me that he said he saw its “beauty” and that the gate “was like unto circling flames of fire.” Everything in the gospel is light related. Maybe that’s one of the reasons Joseph used “flames of fire” to describe the eyes of God. Other light connections: “I am the light of the world”; “don’t hide your light under a bushel”; 3 degrees of glory; God descends/ascends in light; light (God) ALWAYS wins against dark (Satan); etc. Fire and light to me are powerful analogies. They make me think of warmth, hope, brightness, and an unstoppable force. Light is something to be reckoned with!

I hadn’t realized before where Joseph’s concern came from. After Joseph sees the throne of God, Adam, Abraham, and his parents, he sees his brother Alvin. Alvin died before baptism, which left Joseph wondering why he was in the Celestial Kingdom. Joseph’s misunderstanding on judgement is cleared when the Lord reveals His mercy.

Verse 9, Lord saying “I…will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” The Lord really teaches an important lesson that yes, we are judged by what we DO, but what we DO is determined by who we are; thus, are eternal fate is left up to the condition of our hearts. That is why those “who would have received it [gospel] if they had been permitted to tarry” can be saved. Our test in mortality is a process of turning and coming back to Christ. It’s part of the plan that not everyone could be on the Earth when the gospel is restored.
Salvation of the Dead applies to ALL of the dead—members and nonmembers alike. While an important truth is revealed for those who did not hear the restored gospel, both members and nonmembers will be judged. Salvation can come to ALL. It is said that: “Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny.” How true it is! Our eternal destiny rests in our thoughts, which determines our activity in the gospel. Just as with the oil of the ten virgins, testimony, repentance, forgiveness, happiness, joy, mortality cannot be given away. These things must be personally attained.

It is so comforting to live with the knowledge that I will see those I love again. Death is just a step in this mortal test. Satan and death will not triumph in the end. While those who “died without a knowledge” can still be saved, it is so important to receive saving ordinances now. Just think of Oliver Cowdery. He personally received the restoration of the sealing power and yet never applied it in his own life. He was sealed to his wife years after death. Unless I decide to live the gospel, nothing I do matters.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Special Collections: Hands of the Scribe

Having class in the special collections section of the library was so neat! I have to admit that I’m a little bit of a history addict at heart and loved smelling and seeing pages that have passed through generations of hands. (haha and I thought my textbooks this semester cost a lot.) Old ink and paper just smells good!

I thought one of the most beautiful things we saw was old Medieval text. Made by Monks, it was complete with detailed decoration patterns around the page and bigger opening paragraph letters. The pages were so colorful, shiny, and detailed that just looking at the page took my breath away. Old books (accomplishments of any kind really) have such a sacredness to them because of the time and detail that went into them. One of the Medieval books took eleven years to make!

I feel more committed than ever now to keeping a journal and being the best “personal scribe” possible. Our collections guide expressed two very important reasons for journals. 1-personal growth and 2-posterity.

One thought I keep returning to has to do with my hands. During the presentation our collections guide was trying to compare a piece of hand-produced parchment with a piece of machine-produced parchment and requested a volunteer to hold up a plastic-cased copy. I jumped at the opportunity and raised my hand. Even though I wasn’t touching “the exact piece of paper,” I felt almost caught back in history. Carrying an ancient record between my fingertips sent chills up and down my spine. I was so close that I could see the erased pre-writing lines drawn on the sheet! Pretty soon my two minutes of heaven were up and I was back in my seat with a smile on my face. It wasn’t long after my volunteer experience that the presentation ended and I was walking up the library stairs texting my friend I was meeting for lunch. Suddenly I stopped. I stared at my hands in “time-warp” shock. All of the sudden it hit me that in a matter of five minutes my hands had switched to holding over one hundred year old parchment to the latest cell phone technology. I really felt like I’d felt through the walls of time with my hands. The past was a tangible thing for a minute.

It’s wonderful to think how the restoration of the gospel has opened the door to advancements in EVERY field! For centuries, select scribes were scrawling on bone, coal, wood, parchment, and papyrus. It took hundreds of years for the printing press to be developed and within the last twenty we’ve come up with cell phones!! Joseph Smith opened the gate of this last dispensation. The restored gospel has brought light and truth to the world that is manifest in ways that are plain to man in science, math, and the arts. God has a hand in everything and is preparing His people for when He comes again.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Suffering of the Sparrow

One of the strongest points that hit me in class was that “to suffer” something means it has been “allowed” to happen. “Suffering” = “allowing.” In class we learned that it was Paul in Colossians that first received the revelation that suffering was not simply a punishment for personal wrongs, but could also be specific training from the Lord.

**Reason 1—personal consequence: In D&C 103: 5-6 the Lord teaches an important “if/then” principle of hearkening and prevailing. Triumph comes from obedience; therefore, if I act according to God’s commands (both what he says and when) then I will be blessed and avoid unnecessary pain. Stupid people make stupid decisions and must learn lessons the hard way. (ie: a child touching a hot stove)

**Reason 2—training ground: the Lord must teach lessons which sometimes push us out of our comfort zones. As mortals, we tend to stick with what is most comfortable. God has the entire plan and knows specific lessons that need to be learned in specific ways that will most benefit us. He is molding and shaping us for His purposes.

In Matthew 10: 29-31 it reads: “29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

To me, this is more of a confirmation that the Lord knows and loves each of us individually. If God has power over all, then anything that happens (our fault or His training) has to be “approved” in a way. The lecture in class brought a new perspective that it doesn’t say why the sparrow fell. My absurd list of possibilities could include: being hit by lightning; self-imposed starvation; drought-imposed starvation; diving out of the way of predators; tired feet; saving another sparrow; etc. Regardless of the reason, God knew of it happening and noticed.

I think we connect with the suffering sparrow the most because the Bible points out that it fell. In other words, the sparrow suffered. A trial came along and pushed him off of the branch. This scripture wouldn’t be half as comforting if it had said that “the sparrow lived out his days eating the fattest worms and whistled a happy tune while God noticed.” Instead, we find comfort knowing that God is aware of our pitfalls—whether these be self-imposed or for training.

Sometimes I connect a lot with that sparrow.

I am thankful for “sparrow moments” because they keep humility in my life. Seeing God’s hand in my life, both in the trial and resolution, strengthens my testimony and faith.

As Dr. Holzapfel stated, the Lord is not done with me yet.