A bit of explanation and background:
For a few years now the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been putting out a series of lesson books to be used in Relief Society and Priesthood meetings. The series is called Teachings of Presidents of the Church. They choose one modern day Prophet, compile many of his teachings into a book, and then use it for the whole year. For the year of 2008 we are focusing on Joseph Smith Jr.

I read the introduction, which was basically a brief overview of Joseph Smith Jr's life. Then they went to Chapter One, called, "The First Vision: The Father and the Son Appear to Joseph Smith".

Joseph Smith grew up in a time where there was a lot of religious uproar. He felt confused by all the different sects and decided to read the scriptures for himself.

He read the scriptures, he thought about them extensively, pondering them, and then one day while reading the Epistle of James chapter one verse five, which 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." {1}

Joseph Smith said, regarding that scripture, "Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine."

And so, he did. He went to a grove of trees, prayed and received an answer. He saw God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. "One of them spake on to [him], calling [him] by name and said, pointing to the other, Here is My Beloved Son. Hear Him." Joseph was told by Jesus Christ to join none of them, that they were all wrong because, "They draw near to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandents of men, having a form of godlines, but they deny the power thereof." {2}

However when he told a preacher about his experience Joseph very swiftly was met with scorn and persecution among the professors of religion. He was told he was being deceived by the devil, etc.

Why am I mentioning all of this? Because I realized something. First that instead of choosing to believe a preacher that sounded good, he wanted to know the truth of things, and he went to find out for himself. He was not a blind believer. Similar to buying a house. You don't just believe whatever the realtor says to you and sign the paperwork. You read the documentation, you inspect many houses, and do some research on the neighborhood you are considering. It isn't until you do all those things, coupled with prayer, do you make a choice on where you want to live.

Joseph Smith was fourteen years old when he had this vision. He had no idea that the answer was going to be so . . . life changing.

Second. When the preacher and other religious leaders and folk started coming down on him for having this vision, which "was often the cause of great sorrow to" Joseph, instead of buckling under, or thinking that maybe the preachers were right, he stood his ground. He did not doubt himself. He knew what he saw and heard was true. How many of us have enough confidence in ourselves to not be crushed under such pressure? How many of us had enough when we were only fourteen years old?

Joseph Smith was the self esteem, anti peer pressure, poster boy. He knew he had faults, but he also knew his strengths and had a firm sense of his own self worth. Wow. How blessed he was to have such positive qualities. How often do we struggle with our own self worth?

I've never thought about the various qualities one must need, the personality traits, to be able to endure what Joseph endured, and to accomplish all that he had accomplished. . . it's really rather awe inspiring. I think he may just need to be added to my list of heroes.

Now that I think about it, I know someone who has similar qualities. My husband. He knows his faults (and, unlike me, doesn't let those get him down; I'm sure Joseph Smith was the same), he knows his strengths, and he has self efficacy, as in he knows his own self worth, which is something I often struggle with even though in my head I know better. He's already on my list of heroes.

Happy New Year.
Faith and Hope.
Selah.

{1}The Epistle of James 1:5
{2}Joseph Smith - History 1 (for all other quotes)

 

Originally posted on my personal site ruthiechan.net by me.

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