Monday, June 27, 2011

Monday Memories – "Praise to the Man"


I don’t remember not believing that Joseph Smith had a vision where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him.  If I believed that Abraham and Moses and Adam and Jacob could walk and talk with God, and I did, then it only made sense to me that God would continue to walk and talk with modern prophets.  Thus, I believed, and thus I believe.

I do remember the first time I heard a classmate make fun of Joseph Smith.  He called him Joe and scorned him and said his story was a hoax.  I was stunned.  Joseph Smith’s account made so much sense to me, I wondered why it didn’t make sense to him.  The boy’s words stung like sticks and stones, and it was as if someone had slammed a family member. 

One thing I appreciate about Joseph Smith’s example is that he was a hard worker and he learned quickly from his mistakes.  One thing I appreciate about Joseph Smith as a prophet is that he restored the Gospel to the earth so that the same truths that were here in Christ’s time are here again.  I love the Prophet Joseph, I know he is a prophet of God, and I am grateful to belong to the Church that he helped to re-establish.

Tonight for family night we’re watching the Joseph Smith movie.  Oh sure, I’ve seen it several times in the last six months, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting to see it tonight to honor the day the Prophet Joseph Smith sealed his testimony here on this earth.  Because he would never recount the experience he had of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to him, he was eventually killed for it.

9 comments:

Barb said...

I really enjoy this new movie, but it is a special favourite of Steven's. We went through a stage where if he was on lesson we knew what it was going to be!

Cali said...

I'm grateful you raised me in a home that believes. I was thinking today how blessed I feel from that single gift you gave me.

Thank you,
Cali

Becky said...

Amen!

P.S. Sorry the whether report has nothing new on the horizon...

Deanna/Mimi said...

Thank you dear Jane for your posting of Joseph Smith. I have not seen the movie you also put on the post, but I intend to. Thank you for that thoughtful gesture of caring. I am convert and I always said that no one, absolutely no one would go through what he did if he had been lying. His wife, children, friends, parents, siblings, etc., were also tormented and some killed. He could not deny what he had seen and heard no matter what happened to him or the others. I praise him for that. Thanks again. I look forward to your blog each day. Hugs

Deanna/Mimi said...

Thank you Jane for such a wonderful blog today. Joseph Smith was such a brave man. He knew he could never deny what he had seen and heard...even though many around him were being abused and killed. Praise to that man...
Thank you for the video too. I will take a look at it later. Sweet and thoughtful of you to post it. Baby is coming soon...looking forward to seeing the announcement. Ah...how my arms ache for a baby to hold. Soon that blessing is coming your way. Enjoy.

Clark perrins said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Clark perrins said...

we love joseph smith to your good
your bigger is good form me im it
joseph smith

Jill said...

I haven't seen this movie, but think I need to get it for some family viewing.

I also don't remember ever not believing!

michelle said...

I don't remember not believing, either. And now I want to see that movie!

How perfect that you have that photo.