Calm while walking to your death.
Joseph Smith had the most essential gift of the Spirit with him:
“I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning;” D&C 135:4
Abinadi.
Jesus Christ.
And I know there are others.
Beautiful examples of peace while heading toward certain death.
I most likely will not have to face this specific situation.
But something I CAN relate to?
Calm even when everything from a mortal viewpoint is NOT going to be okay.
It takes a lot of faith.
It takes an eternal perspective.
It takes having the presence of the Holy Ghost.
It’s feeling peace even when other people think you should be falling apart.
But it also doesn’t mean needing to love the situation.
Joseph tried to escape as the mob attacked.
Abinadi kept preaching and trying to soften the hearts of his abusers.
Even the Savior asked if the cup could be removed from before Him.
It’s the moments when people say, “I’m so sorry. That sounds terrible.”
And you say, “It has been really rough. But I’ve also surprisingly had these moments of peace that carry me through. I’ve felt so many blessings and so much strength while still having to endure this difficult circumstance.”
Life is filled with rough mortal experiences.
And no amount of righteousness will ever excuse us from them.
But we can still endure and feel as calm as a summer’s morning.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
One Response
One day and a month before Joseph Smith was murdered he spoke to a large group in Nauvoo. He started out this talk by reading 2 Corinthians 11…this was a warning to some of the apostles and other who were secretly living polygamy and accusing him (Joseph Smith) of teaching and living it. (History of the Church May 1844 pg. 408-412). This is what the Prophet Joseph said:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
(New Testament | 2 Corinthians 11:13 – 15)
On May 26, 1844 Joseph Smith said, one month before he was murdered June 27, 1844: “What a thing for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago”
(History of the Church Vol.6, p.408-412 Sunday, May 26, 1844).
http://www.ldsendowment.com/carthage_conspiracy.htm
The prophet Joseph suffered a lot of opposition and sadness in his life but I believe he remained optimistic and happy because he know in whom he trusted the most… his Father in Heaven and Christ.