The Colesville Saints. From Colesville, New York.
Made the journey to Ohio, leaving their homes and livelihoods after hearing the prophet’s call.
This community was tight-knit. They were staying together.
But where would they live in Ohio? Who had room for them?
Finally… Leman Copley offers his farm.
They all can live together! It will take work to build up their community. But at least, finally, some good news.
They have a home.
And then… Leman returns. Angry. With a friend.
They are all asked to leave. Leave their new home?!
But where could they possibly go now?
Where in the Kirtland area could house all of them?
Newel pleads on behalf of his displaced congregation.
And Joseph receives the word.
“You shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri”. (D&C 54:8)
Missouri.
No one else had been asked to move there yet.
Joseph hadn’t even been to Missouri.
And yet, the Colesville Saints packed up their belongings and started the trek to Missouri.
The Lord ended His revelation to his sweet children, forced to move yet again, with this loving reminder:
“Be patient in tribulation”. D&C 54:10
Tribulation is a constant.
The Colesville Saints experienced it.
But so do you. And so do I.
What’s your tribulation right now?
It probably feels lighter than the Colesville Saints burdens. But… maybe it doesn’t.
And no matter the load, we are asked to have patience.
To just wait.
To not hasten, or rush.
But to move at the pace that we can, to make the efforts we can make, and to feel patience, turning the timing over to God.
To wait in humility.
The tribulations aren’t the variable. They will come. They already have come.
And our Savior keeps promising us peace as we turn our will over to Him in patience, every single time.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
