Since we just talked had a lesson about Joseph Smith, and
the importance of having a testimony of Joseph Smith in December I wanted to
take this lesson in a different direction. First, I would like to thank ClassicMormon Mom for her post on this same lesson, which provided me some direction.
Witnesses of Christ
Joseph Fielding Smith states, “Two themes stand out
uppermost in my mind. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was crucified
for the sins of the world, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet called and
appointed to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times.”
We can hardly speak of Joseph Smith without Speaking of
Jesus Christ. When we speak of Joseph Smith we talk about his first vision, and
the work he did to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the men of this
generation. Joseph smith’s witness and testimony of the Risen Savior is the
foundation upon which we stand. Without the first vision, Joseph Smith is just
a boy from upstate New York. Maybe we would have known him for something else,
but that isn’t what happened. Joseph Smith, a boy of 14 was visited by God the
Father, and his son, Jesus Christ. Because of this event, this witness, and
this testimony Joseph Smith restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in its
fullness to the Earth.
That is the testimony this great work stands on.
Brotherhood
Though I don’t know a lot about the relationship between Joseph
and Hyrum, I know they were more than brothers. They were best friends, and
brothers in Christ. They loved and supported each other, and trusted each other
with their lives. Joseph Smith had so much
respect for his brother, he is quoted as saying, “I could pray in my heart that
all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the
mildness of the lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness
and humility of Christ and I love him with that love that is stronger than
death, for I never occasion to rebuke him, nor he me.” (JSF Manual, page 112)
In 1841, Hyrum was called to be Assistant President of the
Church. In his ordination he was told, “That he may act in concert with my
servant Joseph; and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who
shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned
with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were
put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery. That my servant Hyrum may bear
record of the things which I shall show unto him, that his name may be had in honorable
remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever.” (D&C124:94-96) Working so closely in the Church Presidency together only strengthened their bond of
brotherhood, which would continue to grow until they were both martyred in
Carthage Jail.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith's Last Ride - Memorial in Nauvoo, Ill
Brothers in Christ
In February of 1999 Gordon B. Hinckley, in an address to the Salt Lake Tabernacle,
declared that the first thing every
convert needs is “a friend.” Look at your Quorums, your wards, your stakes, and
the church as a whole. We have strength and a bond that goes beyond this life.
The priesthood connects us. It strengthens our bond as sons of God. When we
consider the Priesthood, we think of worthiness, honesty, and integrity. Though
not all men who hold the Priesthood have these attributes, we know that their
incidence is higher than in the rest of the world, and that most are working to
overcome their shortcomings. So, through the Priesthood our trust is
strengthen, and our love deepened because we know the manner of men which stand
by us.
So, look to your quorums first. Who among your brethren
stands in need of a friend? Is it a new convert? Is it a returning member? Is
it a struggling member? Is it you? Don’t be afraid to approach start a
friendship with that person in need, or if it’s you, search out a friendship.
Sure, your bond may feel artificial at first, even forced, but over time your
bond will deepen. If you continue in this friendship, your bond may even be as
close as Joseph and Hyrum’s bond once was. Imagine the love and respect you are
leaving behind by letting these opportunities pass you by. Imagine having
somebody you can trust that much.
Strength in Companionship
Humans need interaction. Satan knows this, which is why he
likes to get you alone. When we are alone we are at our weakest, and when we
are weak, he can entice us with “goodies.” We may indulge in a goody, then
another, and another. Each time we do we are being rewarded for being alone,
and since we don’t get any goodies when we are not alone, we get the equivalent
of a punishment until we ARE again alone. (Do you see the cycle here?) P.S.
There is research to support this. All you have to do is Google any kind of
addiction and the word loneliness to find it.
Sin causes man to seek darkness, and loneliness. It is in
the empty darkness that they can hide their darkest deeds. That is why the
Savior commands us to almost always have a companion. We have companions in
parents and siblings as a child. We have companions when we go on missions. We
have a companion when we Home Teach. We are commanded to marry, which adds an
eternal companion. So then does is not make sense to add to your list of
companions through friends, and brothers in the Gospel? When God said of Adam, “it is not good that
man should be alone,” (Gen 2:18)
he wasn’t kidding. When we have a companion, one who will see that we are “nourished by the good word of God,” (Moroni 6:4) we will not be left alone to the darkness, to be dragged down by the wiles of Satan.
In closing
The lesson here is actually simple.
1.
Seek to gain, or strengthen your testimony of
the atonement, and the restoration of the gospel in these latter days.
2.
Seek out friends(s) whose testimony and resolve
you can strengthen, OR seek out friend(s) who can strengthen your testimony and
resolve.
3.
Strengthen that friendship(s), and support each
other in Christ, not in sin.
Remember, when you make friends that the goal isn’t
retention. We aren’t looking to bolster numbers. The goal is to grow in love
for somebody so much that you want nothing more than for them to be saved, for
the Gospel is about the pure love of Christ, not numbers.
