Virtue Opens Heaven’s Views

August 24, 2014

Michelle Cox

The prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue.”

Virtue might be most quickly linked in our minds to modesty or chastity, however, virtue is even more than these.  The Preach My Gospel manual defines virtue as “a pattern of thought [or] behavior based on high moral standards.”  I’ve found that link to our thoughts very interesting.  Virtue describes the condition of our hearts and minds – and is also a means for transforming us and opening up access to God’s power.

Mark chapter 5 describes a moment during Jesus’ mortal ministry when the hem of his robe was touched by a woman who had been very ill for 12 years and was seeking healing from him.  Verse 30 describes Jesus “immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him.”  Also in Luke chapter 6, it is recorded that “the whole multitude sought to touch him; for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”  These brief accounts seem to say that virtue is synonymous with divine power.

Why are we here on this earth?  Are we here to just trudge along and get by?  Just be as good as we can?  Moses 1:39 quotes the Lord saying, “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  Therefore, we are here to be fundamentally changed; to progress from imperfect beings into something so magnificent that we can comfortably look our Heavenly Father in the face and live in His presence, as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, being “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).

What does virtue have to do with it?  Quite a lot.  In order to succeed in this life – to succeed in the way that would bring eternal joy – we look to the One who overcame the world, the Savior Jesus Christ.  His virtue healed, blessed, and glorified.  His virtue served others, reached out to the lonely and the sick.  And, most importantly, his virtue observed every law and commandment of God.

The Book of Mormon teaches us that virtue leads to charity, which is the pure love of Christ, an eternal love that brings eternal blessings (Moroni 7:48).  Psalms 24:4-5 teaches us who will receive this honor, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

How else is virtue essential to our mortal journey?  2 Peter 1:3-4 open up another aspect of virtue.   The passage reads, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 

Virtue unlocks divine power in our lives, as well as “great and precious promises.”  We gain access to the healing, forgiving power of Jesus Christ.  We become qualified to participate in God’s work as his servants and missionaries.  Doctrine and Covenants 4:5-6 lists characteristics of those who are called to the work, “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.  Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”  And back to 2 Peter 1:5, the apostle admonishes, “giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge.”

Why does knowledge seem to be linked to virtue?  2 Peter 1:8 explains that if these wholesome qualities “be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  By embracing virtue, we become fertile ground for knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ.

In Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 we learn even more. The Lord lovingly commands us, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.  The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”  The image is clear:  when our thoughts are carefully guarded and tended to with virtue,  the doctrine of the priesthood (its keys, authority, power, callings, responsibilities and duties) will be pure and refreshing to our souls.

Without virtue, we lose access to this knowledge of Jesus Christ, his doctrine, and his plan.  We weaken our connection to the Holy Ghost, whose role in the Godhead is to confirm truth to us through thoughts in our minds and feelings in our hearts.  Therefore, our minds must be unfettered by the unvirtuous things of the world.  Modern-day apostle, Jeffery R. Holland, simply promised, “The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path,” which includes taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, remembering him, and keeping his commandments.

Doesn’t that make us stop and consider what might impact our ability to access this key prerequisite of virtue?  Of all the millions of books, movies, videos, magazines, songs, games, etc, that there are in the world, there is an urgent need to “bridle all your passions” (Alma 38:12) as the Book of Mormon says, and to “cleave unto [the Lord] with all your heart” (D&C 11:19).

Consuming anything that is unvirtuous puts us on risky ground.  The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

If we are to be able to understand the things of God, and not discount them as foolishness, and love His doctrines and willingly keep all of his commandments – then virtue is key.

How do we know if we’re on the right track?  Simply, we will love the things of God.  Doctrine and Covenants 88:40 explains, “For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light.” We will also have no desire for sin.  In the Book of Mormon, a people who were converted unto the Lord exclaimed, “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”

What can we do when we falter?  Elder Holland lovingly invites, “Claim the promises of the Savior of the world.  Ask for the healing balm of the atonement for whatever may be troubling you. … Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you.”  The voice of the Lord, Himself, beckons to us, “Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mosiah 26:30).

When we may feel bleak and broken, remember: there’s a man who died for us.  He suffered for our sins.  He allowed himself to take on the sins of all the world so that you and I, all of us, can be made clean if we take action.  “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;  But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;  Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—  Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.  Wherefore, I command you again to repent … Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.  I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.” (D&C 19:15-20, 23-24).  “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).

With the loving and eager help of the Lord, we can maintain the path of virtue as it leads us to the happiness and fulfillment that awaits us.

Walking on Water

My husband was out of town one night several years ago, and as I was putting my oldest son to bed, who was just 3 years old at the time, I thought I would tell him a story from the scriptures to help him settle down and relax.  The story that came to mind was when Peter tried to walk on water to meet Jesus, who was coming towards them in the middle of the sea.

I had thought "tried" was the right word until that night.  Then it occurred to me that Peter had walked on water.  Peter had walked on water.

That was an amazing moment.  We might not be too impressed by Jesus walking on water, because we already know he had been healing people of all manner of illnesses and infirmities, and, plus, he was half-God.  Being a literal son of God the Father in the flesh, he was naturally endowed with special, sacred powers and abilities.  So, of course he could walk on water if he needed to or wanted to.

What struck me was the realization that someone as completely mortal as myself was recorded as walking on water.  Suddenly that seemed to imply something about myself.

Matthew describes that he, Peter, and other disciples were sent by Jesus out onto the Sea of Galilea in a ship to sail to the other side.  In the meantime, he would disburse the crowd that had gathered and then go up into the hills to pray by himself (Matthew 14).

Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, the disciples on watch -- and perhaps everyone was awake anyway with how "contrary" the winds were -- noticed a figure coming towards them, a figure that was walking across the billowy waves unphased.  Fear filled their hearts as they believed it was a spirit approaching, but when Jesus called out to them and revealed his identity, Peter replied, "Lord, it if be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water" (v. 28).

Peter had witnessed numerous miracles of healing at Jesus' hands.  He knew that Jesus had some very special powers and abilities.  And having spent so much time with him, listening to him and learning from him, Peter knew that Jesus was a man without guile, full of compassion and kindness, someone who was completely trustworthy.  Even -- could it really be so? -- the promised Messiah!

Verse 29 continues, "And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus."

We know the rest of the story; that Peter broke his concentration on the Savior and began to notice the wind and the waves, and his faith wavered, allowing fear to impede him and almost drown him.  Peter then called out to the Lord to save him as he began to sink.

    "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
    And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased" (vs. 31 and 32).

Experiencing and witnessing this, everyone that was on the ship came and worshipped Jesus saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God" (v. 33).  Who can walk on water?, they must have reasoned.  Only a divine being could do that!

But, Peter did.  We don't know how many steps he took or how far from the ship he got, but his faith was powerful and incredible and resided in a mortal man's heart and mind!  So, what about me?  This sacred experience tells me that, like Peter, though mortal from both parents, I'm not doomed to fail.  My spirit was created first by Exalted Beings, therefore, it is within me to succeed.  My flesh might be weak, but it can learn.  I can gain experience in the times I fear and fall, and have the Savior's hand stretched out to me to lift me up.  I can look back and realize that I did make progress during my up times, and I can have confidence that I can keep going forward.

Not only that, but that I can overcome major obstacles.  I can.  I can.  The atonement, that beloved enabling power, is the "can" in "I can" and makes all things possible for me.  I might not ever need to walk on water during my life, but I have many challenges and weaknesses that I desperately want to rise above and walk confidently over.  I realize how often I limit myself because I think something is too hard or I am too weak or it's just not possible.

I limit my access to the atonement (Christ's power) and also discount the power endowed upon me (in small measure at birth when I came with the light of Christ, and then in great measure through temple covenant making).

In remembering that Peter walked on water, I am taught that I can overcome any obstacle -- if I just refuse to doubt the power given to me from God through Jesus Christ, my Savior.

The Power to Avoid Deception: Faith that is Never Blind

From time to time I hear, or read, someone posing questions such as: "How do you deal with the changes in Church policy and doctrine?  What do you do when you receive personal revelation that conflicts with what the prophet says?  What if you've fasted and prayed about something and received a powerful, spiritual witness to do something different than what the prophet says?"

In responding to these questions several possible scenarios come to mind:

• Ignoring personal thoughts and questions in order to do what the prophet says, no matter what.
• Being unsure of Church teachings, but concluding that prophets are trustworthy, and deciding to follow their counsel anyway.
• Actively searching for answers, by turning to friends, scriptures, Church leaders, prophets and apostles of different dispensations, then to God in prayer, and adjusting personal thoughts and opinions to match spiritual confirmation and accepting prophetic direction.
• Actively searching for answers by seeking out like-minded people, looking for authority figures who preach doctrine similar to your thoughts, becoming entrenched in philosophies of men and eventually distrusting and ignoring prophetic direction.
• Becoming apathetic towards religion because of the confusion, disappointment, and discouragement experienced while participating, and completely disengaging -- perhaps even trying to draw people away with you.

There are probably many more scenarios, but these few will suffice for now.  Perhaps they can all be defined by how personal v. prophetic revelation are balanced against each other.  How much weight does a person give to each item on the scale, in each scenario?

One person may assign very little value to his/her own ability and responsibility to seek out their own confirmation or revelation concerning any particular issue.  Another may try to find a more even balance, believing that whatever the Spirit tells them is as canonized as General Conference and scriptures.  Another may believe that prophets are to be followed, but only as far as personal conviction to outside beliefs will allow.

As I examine all these possibilities and the potential long-term, as well as short-term, ramifications on my own life, there are certain conclusions that result.

• Personal revelation doesn't supersede revelation from God to His anointed spokesmen.
• There is no such thing as blind faith.
• Examining the nature and roll of 'authority' can lead a person safely through conflicting beliefs and opinions, until he/she finds a satisfying resolution.
• Satan is as real as God is and he is actively working to deceive the children of God.

Personal revelation doesn't supersede revelation from God to His anointed spokesmen. 

So far as I can tell, there aren't any accounts of personal revelation superseding the teachings of the prophets.  Even in the case of Nephi killing Laban in the opening chapters of the Book of Mormon, Nephi was living under the Law of Moses and Laban had attempted to kill Nephi and his three older brothers, as well as had stolen all of the family's material wealth, and likely was involved with plots to kill his prophet father, Lehi.  Under the Law of Moses, Nephi may have been absolved of guilt and even been justified, though Nephi personally shrank back and wished he wasn't given this commandment.

If this holds true, then prophetic revelation and teaching holds more weight on the scale than personal revelation insofar as there is tension or conflict between the two.  If a person believes they are being granted by the Holy Ghost exemption from any law of God, then the person needs to take a second look at his/her conclusions and evaluate whether he/she is, in fact, receiving revelation from God and not a deception from the Adversary.

For example, I once met a woman who had come to believe that plural marriage was going to be reinstated so she and her husband decided to keep a woman who was down-and-out (and in their minds a potential candidate for a second wife) living with them in their house.  The agreement was that chastity would be observed until the ban was lifted.  But this plan failed and the original couple divorced, after which the husband married the now-mistress.  The first wife came to conclude that maybe the Spirit hadn't been telling them to prepare for a polygamous household, but to just help the second woman get back on her feet and on her way. In this tragic case, a family was broken apart as a result of putting perceived personal "revelation" above prophetic direction.

President Uchtdorf promised, "As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny."

There is no such thing as blind faith.

I really do not believe in there being such thing as 'blind faith.'  Not at all.  What we might call 'blind faith' I would relabel 'innocent faith.'  It is innocent because it has not been exercised yet and relies on other people.  I think of young children and new converts.  There is a belief, something inside of them nudging them forward to give this Church a try, or to believe that their parents are telling the truth.  Innocent faith is based on other people's testimony and is the ideal fertile ground in which to plant the gospel seed.


However, as children or converts begin to "experiment upon the word," as Alma says, they begin to see that good things happen in their lives when they keep the commandments, or they feel happy when they are actively involved at Church.  Little by little as they gain more knowledge and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and strive to live it, something will happen inside of them.  Some sort of challenge or trial or severe hardship will come, and suddenly they begin to reach out to God, to really know Him and His power.   Like a shaded plant, bending and reaching for the light.  Finding the light again, for themselves, makes their faith become stronger and more independent of other people.  New vision develops.

When my older brother died I found myself saying, "Now what?  Now how does this all fit into my life?  Now what does the atonement of Jesus Christ mean to me?  Now what does everything mean to me with my new eyes?"  From the ashes of my sorrow, I did experience for myself, like Alma, a restoring, healing, reconstituting power.  I was a new person, with new eyes, a new heart, a new mind.  I couldn't possibly look at the doctrines of the Church the same way any longer.  I had already established my own testimony, but now it became so much deeper.  My view had suddenly expanded and there was some adjustment to be made.  It was a painful healing process, but eventually my "joy was as great as was my pain."  Without any scientific tool to measure it, my faith became my measuring tool.  My faith had been tested, and though I faltered some at times and made some poor choices when coping with my initial sorrow, eventually I was righted up and I knew that it had come through the atoning power of Jesus Christ.

This is faith.  It is knowing without seeing, as powerfully and confidently as if you had seen.  Faith is based on experience, therefore it cannot be blind.  In this way faith can be exercised when considering the words of the prophets.  Innocent faith would cause a person to believe that the prophet is called of God because you believe that your parents or Primary teachers or the missionaries are telling you the truth.  And there is a warmth and gentle confirmation from the Holy Ghost.

But, once you start acting upon that foundational faith, and begin to have personal experiences with it for which no one else can claim responsibility, your faith matures.  Therefore, it becomes easier and easier to continue to cultivate the garden of the Word of God.  The system is in place and each doctrine, each teaching, each new program or adjustment to a program, is easier and easier to accept.  And when questions arise about any point of doctrine or practice, you gain powerful confidence that you can and will find the answer, that it will come through the Holy Ghost after searching the words of the prophets and turning to Heavenly Father in prayer. As President Uchtdorf urged, we would doubt our doubt before we would doubt our faith.

Examining the nature and roll of 'authority' can lead a person safely through conflicting beliefs and opinions, until he/she finds a satisfying resolution.

The maturing process of faith does hinge on something very important: to whom you assign the weight of authority.  So, who will you?  Who will you look to as a source of information and answers, and why?  How do they earn your trust and allegiance?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus the Savior gave us the answer!  "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).  He also said, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (v. 17).   Moroni, as prophets do, expounded on this warning system, "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.  But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" (Moroni 7:12-13).  And we know that we demonstrate our love for God by keeping his commandments (John 14:15).

If you can determine that the end result needs to be a belief in Christ that is accurate and can make salvation possible, then you can work backwards to figure out who or what will help you reach it.  If a person is saying that there is no sin in a certain behavior, first decide whether that person is encouraging you to serve yourself or God.  If the intent is for your own gratification, then that person is not a worthy authority figure, and you can know that they are incorrect.  Their teachings will not lead to eternal happiness and salvation.  If the motivation is to humbly serve God, according to His own teachings, then that person has something good to say.  If that person can verify the literal placement of divine authority on his/her own head, then that is the key to knowing that that person can be completely trusted.

Before trying to figure out whether a teaching of the Church is true, we should first seek out and develop a testimony that God is our Father, that He loves us and wants us to be happy.  Then gain a personal witness of the saving role and atonement of Jesus Christ.  Then find out for ourselves that God has spoken to humanity through prophets in ancient day, and it will become easier to believe that He has reestablished connection through prophets today.  Build up that knowledge, and faith will attend.  Once the groundwork has been established, clear and unobstructed understanding will come about any and every point of doctrine.  At least to a point that will leave us satisfied and contented until further light is given to us from God.  I have had this experience as I searched the scriptures to understand a certain gospel doctrine.  I came away from my personal study completely fulfilled and satisfied that I could continue to trust the prophets of God today.


Satan is as real as God is and he is actively working to deceive the children of God. 

This is a truth that can absolutely not be neglected if we want to stay safe in the latter days.  At every point in time, Satan has attempted to deceive mankind.  It began in the Garden of Eden and, without ceasing, has continued until our day.  Satan has no authority from God.  And it is the thing he most craves.  He gave Eve fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil without authority.  That was the problem.  The problem wasn't the tree or the fruit.  Neither tree nor fruit was evil. In fact, they were part of God's plan. The problem was that Eve was deceived by Satan. He gave her the fruit without having any authority to do so and she partook without having any authority from God to partake.

A persistent example is sexual intimacy.  Sexual intimacy and intercourse are good and right -- when consecrated by God through marriage that He ordains (between a man and a woman).  The problem of adultery, fornication, pornography, same-sex union, etc., is that sex is employed without that authorization from God.  Popular culture today promotes unauthorized sex so that Satan can deceive the masses to partake of a fruit that has been forbidden outside of proper context.  Satan succeeds in bringing misery, disease, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, despair, self-loathing, and a loss of confidence before God.

During his mortal ministry, the Savior warned that in the last days, "many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (JST-Matthew 1:9).   The Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to the Roman saints, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:17-18).

In our day, a person will not necessarily call him or herself a prophet. But they will try to act like one.  Picking out bits of scriptures or quote prophets and present it in such a way that is flattering to the wicked and confusing to the weak.  They will seek followers to support their philosophies.  They will make "fair speeches" and deceive many.

Jesus also warned, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matthew 24:24).  The "very elect," Joseph Smith revealed, are "who are the elect according to the covenant" (JST-Matthew 1:22).

If any person experiences a supposed "powerful, spiritual revelation" that sets them in defiance with the laws of God, that person should eventually realize that he/she has been deceived by Satan, the Master of Lies.  It is pride and vanity that would lead people to believe that they know better than the anointed prophets and apostles of the Lord.  It is the devil who seeks to flatter them, rile them up, or pacify them.

   For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.

   And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

   And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. (2 Nephi 28:20-22).

The Christians under covenant -- the temple-endowed Latter-day Saints -- are the bull's eye of the target.  Satan seeks to weaken our faith, diminish our resolve, to confuse us by the fair speeches given by our own, to cause us to believe that our own minds are brighter, our own hearts are more compassionate, our own wisdom is greater than God's.  Is this not the trick that Satan used in the premortal world?  It is a very successful one; he led way one-third of God's spirit children.

For us to be safe and keep this estate, as we did in the spirit world, it is imperative to resolutely put complete and full trust in God our loving Father, in His plan of salvation and happiness, in His chosen and anointed Savior Jesus Christ, and to believe that He meant what He said, "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38).

We can do this by exercising our faith, putting the gospel to the test, submitting in humility to all the will of the Father and finding out for ourselves that His "yoke is easy and [His] burden is light" (Matthew 11:30) by comparison with the heavy chains that Satan seeks to bind us with.

We can do this by repenting and discovering the marvelous power that the atonement of Jesus Christ makes available.  Being clean, free, light, happy, illuminated, and full of confidence rather than doubt or vanity, are the delicious fruit that invariably come when living in the truth, light, and way of our Savior.  Keeping the commandments and being true to baptismal and temple covenants will bring greater power to recognize deception and willingness to do God's work, rather than making our own gratification the goal.  

  And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

  Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

  And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

  For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live (D&C 84:19-22).

175 Years Ago: Haun's Mill Massacre

October 30, 2013 marked 175 years since the infamous Haun's Mill Massacre. On October 30, 1838, a small settlement in northern Missouri of about 80 men, women, and children was attacked by 200 armed, mounted men who were acting under the Mormon Extermination Order (Missouri Executive Order 44, p.61) given by Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs on Oct. 27th. Grossly misinformed, he ordered that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace."

My great-great-great aunt, Mary Steadwell, was shot through the hand as she pleaded for her life. She fell behind a long and upwards of 20 bullets were later observed in the log. She, however, survived. 15 men and 2 boys were shot to death when they became trapped in a blacksmith shop, where they had run for cover. Nearly 20 others were wounded, 4 would later die of their wounds.


As gruesome as the scene was -- and it was far worse than I am describing here -- there are some stories that emerged and have survived that are profoundly inspiring.

Abraham Palmer: "The next day after the aforesaid outrage a company of the mob came to him and brethren and said if you will deny your faith you can live with us in peace but if you will not you must leave the Country forthwith on pain of death for we will exterminate all of you that do not deny your faith men women and children. The above proposition was made by a man who had previously assisted in plundering our wagons he called his name Austin and Styled himself Captain of the Livingston County Spies" (sworn affidavit). He was not cowed and did not deny his faith in order to save his own life.

Margaret Mann Foutz: "During the first ten days the mob came every day with blackened faces, more like demons from the infernal pit than like human beings, cursing and swearing that they would kill that damn old Mormon preacher. (Her husband, Jacob Foutz) And, at times like these when human nature would quail, I have felt the power of God upon me to that degree that I have stood before them fearless and although a woman and alone, these demons in human shape had to succumb, for there was a power they knew not of. During these days of danger I would sometimes have to hide my husband out in the woods and cover him with leaves. And, then again in the house. Thus during my husband's illness was I harassed by mobocratic violence." Her husband had been shot in the thigh, but survived.

Amanda Smith: Her son, Willard, 11 years old at the time, later recorded the heroism of his mother. "As soon as I was sure [the mob] had gone, I started for the shop and was the first person to enter this holocaust, stepping over the dead body of my Father in doing so. I looked around and found by brother Sardis dead ... and my brother Alma almost lifeless. ... (Later, at home) [Mother] called her remaining three children around the bed, and they knelt and supplicated the Lord for faith and guidance. Mother dedicated Alma to the Lord, praying that he be restored and made well and strong, but if this were not possible, to take him in his innocence. This picture of my Mother's implicit faith in her Heavenly Father remained as a living testimony to her children through their lives.

In her terrible sorrow and bereavement, her only help could come from divine guidance. By inspiration, her prayers were answered and she knew what to do. ... The story of the miraculous healing of Alma's hip has been related many times, but few realize the constant terror of the stricken family, unable to leave the State as Alma could not be moved because of his injured hip; yet they were repeatedly warned that if they did not leave, they would be killed.

They were forbidden to call the family together for prayers or even to pray vocally alone. This Godless silence, Mother said, she could not stand, so one day, she went down into a corn field and crawled into a shock of the corn which had been cut. After carefully ascertaining that no one was within hearing distance, she said she "Prayed till her soul felt satisfied." As she left the shock of corn, although there was no one in sight, she plainly heard a voice repeating these words:

"That soul who on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I cannot­ I will not desert to it foes.
That soul, 'though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

From that moment Mother said she had no further fear of the mob, and she inspired us children with faith that if we conscientiously did right, the Lord would shelter us from harm. Although Alma lay in the same position for five weeks while the wound was healing, strength seemed to come to the limb suddenly. One day, when Mother was carrying a bucket of water from the spring, she was alarmed to hear the children screaming in the house. She rushed through the door to see them all running about the room with Alma in lead, crying "I'm well, Ma, I'm well!" Something had grown in to take the place of the missing ball and socket, and he was able to use the hip with no inconvenience. Although it was necessary in later years to pad the side of his trousers, he never suffered any pain or discomfort, although he filled a mission in the Sandwich Islands where he did a great deal of walking.

As soon as Alma was well enough that we could plan to leave Missouri, great difficulties presented themselves, one being that our horses had been confiscated by the mob. Finally, I went with Mother to Captain Comstock, leader of the mob, and she demanded the horses, one of which was in the field. He said we might have the animal by paying $5.00 for its feed bill. This Mother could not do as all her money had been stolen by the mob. I admired her courage when she walked out into the field and tying her apron around the horse's neck, led it home with no further objections."

I also admire her courage, and many others'. They did not desert the faith they had attained, even when in horrendous circumstances. This is my heritage and I aim to make them proud. 

For a chronology of events and first-hand accounts click here.

-Michelle Cox-

Courage with Eyes Wide Open

One of the many powerful stories of the Old Testament involves the prophet Elisha.  Elisha was chosen at a time when Israel had fallen into apostasy and tremendous efforts were being made to restore them to their covenants.  As prophet, Elisha demonstrated his priesthood power by parting the Jordan River, just as he had seen his predecessor Elijah do, he restored water to Jericho, multiplied the widow's oil, raised her son from the dead, directed Naaman in his healing from leprosy, etc.  What got the attention the most, however, of the Syrian king was Elisha's ability to somehow anticipate his battle strategies.  The Syrian king would tell his captains to set up camp in a certain Israelite land, and Elisha would be forewarned by the Lord in order to inform the king of Israel so that the Israelite army could avoid an attack.

After this had happened several times, the Syrian king was furious and demanded to know who was leaking information.  A servant replied, "Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber" (2 Kings 6:12).  As soon as they learned of Elisha's location, the king of Syria sent an army to destroy him.  And, in deed, the Syrian army was well prepared, arriving at night, surrounding the city was horses and chariots.

When Elisha's servant arose in the morning and discovered the danger, he alerted the prophet with, "Alas, my master! how shall we do?"  Naturally, the servant was terrified at what looked like their impending death!  What could they do?  How could they do anything in such a situation?

Elisha's answer teaches us many things.  He replied, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (v.16).

And when Elisha prayed for the young man's eyes to be opened, spiritually, they were.  "And, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (v. 17).  He then prayed for the Syrian soldiers' eyes to be spiritually closed so that they would not know him or recognize where they were. He then led them deep into Samaria, fed them, and sent them back home unharmed, thus securing safety for Israel through his merciful acts.

What we can learn is that not only is God with His faithful in their moments of need, not only do we need spiritual sensitivity to see God's hand and power in our lives, and not only should we have courage and faith, but that the Lord's anointed are given special gifts along with their authority.

Elisha had already watched the mighty prophet Elijah work with real power from God.  Before Elisha joined Elijah, Elisha had likely heard about, if not seen, the contest between Elijah and the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18), where fire burst down out of heaven "and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench (12 barrels-worth)" (v.36).  The idolatrous Israelites were finally becoming convinced that the Lord was the God.

Elisha's years of tutelage and service under Elijah informed, prepared, and consecrated him to do what he would later need to do in order to save Israel.  And not just national political deliverance, but individual salvation.

When Joseph Smith was called by God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision in the spring of 1820 to assist in the work of reestablishing the true Church, he was but a young boy of 14 years.  He had no prophet, bishop, or mission president to teach him and prepare him, so angels and Divine Beings were his tutors.  When we study Church history, we can see that Joseph did not right away understand that he was being called to be a prophet. At first all he wanted to know was which church to join so that his soul could be saved.  Then he was given charges and assignments. Then he was given priesthood authority and keys.  And the Church of Jesus Christ was, step by step, restored to the earth.

Along with those priesthood keys and the authority to exercise them, the Lord and subsequent angelic beings, opened Joseph's eyes by degrees until he came to fully comprehend the future of the Church.  He literally had visions opened to him so that his understanding could increase.  Several sections in the Doctrine and Covenants include commentary of Joseph studying a passage of scripture, seeking greater understand through prayer, and then having a glorious manifestation of additional light and knowledge.

Section 2 is important for many reasons, and one of them is for its censure by the Lord to Joseph for not trusting Him enough to refuse to lend the translation manuscript of the Book of Lehi to his friend and scribe Martin Harris, which had then been lost or stolen.  "For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God … you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble" (vs.7-8).  After a season of repentance, the task of translation was returned to Joseph Smith.

However, the Lord reminded Joseph that he had given him "sight and power to translate" (v.12).  This was literal sight to comprehend the ancient engravings on the gold plates of the Book of Mormon in order to translate them into English.  He had been given literal sight to behold the face of God Almighty and the Savior of the world.  He was given literal sight to view many other sacred and marvelous things that would add to the Restoration of All Things.

The early years of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is often described as an "infancy."  Everything had to be built from the ground up.  Every principle, ordinance, organization, and point of doctrine had to be carefully established, readjusted and fine-tuned to become exactly what God intended it to be. For example, when vicarious baptism was initiated, they were baptizing in a river, and often times on behalf of someone of the opposite gender.  When the temple was completed enough for work to begin in earnest, river baptisms were discontinued, and eventually only women could be baptized for women and men for men.

In October 2012 at the Saturday morning session of General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson, the man anointed as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and who currently holds all priesthood keys for the Kingdom of God on the earth, announced that the age requirement for young men and women to serve missions would be universally lowered.  Elder Holland expounded that the reasons were for "accelerating the fulfillment of that mandate" to preach the Gospel in all the world and because "God is hastening His work" (Press Conference, Oct. 6, 2012).

In the year since, the number of missionaries serving throughout the world has risen from 56,000 to over 80,000.  The feeling of momentum has become tangible!  It no longer feels that the Church is toddling as in the early days, and hasn't for many years, but now it is clearly running.  The newest Church Handbook of Instruction demonstrates the incredible care given to every detail in the administration of Christ's Church.  The vision is clear and unobstructed for those who are called to carry out this great work on the general level.  That vision can also be given to the humble lay-servants of the Church, all of the rest of us, as it was for Elisha's servant.

Having our eyes opened to see the power of God and His work will be a result of our own faith and will come as a gift from God Himself.  Humility will be the jointly-vital characteristic of the recipient.  Pride would invariably conflict with the ability to see exactly what God would want us to see.  Our pride or vanity would certainly obstruct if we were only looking for what we want to see and/or refuse to see what we do not want to see.

The Doctrine and Covenants opens with a strong voice of warning and counsel from our loving -- but powerful -- Savior, "And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets ad apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god … which shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." (D&C 1:14-16).

To see God and the glorious future for His Kingdom, clearly and completely, we must harken to His voice and give heed to the words of the anointed servants, the prophets and apostles. 

Historically, prophets and apostles have had literal authority conferred upon them to act in God's name.  They have historically been given power to do His work.  They have historically seen what needs to be seen and done what needs to be done.  That legacy continues today.  We can honor Joseph Smith as the prophet of the Restoration.  We can know that he was a tool in the Lord's hands to reestablish His covenant and His Kingdom.  We can have faith and confidence that those who are now serving as prophets and apostles are divinely authorized, divinely inspired, and divinely directed.  We can have faith and humility to see what they see, enough, in order to have courage and resolution to stay true to our ordinances and not deviate.

Relief Society: Sisters, This is Our -Hood

Photo Credit lds.org

"Daughters of God, do we know who we are? Do we know what we have?"  These questions were posed in the Saturday morning session of the October 2013 General Conference by Sister Carole M. Stephens.  As First Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, she addressed the worldwide membership of the Church, asking the sons of God, then daughters of God, if they knew who they were and if they knew what they had.

She continued, "As covenant sons and daughters, do we have faith in our Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for us? Do we have faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement? Do we believe that we have a divine nature and destiny? And in our efforts to achieve this destiny and receive all that the Father has, do we understand the importance of receiving priesthood ordinances and making, keeping, and renewing our covenants with the Lord?"

Sister Stephens listed the ordinances and covenants that we need:
We need baptism.
We need the gift of the Holy Ghost.
We need to receive the temple endowment.
We need the sealing ordinance, which leads to eternal life.
We need the opportunity to renew our covenants each week as we partake of the sacrament.

 All of these vital symbols of devotion are available to each and every worthy Latter-day Saint man, woman, and child, at appropriate age and maturity.

In 2 Nephi 26:33 Nephi declares, "[the Lord] inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."

Elder M. Russell Ballard explained, “Our Father in Heaven is generous with His power. All men and all women have access to this power for help in our own lives. All who have made sacred covenants with the Lord and who honor those covenants are eligible to receive personal revelation, to be blessed by the ministering of angels, [and] to commune with God.”

Sister Stephens added, "We all need each other. Sons of God need daughters of God, and daughters of God need sons of God.  We have different gifts and different strengths. First Corinthians chapter 12 emphasizes the need for sons and daughters of God, each one of us, to fulfill our individual roles and responsibilities according to the Lord’s plan, that all may benefit."

While men and women have distinct and specific roles and responsibilities, they are still expected to work in unity and equity to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth.  Within the family, husbands and wives are given clear instruction:

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Within Church service, men and women are, again, given distinct and specific roles and responsibilities that, when employed in humility and with charity, will successfully continue in God's essential work to lead His children to salvation and to prepare for the Savior's return.

The aforementioned list of ordinances and covenants is offered to us to receive in order that we might give.  We give in order to support the cause of Christ; building the Kingdom of God in preparation for the Savior's Second Coming.  At the heart of giving is service.

Men have been ordained to the order of the priesthood.  The suffix -hood is defined as "individuals sharing a (specific) state or character" (Merriam Webster Dictionary), "denoting a condition or quality, denoting a collection or group" (Oxford Dictionary.  Women have been organized into a Relief Society.  Society is defined as "a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct" (Merriam) and "an organization ... formed for a particular purpose or activity" (Oxford).

The oath and covenant of the priesthood is for ordained men to maintain the structure of the Church and conduct the sacred ordinances and covenants, while reaching out to individuals in order to strengthen and ennoble them.

The divine charge for Relief Society is to "seek out and help" all who are in need.  John A. Widtsoe taught that the work of Relief Society is the "relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman.”

In this light, the work of male priesthood and female Relief Society are united in purpose; ministering to others through service so that they can be shepherded along the path that leads to covenant making and covenant keeping.

Sisters need not feel slighted that priesthood ordination is not part of their assignment.  Sisters may preach, teach, preside, lead, instruct, inspire, plan, receive revelation, participate in temple ordinances, etc., without priesthood ordination because she has already been given her -hood.

Sisters, Relief Society is your -hood.  And the purpose is to serve others.  As explained in Daughters in My Kingdom, "The Relief Society was not just another group of women trying to do good in the world.  It was different.  It was "something better" because it was organized under priesthood authority. Its organization was a necessary step in the unfolding of God's work on the earth.  It prepared women of the Church to receive priesthood ordinances and covenants, and it helped them with their family responsibilities" (p. 16).

Emma Smith, the first president of Relief Society, had caught vision of the great importance Relief Society has in our Heavenly Father's plan for us.  She announced, "We are going to do something extraordinary. ... We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls" and Joseph Smith prophetically declared, "This society is to get instruction through the order which God has established -- through the medium of those appointed to lead -- and I now turn the key to you in the name of God, and this society shall rejoice and knowledge and intelligence shall flow down from this time -- this is the beginning of better days to this society" (p.14-15).

When the Prophet Joseph used his priesthood key to bless the society, he was also consecrating and dedicating it to similar privileges and responsibilities ordained men of the Church had already been utilizing; receiving knowledge and intelligence, as well as joy.

The end result for all who magnify their callings, whether it be in the priesthood quorums or the Relief Societies of the Church, is joy.  Service brings joy and love.  Worthiness for ordinances and covenants brings joy and love.  Unity and cooperation bring joy and love.

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness" (Moses 7:18).  "Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion—the pure in heart; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all the wicked shall mourn" (D&C 97:21).

Becoming a Witness of Christ

Artist Carl Bloch

Every one of God's children will face challenges, heartaches, set-backs, and disappointments -- because of our own mistakes or the mistakes of others.  Some might result from natural disasters or physical hardships that are inherently abundant in mortality.  All of these situations can feel binding, hindering, discouraging, and impossible to get through.  In the hardest of times, we might feel like we are in a kind of bondage with no way out.  In these dark times we might wonder why God has allowed this hardship to come upon us, or what He wants us to learn from it.

Through my own dark times of when I felt like I was in bondage; grief and mourning, overwhelming stress, lack of stable income, etc.; I have come to see that there is, indeed, something to learn -- and also to become.  As I have sought out and found healing through the Savior, I have learned that this life is a time to become something -- something greater than we already are or could become on our own strength -- and there is a way to achieve it.

We are baptized with the purpose of making a two-way promise with God, or a covenant.  We promise to keep His commandments, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, etc., and to be a witness of God (Mosiah 18:8-10).  In return, He offers us the Gift of the Holy Ghost, the member of the Godhead who provides comfort, peace, and direction.  Our Heavenly Father also promises to forgive us of our sins when we repent, so that we can become clean again and worthy of His presence and eternal joy.

But, what does it mean to be a witness of God, or of His Son Jesus Christ?  A witness is someone who can vouch for someone else; that what the person is saying is true, that what they claim is accurate.  If the Lord is offering healing from sorrow, renewed happiness, and a removal of sin and guilt through repentance, and we have experienced that for ourselves then we can say, "Yes, it is true.  He does do what He says He can, and will, when we do our part, because I have experienced it first-hand."  We can become a witness and help others gain trust in His grace and atonement by our testimony.

Artist Walter Rane

In the Book of Mormon, there is a record of the people of Alma who were true to their baptismal covenants, trying their best to keep the commandments and live peaceably together.  Despite their faithfulness, the wicked former priests of King Noah along with a group of Lamanite soldiers they had allied with, all who had been lost and wandering for some time, discovered and surrounded the peaceful covenant people, set guards around their city and subjected them to bondage (see Mosiah 23).  The people of Alma submitted to this, without a fight, because they believed that somehow God would deliver them from bondage.

The situation grew seriously worse before it got better.  The people of Alma were persecuted, then forced into physical labor, and then even condemned to die if they were found praying to God (Mosiah 24).  Alma and his people were in a situation that was literal bondage and there was no visible, possible way out.

The first thing the Lord did for them was to acknowledge their situation and their trust in Him, and then to comfort them in their affliction, giving them strength to bear it, even with patience, cheerfulness, and ease (vs. 13-14).  And finally, some time later, the Lord provided a way for them to escape and make their way to "the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also receive them with joy" (v. 25).

Verse 21 describes the reason for their joy in this new-found freedom, "for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God."

Verse 14 gives the reason why God allows bad things to happen to good people, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

Where did Jesus Christ gain this power to be able to visit his people in their afflictions and to ease their burdens, and finally to deliver them completely?  He gained this power by submitting to the will of the Father, taking upon himself all of the pains, sorrows, and sins of the world so that all who will accept his sacrifice and turn to the Father for forgiveness or relief will receive it.

It began in an olive grove and continued on a cross, culminating in the victorious moment in the dawning morning of the Savior's own resurrection.

By experiencing the pains of sin and sorrow, and then the sweet release from it, Jesus of Nazareth became, perfectly, the Redeemer of the world.  He now knew exactly what the aftermath of sin and hardship felt like, and he knew how to relieve the sting and heal the wound.

Isaiah, prophet and seer in Old Testament days, foresaw the coming Savior.  He saw that Jesus would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief ... he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows ... he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities ... and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:3-5).

Alma, on the American continent, son of the aforementioned Alma, also taught of Jesus' saving role.

    And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

    And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. (Alma 7:11-12)

What the Savior experienced will never be forgotten.  Recorded even in his resurrected body are the prints of the nails in his hands, wrists, and feet, and the spear wound in his side.  Jesus Christ will never be inadequate or unprepared to respond to anyone who sincerely seeks his healing power.  He reassures us, "yet will I not forget thee.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:16).

The scriptures and modern-day prophets testify that if we turn to the Lord when things are hard, He will visit us in our affliction, even to ease our burden, give us strength to bear it, and eventually grant deliverance.  Sometimes that restoration or restitution won't happen until the next Life, but it will come.  Because of this process of suffering, imploring, and healing, we can become a witness of Him and His power to heal, forgive, sustain, and comfort.  We overcome the weakness and unhappiness of this imperfect world.

We become patient, trusting, confident, and happy.

Since we have covenanted through baptism that we will stand as a witness "at all times, in all things, and in all places" then we should expect to experience bondage of one form or another at times because it is part of the process of becoming a witness.  Knowing this and being this, the bondage then does not debilitate, but will elevate us above the problem and we will grow in faith and love for the Savior.  And eventually be victorious.

When this brief life is over and we have the benefit of seeing ourselves and our mortal life within the context of eternity, it will be of much greater personal worth to us to have become witnesses of Christ than to have avoided pain and suffering.

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.”

—Orson F. Whitney, quoted by Spencer W. Kimball, in Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 98

Artist Walter Rane