Blessed, Honored Pioneers

On July 24^th, 1847 the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Also fleeing persecution, many others followed in the days, months and years after. Many of the pioneers faced severe trials and hardship. Hearts ached for the suffering of those who survived, and for those who died along the way. Throughout their trials their hope remained steadfast, because through their extremities they came to know God. Through the challenges they faced they learned more and more “the dealings of the Lord" (Mosiah 10:14). 

During this time of year the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remember and honor these pioneers, and their own pioneer heritage – whether they are the first in their family to join the Church, have ancestors who crossed the plains, or anything in between. My husband and I both have ancestors who crossed the plains and I would like to share a few of their stories; stories of faith, the power of prayer, and sacrifice.

The first story is one of faith. David [Crockett] lived with his parents in Vinal Haven Maine where he was introduced to the restored Gospel by Elder Wilford Wodruff, later President of the Church. The following is about David, his wife, Lydia Young, and their family.

“The family felt the urge to join the main body of they Church. The relatives and friends that couldn't accept the gospel at that time made it quite miserable for them….David and his family left their loved ones and their home and traveled to Ohio to join the church members there, but they were already leaving and coming to Nauvoo; so they came on to Nauvoo, Ill….The family was there two years and were eye-witnesses to, and sharers of the manifold hardships that were endured on church members…On [4 July 1949] they left for Salt Lake Valley….They came in the Williard Richards Company. 'The company moved on over the sandy deserts, each day traveling as fast as possible to reach the nearest place of water and then often either not finding any or finding it so muddy they couldn't use it. When it was a necessity to use it they would use their precious oatmeal and boil the muddy water in it so the mud would settle to the bottom--then they would make "Mormon tea" from the water on top. This tea was made with the water and a little milk or cream and sweetened with honey or sugar. They experienced hunger, cold, heat, sorrow, and gladness. It was a very weary journey, often they would pass many strange and awful sights--such as burial grounds of the saints, and demolished cabins. Then they would be afraid to sing around the campfire at night or play games to keep their spirits up, or even do much cooking, for fear the Indians would see their smoke from the fires and raid them. Their shoes were completely worn out from walking. Sometimes they would only get to rest and ride on the wagon tongue for a short period. There was one particular time along the way that they had traveled so far without finding water that the people all became so discouraged that finally when they stopped to look around again for signs of water, Lydia went off by herself to pray, and she prayed in all sincerity that they might be directed to a place where they could find water. She pled with the Lord and told him she knew that he knew how badly they were in need of water. When she rose from her knees she felt light-hearted and she knew her prayers were about to be answered. She walked a short distance from where she had been kneeling and called to the men to bring her a shovel and she could direct them where to find water. They were all amazed but followed her instructions and soon struck a small spring of water. Everyone was rejoicing and thanking their Heavenly Father for this modern day miracle. The spring was marked and all the Saints coming along that trail were able to get water.” (Donna Hopkins Scott, "The Crockett Family", p 14c-d [link to digital version])

Remembering to call upon the name of the Lord and through her faith Lydia was able to bless those who were with her, and the many people who followed afterwards.

The rescue story of Ephraim Hanks, another ancestor, is not easily forgotten. In the summer of 1856 several handcart companies left Ohio for the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived in September of that same year. There were two companies, however, (the Willie and Martin handcart companies) that didn’t leave until August. Some advised them to stay and wait until the next year, but many of the people in the companies wanted to move on. And they did.

In October of that year Brigham Young learned that there were pioneers still on the plains. Following is the address he gave in General Conference:

“I will now give this people the subject and the text of the Elders who may speak to-day and during the conference. It is this. On the 5th day of October, 1856, many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. The text will be, 'to get them here.' I want the brethren who may speak to understand that their text is the people on the plains. And the subject matter for this community is to send for them and bring them in before winter set in.

“That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people. This is the salvation I am now seeking for. To save our brethren that would be apt to perish, or suffer extremely, if we do not send them assistance.” (link to article)

Many wagons filled with food and supplies were sent to help. Ephraim at this time was at a conference several miles south of Salt Lake City, not arriving in Salt Lake City until late October. Andrew Jensen, an acquaintance of Ephraim, relates the following:

“This account of the handcart rescue is given by Ephraim K. Hanks himself….He related to me the following…

“Being somewhat fatigued after the day’s journey. I retired to rest quite early, and while I still lay wide awake in my bed I heard a voice calling me by name, and then saying: ‘The handcart people are in trouble and you are wanted; will you go and help them?’

“I turned instinctively in the direction from whence the voice came and beheld an ordinary sized man in the room. Without hesitation I answered, ‘Yes, I will go if I am called.’

“I then turned around to go to sleep, but had laid only a few minutes when the voice called a second time, repeating almost the same words as on the first occasion. My answer was the same as before. This was repeated a third time.

“When I got up the next morning I said to Brother Brown, ‘The handcart people are in trouble, and I have promised to go out and help them;’ but I did not tell him of my experiences during the night.”

He then hurried to Salt Lake City, arriving on October 20^th. They were asking for more volunteers to help the stranded handcart companies.

“When some of the brethren responded by explaining that they could get ready to start in a few days, I spoke out at once saying, ‘I am ready now!’ The next day I was wending my way eastward over the mountains with a light wagon all alone.”

“The terrific storm which caused the immigrants so much suffering and loss overtook me near the South Pass, [it] was simply awful….I have seen no worse. When at length the snow ceased falling, it lay on the ground so deep that for many days it was impossible to move wagons through it.

“Being deeply concerned about the possible fate of the immigrants, and feeling anxious to learn of their condition, I determined to start out on horseback to meet them…and began to make my way slowly through the snow alone.”

He met some of the relief parties that had helped the Willie Handcart Company and were returning to Salt Lake to report of the conditions they had witnessed. About 5 more days into the journey, on November 10, he continues:

“As I was preparing to make a bed in the snow with the few articles that my pack animal carried for me, I thought how comfortable a buffalo robe would be on such an occasion, and also how I could relish a little buffalo meat for supper, and before lying down for the night I was instinctively led to ask the Lord to send me a buffalo. Now, I am a firm believer in the efficacy of prayer, for I have on many different occasions asked the Lord for blessings, which He in His mercy has bestowed upon me. But when I, after praying as I did on that lonely night in the South Pass, looked around me and spied a buffalo bull within fifty yards of my camp, my surprise was complete; I had certainly not expected so immediate an answer to my prayer. However, I soon collected myself and was not at a loss to know what to do. Taking deliberate aim at the animal, my first shot brought him down, he made a few jumps only, and then rolled down into the very hollow where I was encamped. I was soon busily engaged skinning my game, finishing which, I spread the hide on the snow and placed my bed upon it. I next prepared supper, eating tongue and other choice parts of the animal I had killed, to my heart’s content….

“Early the next morning I was on my way again, and soon reached what is known as the Ice Springs Bench. There I happened upon a herd of buffalo, and killed a nice cow. I was impressed to do this, although I did not know why until a few hours later, but the thought occurred to my mind that the hand of the Lord was in it, as it was a rare thing to find buffalo herds around that place at this late part of the season. I skinned and dressed the cow; then cut up part of its meat in long strips, and loaded both my horses with it. Thereupon I resumed my journey, and traveled on till towards evening. I think the sun was about an hour high in the west when I spied something in the distance that looked like a black streak in the snow. As I got near to it, I perceived it moved; then I was satisfied that this was the long looked for hand-cart company, led by Captain Edward Martin. I reached the ill-fated train just as the immigrants were camping for the night. The sight that met my gaze as I entered their camp can never be erased from my memory. The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor sufferers, as they moved about slowly, shivering with cold, to prepare their scanty evening meal, was enough to touch the stoutest heart. When they saw me coming, they hailed me with joy inexpressible, and when they further beheld the supply of fresh meat I brought into their camp, their gratitude knew no bounds….

“A prophecy had been made by one of the brethren that the company should feast on buffalo meat, when their provisions might run short; my arrival in their camp, loaded with meat, was the beginning of the fulfillment of that prediction; but only the beginning, as I afterwards shot and killed a number of buffalo for them as we journeyed along.”

The account continues with stories of miraculous healings. Ephraim continues,

“Truly the Lord was with me and others of His servants who labored faithfully together with me in that day of trial and suffering…. In scores of instances, when we administered to the sick, and rebuked the diseases in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sufferers would rally at once; they were healed almost instantly. I believe I administered to several hundreds in a single day; and I could give names of many whose lives were saved by the power of God.”

Despite all the help the Martin Company received, many of the saints suffered from freezing limbs – and some losing them. Courage to keep moving on, despite the difficulty, was still required for these pioneers to survive.

“Soon more relief companies were met and as fast as the baggage was transferred into the wagons, the hand carts were abandoned one after another, until none were left.

“I remained with the immigrants until the last of Captain Martin’s company arrived in Salt Lake City on the thirtieth of November, 1856.” (link to account)

Ephraim Hanks was a great example of obedience, courage, and faith, and because of his help (and the help of numerous other rescuers) many of the pioneers were able to make it to the Salt Lake valley. The pioneers, themselves, had to continue pressing forward in faith despite the physical, emotional, spiritual, weather, and other challenges they faced.

Another ancestor, John Tanner, is an example of great faith and humility. This version of the story is the one recorded by my mother.

“The following was taken from my third great-grandfather’s John Tanner’s biography, it tells that he had a painful disease, which he was told, was incurable, in fact its character was unknown by the medical fraternity. His left leg from the thigh down was covered with black sores through which the muscles of the limb had formed into hollow tubes projecting outwards to the surface, and it was continuously oozing.

“He employed seven of the most eminent physicians in the country, but he received no relief. The last one, Dr. Black, frankly told him that he could keep running up a medical bill, but he was beyond the reach of medicine.

“For six months Grandfather Tanner had neither let his diseased limb hang down nor his foot touch the floor. He had to keep it at a right angle with his body and resting on a pillow. But his mind was active. Knowing his days were limited he decided he would spend the rest of his days doing good for his fellow men. He had a cart constructed that would hold his leg straight out in front of him so he could get around.

“Early in September 1832, (it was in March 1832 Jared Carter was sent on his mission [see Doctrine & Covenants 79]). There was a circular sent out that two Mormon missionaries would be preaching not far from John Tanner’s home. He was very well versed in the Bible, and he thought this was an excellent opportunity to help his fellow men, by disproving any heresy that he thought these Mormons were propounding. An hour before the meeting he arrived and took his place directly in front of the Elders so he could heckle them, sincerely believing they were impostors. They missionaries were Simeon and Jared Carter. Long before the discourses were over a wonderful change came over the mind of Mr. Tanner. After the meeting was over he invited them over to his home where he talked to them until eleven o’clock. He then told the missionaries that he was ready to be baptized, but he could not receive the ordinance. When they asked him why, he said “because of my lameness.” He explained that he had not put his foot to the floor for six months and there was no way he could do so now.

“Simeon Carter asked him if he did not think there was power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ anciently to heal all kinds of illnesses, to which he said yes. He then asked him if the Lord performed miracles then why could he not heal now. Mr. Tanner said he had never thought of it in that light. But yes he thought the Lord could heal him. Whereupon Elder Jared Carter demanded him in the name of Jesus Christ, to arise and walk. “I arose threw away my crutches, walked the floor back and forth, praised God and felt as light as a feather” was the way he described the event.

“That night he walked three-quarters of a mile to Lake George and was baptized by Simeon Carter. Walking back he gave thanks to God for his complete restoration to health.”

In a box containing many family documents, my grandmother found another story about John Tanner, and the sacrifice he was willing to make for the Lord's kingdom.

“In the fall of [1834, John Tanner] sold his two large farms and twenty-two hundred acres of timber land preparatory to moving to Missouri the coming spring. About the middle of December, he received an impression by dream or vision of the night, that he was needed and must go immediately to the Church in the west. He told his family of the instructions he had received and forthwith made preparations for the journey. While his neighbors regarded what they considered an insane purpose on his part, they did their utmost to dissuade him, but he knew the will of God in the present crisis and nothing could deter him from what he considered his duty. On Christmas day he commenced his journey, a distance of 500 miles, with all his earthly effects and in the dead of winter. He reached Kirtland about the 20^th day of January 1835. On his arrival there, he learned that at the time her received the impression, that he must move immediately to the body of the Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith and some of the other brethren met in prayer meeting and asked the Lord to send them a brother or some brethren with means to assist them in lifting the mortgage on the farm upon which the [Kirtland] Temple was being built. On the second day of his arrival in Kirtland, by invitation of the Prophet, John Tanner and his son Sidney met with the High Council, where he was informed the mortgage on the temple block was about to be foreclosed. Thereupon he loaned the Prophet $2,000, and took the Prophet’s note at interest [which he never redeemed, and gave back to Joseph in April 1844]. With this amount, the block or farm was redeemed. Mr. Tanner also loaned to the Temple Committee…$13,000 in merchandise, and took their note…This amount and that loaned the Prophet were not included in his liberal donations to the building of the temple. He also signed a note with the Prophet Joseph Smith and others for $30,000 of goods, in which he had no pecuniary [monetary] interest…His openheartedness was a very striking proof of his confidence in the Prophet and in the validity and importance of the work he had embraced.”

I found it interesting to read the “rest of the story” from his son, Nathan’s, record – found in the same box.

“This left father without anything….Father and family left Kirtland with a borrowed team, and had only one old broken down stage horse, and an old turn pile cart, and keg of powder, and $7.50 in cash.”

John Tanner was willing to sacrifice all of his worldly goods to help build up the Lord’s kingdom. When he returned the note to Joseph Smith in April 1844, we see more of his generosity, and the blessings that came to him, and his posterity, because of it.

“The Prophet asked him what he wanted done with [the note]. ‘Brother Joseph, you are welcome to it.’ The prophet then laid his hands heavily on Elder Tanner’s shoulders saying, ‘God bless, Father Tanner, your children shall never beg for bread.’”

My last story is a very simple one, as recorded by my grandmother. Not as detailed as the others, but really touched me. I think it was the example of love and sacrifice they made to remember their ancestry.

“Jane Zerilda Baker…came to Utah with her older sister Mary Rosina, and Father in the Amasa M. Lyman Co. 19 Oct 1848 when she was eleven years old.

“Just before Mother died she gave me a pickle dish, and told me it was the last piece of the set of dishes that came from England, that belonged to my Great Grandmother. In spite of the crowded wagon, her Dad must have brought this special set of dishes all the way across the plains for Zerilda.”

Many, many others crossed the plains. Many, many others are the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattter-day Saints in their family. Be it what it may, we are all modern-day pioneers with an unknown future ahead of us. President James E. Faust said,

“As modern-day pioneers looking to the future, we must be willing to go into the unknown, having the same confidence and commitment in following [the Prophet] and the other constituted authorities of the Church.

“Believing involves faith and good works. We cannot be passive; we must actively avoid evil.” (link to talk)

Life is not easy, and isn't meant to be, but we can still find hope and peace amidst the storms. We need to actively follow the Lord. We need to build unwavering faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and in His Prophet. Elder Russell M. Nelson says the following about having faith for the future.

“Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord ‘shall suffer persecution.’ That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.” (link to talk)

President Boyd K. Packer gives up hope for these perilous times in which we live, also referring to Paul’s prophecy of the last days.

“In Paul’s revelation [2 Timothy 3:1-7], in addition to the list of challenges and problems, he also tells us what we can do to protect ourselves:

‘Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

‘And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’

“The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.” (link to talk)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expounds a little deeper on the importance of the scriptures in our day; specifically the Book of Mormon.

“The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days ‘men’s hearts [shall fail] them.’…

“Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: ‘Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived’—and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you.” (link to talk)

As we strive to follow the Prophet on the earth, daily immerse ourselves in the Book of Mormon, daily pray individually and as a family, paying our tithing, and other things as we have been counseled, we will be blessed. As we “always remember Him”, the Lord can grant “his spirit to be with [us]” (see Doctrine & Covenants 20:77) to guide us in the path of safety and peace, as we move forward on our own pioneer journey into the unknown.

Lessons from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

My purpose is not to try and convince you that the Book of Mormon is true. I can't. It is only through the convincing power of the Holy Ghost that "[you] may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5) – if you ask in faith. President Joseph Field Smith said the following,

“The Spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.” (link to manual)

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and goes hand in hand with the Bible. Why do we need another book of scripture when we already have the Bible? Elder Mark E. Peterson explains it this way.

“Having been taught that the Bible contains all of the word of God, some ask us why we have these other scriptures. They do not realize that the Bible provides for more scripture and that it points to a pattern established anciently by the Lord in which He placed prophets on earth to provide that scripture….

“The chief reason we have the Book of Mormon is that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established. We have the Bible; we also have the Book of Mormon. They constitute two voices—two volumes of scripture—from two widely separated ancient peoples, both bearing testimony to the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (link to talk)

In his talk he gives many, many more explanations about the Book of Mormon, and the prophecies and realization of it’s coming forth, but that is not what I want to cover. I want to share some of the lessons that I have learned from studying the Book of Mormon.

Lesson 1: Obedience to God’s commandments makes a difference.

The first great lesson that came to my mind when I started thinking about this book was the story of Nephi, in the First Book of Nephi. Nephi’s father, Lehi, is a prophet who is commanded to leave Jerusalem because people are seeking his life (like all ancient prophets, it seems). They leave, and then the Lord commands Lehi to send his four sons back to Jerusalem to get the scriptures, recorded on brass plates, from a very wealthy leader in the city – Laban. As Nephi recounts the story he shares his testimony with us.

“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

After two failed attempts at getting the brass plates, and his brothers wanting to give up and go back to the wilderness, Nephi knows the Lord will provide a way and decides to move forward on his own. He creeps into Jerusalem at night, not knowing what is going to happen. Here are Nephi’s words,

“And it was by night; and I caused that they [my brothers] should hide themselves without the walls. And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi, crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.

“And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

“Nevertheless I went forth” (1 Nephi 4:5-7, emphasis added)

Nephi knew that the Lord could do anything. He could have provided the needed scriptures outside of their tent in the wilderness. But, in His great wisdom, He sent them on a journey for a greater purpose; to strengthen their faith – as well as giving all those who now read his words hope, and an example to follow. Nephi’s faith, moved him to action, and is what brought about the miracle that followed. He is able to obtain the brass plates so that his family can take them into the wilderness. More importantly, they are able to bring the record with them to the promised land. Without this written record they would not be able to have the scriptures in order to pass the teachings they contain down through generations. There is much power in the written word, especially the word of God through His prophets.

How was Nephi able to get to a point where he trusted the Lord enough that he was willing to walk into a major city at night and somehow find the one thing the Lord needed him to find? Nephi’s trust came through obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Time after time he pleads with is brothers to be obedient. Why? In 1 Nephi 17:35 we read, “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.”

A reoccurring theme we read in the Book of Mormon is that those who are obedient are blessed by the Lord. Their lives are not free from challenges (far from it) but amidst those challenges they are still able to find joy and peace, through their faith in Jesus Christ; faith which leads to action. It is through obedience that we can build enough faith in Jesus Christ to keep going when things get tough.

Lesson 2: Through the Lord we can Strengthen Our Weaknesses

Each of us is a literal spirit child of our Heavenly Father. If we can firmly grasp that concept it can help us in realizing that there really is a God in Heaven who wants to help us – he is our Father. As President Uchtdorf testified,

“Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.

“God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season—He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.” (link to talk)

Because of His love for us, our Heavenly Father has provided us with his Plan of Salvation that, if we follow it, will lead us back to Him. We each have strengths and weaknesses, but we must remember our divine nature. We were each created in the image of God, our Father. Joseph Fielding Smith speaks of this divine nature.

“Man has within him the power, which the Father has bestowed upon him, so to develop in truth, faith, wisdom, and all the virtues, that eventually he shall become like the Father and the Son; this virtue, wisdom, and knowledge on the part of the faithful does not rob the Father and the Son, but adds to their glory and dominion. Thus it is destined that those who are worthy to become his sons and joint-heirs with our Redeemer, would be heirs of the Father’s kingdom, possessing the same attributes in their perfection, as the Father and the Son now possess.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:35.)

To become like God is not a trivial matter. It will not come in this life, nor will it come without considerable effort on our part – and even then we cannot do it on our own. We must be cleansed through the atoning blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Richard G. Scott said,

“Each of us has had times in our lives when we have made poor choices. We are all in desperate need of the redemptive power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Each of us must repent of any rebellion. ‘For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.’ He cannot because He knows what it takes to become like Him.

“Many of us have allowed weakness to develop in our character. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we…can build spiritual fortifications between ourselves and any past mistakes that Satan attempts to exploit. “ (link to talk)

We need to use the time we have on this earth to strive to become truly aligned with the will of God. “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” (Alma 34:32). We are reminded us of the daily struggle we will face, and the necessity for the wise use of our agency, through the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell.

“It is up to us. God will facilitate, but He will not force.

“Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, ‘the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day’ (in Journal of Discourses, 11:14). Therefore, true Christian soldiers are more than weekend warriors.” (link to talk)

Our ultimate desires will largely influence how we choose to act on the strengths and weaknesses that we have. Our desires will also be a determining factor in whom we will become in this life and in the life to come. Elder Maxwell continues, and speaks of our desires being integrally connected to the outcome of our time here in mortality.

“Whether in their conception or expression, our desires profoundly affect the use of our moral agency. Desires thus become real determinants,…

“Desire denotes a real longing or craving. Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Of course our genes, circumstances, and environments matter very much, and they shape us significantly. Yet there remains an inner zone in which we are sovereign, unless we abdicate. In this zone lies the essence of our individuality and our personal accountability.

“Therefore, what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity. ‘For I [said the Lord] will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts’…

"God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us.” (link to talk; emphasis added)

From the Book of Mormon we read,

“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” (2 Nephi 2:27)

The Lord has given us the knowledge to choose between good and evil. He is always waiting to help us, but we need to remember to ask for His help. That is not true with the adversary; he is always on the move looking for ways to entice us to succumb. We need to remember that Satan desires that all men be miserable like he is. His sole purpose is to bind us in such a way that we feel that we cannot return to God, or even approach our loving Father for help. Satan has learned that through patience and enticing us to numerous small, seemingly insignificant, infractions of sin he can accomplish his purposes.

“...for he is the founder of all…works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.” (2 Nephi 26:22)

When I was thinking about what I can do to strengthen myself against the adversary, one of the stories from the Book of Mormon came to mind. It is found in the Book of Helaman. There is a war between the Lamanites and the Nephites (a recurring theme throughout the Book of Mormon) and this time, “the Lamanites had gathered together an innumerable army of men, and armed them…” (Helaman 1:14). The Nephites were unprepared because they had been distracted by so much contention in the government that they didn’t guard their capital city well “for they had supposed that the Lamanites durst not come into the heart of their lands to attack that great city Zarahemla” (Helaman 1:18) The Lamanites were prepared, attacked the weakened city, and took control of it.

Satan will attack us where we are weakest, and for a human soul, made of spirit and body, the body is a prime target. Elder Melvin J. Ballard states,

“…the assault that the evil one will make upon us to capture us will be made through the body. That is the line of contact. You have all heard the adage that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link. It will break at its weak point. Generally we will observe that our weak link is in the flesh. The devil knows the weak link, and when he undertakes to capture a soul he will strike at the weak point. There may be strength elsewhere, but he never attacks us where we are strong. He attacks where we are weak.” (link to article)

Before we came to earth we all lived as spirit children with our Father in Heaven. Satan was there, and we knew him. When we came to earth a veil was placed over our mind, but not his. He is very aware of our strengths, our weaknesses, and who the Lord knows we can become. As we trust in the Lord, however, we can find strength in Him, for “he is mightier than all the earth” (1 Nephi 4:1). In the Book of Mormon we find out how to make our weaknesses stronger,

“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27)

The Lord truly has, as Nephi testified, provided a way whereby we may accomplish all that He requires of us. By humbling ourselves and coming to Him we can overcome the tendencies of the natural man.

Lesson 3: Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all mankind may be saved.

The Lord knows that “the natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19). We need to be continually reminded of the things of God or we have a tendency to revert back to our ‘natural man’ state. In the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley,

“We are all so busy with our mundane pursuits which pull us this way and that. We all need, the whole world needs, the opportunity to meditate and reflect on the things of God and to listen to words that inspire and help.” (link to talk)

The Law of Moses was established anciently, as a physical reminder of the forthcoming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and as a reminder to remember the things of God. After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior appeared to the Nephites on the American continent and announced a change from the Law of Moses. From the book of Mormon we read the words of Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name….

“And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.

“I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

“And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit….” (3 Nephi 9:15, 17-20; emphasis added)

To be contrite means “feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming” (link). As we humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledge our faults and shortcomings, and have faith in Him, we can gain access to the power of His atoning sacrifice. Partaking of the sacrament each week is one place we can think of this sacrifice – a sacrifice He made for us. 

The prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, also speaks of the Law of Moses being fulfilled through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

“And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law [of Moses], every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

“And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

“And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety…” (Alma 34:14-16)

Through the foresight and mercy of our Heavenly Father we have been blessed to have a Father in Heaven, and our Elder Brother, who love us more than we can fathom. "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (Article of Faith 1:3). Through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ we can have hope of repentance. The scriptures have been preserved for our day, and the Book of Mormon has been written specifically for us, as noted by Moroni, the last prophet from the Book of Mormon. 

“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35).

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, you don’t have to take my word for it. Moroni, in his final chapter in the Book of Mormon, records the following promise. 

“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:3-5)

This is another one of the Lord’s promises; specifically about the Book of Mormon. Prove the Lord, and find out for yourself.

Agency

In Alma chapter 32 we find Alma teaching a group of people who have been humbled by their afflictions. He teaches them about faith and compares the words he speaks to a seed that must be planted and nourished if it is to take root. He then states, “ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering” (Alma 32:43). This got me thinking about agency. Agency in its simplest form is the ability to choose; the ability to decide the action that we will take.

Each and every day of our life we are given numerous opportunities to make choices. Some are insignificant, yet some can make all the difference to our eternal progress and exaltation. The choices we make might be based on our desires, past experiences, beliefs, expectations, necessity, or our circumstances. One thing we need to remember about agency and making choices is where they will ultimately lead us. President Thomas S. Monson explains it this way:

"Life’s journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed: the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny" (Thomas S. Monson, "Courage Counts” Ensign, Nov 1986).

It is our thoughts and actions that will ultimately show our greatest desires.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell states:

“Actually, everything depends—initially and finally—on our desires. These shape our thought patterns. Our desires thus precede our deeds and lie at the very cores of our souls, tilting us toward or away from God. God can ‘educate our desires’. Others seek to manipulate our desires. But it is we who form the desires, the ‘thoughts and intents of [our] hearts’.

“The end rule is ‘according to [our] desires … shall it be done unto [us]’, ‘for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts’. One’s individual will thus remains uniquely his. God will not override it nor overwhelm it" (Neal A. Maxwell, “'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father'”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

Agency is not something new, and it is not limited to our short sojourn here on earth. Before we came to earth each of us had the ability to choose, and those of us who are here chose to be here. President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke of premortal spirits possessing agency when he said:

“God gave his children their free agency even in the spirit world, by which the individual spirits had the privilege, just as men have here, of choosing the good and rejecting the evil, or partaking of the evil to suffer the consequences of their sins.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:58-59)

Agency is such a critical piece of our Father in Heaven’s Plan of Salvation that He watched as some of His spirit children chose not to follow His plan, but instead chose to follow Lucifer – to their own eternal detriment.

The Lord allows us to make choices, and through trial and error we learn more about what we want and what we don’t want. In the end, we show through our choices what it is that we truly want.

Marion G. Romney explains:

“Over and over again the scriptures teach that men receive from the Lord according to their desires. Alma declared:

“… I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction” (Marion G. Romney, “Magnifying One’s Calling in the Priesthood”, Ensign, May 1973).

We are on this earth to be tried and tested. In Abraham the Lord explains, “And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:25).

In a vision to Moses the Lord states His purpose for our existence. “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). His goal is to help us attain eternal life with Him. Everything He asks of us is for our eternal benefit. We cannot see the end from the beginning, as He can, so we must learn to trust in and rely on His ultimate plan for us.

We have been blessed with a body, and also the ability to think for ourselves. Our minds are amazing. With them we can choose to do so much. Those choices are based on our ultimate desires, whether they be good, bad, or indifferent.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin speaks of the power of the mind when he said:

“All evils to which so many become addicted begin in the mind and in the way one thinks. Experience teaches that when the will and imagination are in conflict, the imagination usually wins. What we imagine may defeat our reason and make us slaves to what we taste, see, hear, smell, and feel in the mind’s eye. The body is indeed the servant of the mind.

“In his widely acclaimed essay As a Man Thinketh, James Allen reinforced what Jesus so beautifully proclaimed. Mr. Allen wrote:

“Man is made or unmade by himself; in the armoury of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself; he also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace. By the right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast. Between these two extremes are all the grades of character, and man is their maker and master. …

“All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts. (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., n. d., pp. 8–9, 34.)" (Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Pondering Strengthens the Spiritual Life”, Ensign, May 1982).

With the ability to choose we need to be careful how we use our precious time on this earth, and whom we "list to obey" (Alma 3:26). As we choose to follow the Savior we may strive to not commit sin, but we will need to dig a little deeper within ourselves to also be committed to do those things we should be doing. This comes through consecrating our hearts to the Lord, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell explains:

“To the extent that we are not willing to be led by the Lord, we will be driven by our appetites, or we will be greatly preoccupied with the lesser things of the day….

“Once the telestial sins are left behind and henceforth avoided, the focus falls ever more on the sins of omission. These omissions signify a lack of qualifying fully for the celestial kingdom. Only greater consecration can correct these omissions, which have consequences just as real as do the sins of commission. Many of us thus have sufficient faith to avoid the major sins of commission, but not enough faith to sacrifice our distracting obsessions or to focus on our omissions” (Neal A. Maxwell, “'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father'”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

Faith

This brings us to faith. One of the first principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to have “...faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Articles of Faith 1:4).

In Alma 33 the people Alma has been teaching ask him how to plant the seed of faith. His response is to, “begin to believe in the Son of God” (Alma 33:22).

Believe there really is a God. Believe that his Son died for you. Believe that you really can be forgiven. Believe that you really can change. And this 'good seed' of belief will work in you. As you believe and ask God for forgiveness you will feel a lightening in your soul – a great weight of sin being removed, a realization that there really is a God in heaven who knows you, loves you, and is waiting with outstretched arms to help you. You will then be able to recognize that this seed must be good; and seeds from the same tree produce the same fruit. So believe and continue to taste of all the wonderful fruit that this tree has to offer. 

Elder Richard G. Scott says this about faith:

“When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. But true faith, faith unto salvation, is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in His doctrines and teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord’s anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power” (Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character”, Ensign, Nov 2010).

Just like planting a tree, nurturing it, and waiting for the fruit to grow, it takes time and nurturing before the seed of faith will grow. Some of the ways to increase our faith are through obedience, studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting, paying tithing, temple attendance, and service.

Prayer

Another important principle is that of prayer. In the Bible Dictionary we learn about the relationship between God, man, and prayer.

“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings” (Bible Dictionary, "Prayer").

As we humbly approach our Father in Heaven in prayer, we may not always receive the answers we desire. We must learn to have faith in the Lord and in His timing.  As Elder David A. Bednar states,

“The object of our prayers should not be to present a wish list or a series of requests but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing. Every sincere prayer is heard and answered by our Heavenly Father, but the answers we receive may not be what we expect or come to us when we want or in the way we anticipate” (David A. Bednar, "Ask in Faith”, Ensign, May 2008)

Let me share an experience from my own life. A few years ago, the company that my husband worked for was forced to downsize, and my husband was told that he would be let go. Through a bit of effort on his part he had a job offer shortly after this announcement. The job was exactly what he wanted to do, with good pay, a good location, and the timing was perfect. We took our decision, to accept this job offer, to the Lord and felt a very definite “no.” We were surprised but decided to trust the feeling. We declined the offer, and they extended the offer again – something they did three times (an additional test of our faith). My husband then became unemployed, with no other offers in sight.

After three months he was able to find another job; but when compared to the earlier job offer this one did not look like his ideal job. Now, several years later, we reflect back on the employment opportunities that have come to us since that time, and the tremendous opportunities for growth and development my husband has had that would not have come had we accepted the original job offer.

Prayer is a very personal way that we can find out the will of the Lord for ourselves. It allows us to communicate with our loving Father in Heaven. I love this quote by Elder Richard G. Scott about the personal nature of prayer:

“Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with

Him as our Father….

“It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer” (Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer”, Ensign, May 2007).

The Lord knows all, and as we humble ourselves before Him we can be guided in our lives to find greater fulfillment and happiness than we could have found on our own.

Scriptures

Reading, studying, pondering and applying the scriptures in our lives is another way that we can choose to follow the Savior.

I want to speak in particular about the Book of Mormon, and the promises it contains. I have read the Book of Mormon many times throughout my life. A few years ago I realized that the stories had become so familiar that I didn’t really get much out of my scripture reading. I remembered a talk by President Ezra Taft Benson in which he talked about reasons for reading the Book of Mormon. He said,

“It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path” (Ezra Taft Benson, "The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion”, Ensign, Nov 1986).

Marion G. Romney also spoke of the power that comes from a regular study of the Book of Mormon when he said:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Marion G. Romney, "The Book of Mormon”, Ensign, May 1980).

I decided that I was going to test these promises and make a daily, purposeful study of the book of Mormon. When I first started, I was a little worried because I generally read right before bed. I didn't think I could get much out of it, and I was also worried that staying up late to read would not be as beneficial as sleeping. As a young mother I was often very tired, leading to my emotions running a bit high at times. I knelt down and explained my situation to the Lord – how I wanted to begin a serious study of the Book of Mormon, but was a little nervous about the effects that come from late nights and losing sleep.

I started to read every night, and prayed before I read. One thing I noticed was the amount of sleep I needed seemed to lessen. I was able to function well and my emotions stayed in check. About a month after starting this experiment I had a really rough day when I got angry and ended up in tears. When I talked to my husband about my troubles he said that he was surprised at my reaction. He said that for the past month there had been such a wonderful, peaceful feeling in our home.

My husband knew nothing of my experiment, and I feel that the spirit in our home was changed because of my consistent reading from the Book of Mormon. There truly is a power that comes from reading the scriptures. One lesson this experience has reinforced to me is that when I remember to turn to the Lord for help, He is always there.

Obedience

Obedience, to me, is an all-encompassing principle. Much of what we do, and who we become, in life depends on our obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father. True obedience cannot be forced. It comes from way down deep inside, and is reflected in the person we are becoming. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said this about obedience,

“Seventy years ago, Lord Moulton coined a perceptive phrase, ‘obedience to the unenforceable,’ describing ‘the obedience of a man to that which he cannot be forced to obey’. God’s blessings, including those associated with consecration, come by unforced obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated. Thus our deepest desires determine our degree of ‘obedience to the unenforceable.’ God seeks to have us become more consecrated by giving everything. Then, when we come home to Him, He will generously give us ‘all that [He] hath.’

“…the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give,’ brothers and sisters, are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us” (Neal A. Maxwell, "'Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father’”, Ensign, Nov 1995).

As we strive to be obedient to God’s will, instead of our own, we can be guided and directed by the Holy Ghost. Attending the temple, as often as we can, will help renew our spirits and provides a greater understanding of the plan of salvation. As we pay our tithing the Lord has said, “prove me now herewith…if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:20). This is a promise from the Lord. Plant the seed and test this promise.

As we continue on our journey leading to eternal life, we need to remember what we are aiming for. If it is eternal life with Heavenly Father, then obedience to His laws is what will get us there. It is also through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can become cleansed from our sins and imperfections, and try again when we fall short. Elder David B. Haight reminds us,

“Immortality comes to us all as a free gift by the grace of God alone, without works of righteousness. Eternal life, however, is the reward for obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel” (David B. Haight, "The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice”, Ensign, Nov 1989).

It doesn’t matter to the Lord what specific assignment we complete or if we are doing better than soone else. In the day of judgment we will not be compared to anyone, except ourselves. As we put the Lord first in our lives things will work out in the end. Elder Rex C. Reeve states:

“I suppose in the day of judgment the question won’t be so much what did you do or where did you serve, but rather, did you serve me with all your heart? Did you put me first in your life?...

"Yes, the answer and solution to all the challenges and needs we have, national or personal, is to turn our hearts to God, put Him first in our lives, keep His commandments—and all things will work for our good, even those tests which seem so big and require so much. They, too, will bless our lives” (Rex C. Reeve, "Look to God”, Ensign, Nov 1982)

What will truly make a difference in the next life is the direction we are facing when we leave, and the choices we made while here on earth. President Henry B. Eyring states, "If we choose the right, we will find happiness - in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret - in time. Those effects are sure" (Henry B. Eyring, "A Priceless Heritage of Hope”, Ensign, May 2014). In the end, the rewards we receive from the choices we made will be ours, and ours alone.