And Merry Christmas to all!
As Christmas time rolls around every year it always becomes a great time to remember Christ our Savior and Redeemer, and as we were told on Tuesday by L. Whitney Clayton of the seventy, it is never to early to celebrate the birth of Christ, and remember and give thanks to Christ for the Atonement, as well as God for sending His son.
Now as December comes through I look forward every year to the 23rd the day of Joseph Smith's birthday a chance not only to remember Christ but also His servant and prophet. Today and much of this last week I have been reflecting quite a bit on Joseph Smith both in anticipation for his birthday and because both of our teachers have gone home for the Holidays and we have a bunch of subs and have been teaching the 1st lesson over and over again, a few things come to mind. One the song of Joseph's first vision (it's not called that I think, it is song 14 in the Spanish hymn book) has been playing through my head all day. Second is of a story that I heard for the first time here of Joseph as a younger boy and how Satan knows and doesn't forget what is suppose to come to pass and will still try to stop it.
- Joseph was walking out of his home one day (about nine years old I think) and a shot was fired and a bullet wizzed past his face. They found the place where the man had been lying under a wagon later and the bullet in the neck of one of their cows, and the family could think of no reason at the time why this murder was attempted.
Joseph continues in life questioning what sect of all the sects is correct and as he reads in James and finds the famous scripture telling him to ask God. I believe that He completely expected an answer, that as King Benjamin in Mosiah 3:19 talks about being a child, Joseph walked into the grove of trees submissive, meek, humble, with faith, and knowing God has all power and could answer this simple question. He just didn't expect such a great answer, and even as the persecution increased he knew that this was right. (See JSH 1:25)
My challenge is to read the other accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision (and someone should send them to me) becuase I know there is another 3 or 4 and that they are all true.
I add my testimony to the one of John Taylor's that Joseph Smith...has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. (D+C 135)
Closing in the name of our Savior Jesucristo, Amen,
Have a wonderful day
Elder Gillespie
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