First, the most important link: this week’s Come, Follow Me

The early days of the Church must have been wild.

If you were a member during 1830-1831, the first year it existed, you must have been so anxious to soak up everything Joseph Smith said. I can see why people went to him for everything. You’d have a reasonable confidence the Lord would speak to you directly, through him.

This happened to 25-year-old William McLellin, a brand new member of the Church. This excerpt is from the book Saints, Volume 1:

William was anxious to speak with Joseph. He had several specific questions he wanted answered, but he kept them to himself, praying that Joseph would discern them on his own and reveal their answers. William was now unsure where to go and what to do with his life. Without a family, he could devote himself fully to the Lord’s work. But part of him wanted to look out for his own welfare first.

That night, William went home with Joseph and asked him for a revelation from the Lord, as he knew many others had done. Joseph agreed, and as the prophet received the revelation, William heard the Lord answer each of his questions. His anxiety gave way to joy. He knew he had found a prophet of God.

Church life today is so different

Today, there are almost 18,000,000 total members. You’ll likely never meet the Prophet, let alone will he know you personally. This is even more true if you are a member outside of the United States, despite how much travel and ministry they do around the world.

I think we lose sight of this. You still need to gain your own testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice, of the Restoration of the Gospel, Priesthood authority, and that a living Prophet speaks for Christ today. But it’s a different kind of faith and testimony when you won’t really know that prophet, speak or counsel with him, let alone ask him to inquire of the Lord about you.

In 1830, there wasn’t even a printed Doctrine and Covenants yet. During this week’s sections (67-70), Joseph Smith starts speaking with other Church leaders about publishing them.

I like the transparency found in Come, Follow Me about the reservations other leaders had about publishing them. Joseph’s imperfections were apparently well known.

But this verse in particular stands out to me (D&C 67:10):

And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

The Lord reassures

The Lord detected that there were fears in their hearts. He knew they worried that by publishing the Book of Commandments there’d be more fodder for people to distrust or denigrate Joseph Smith as a Prophet.

I mean, it happened anyway, right? There will always be doubters.

In the next section we read this well-known scripture (D&C 68:4):

And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

And then verse 6:

Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

Are prophets perfect? No. Are they always charismatic speakers and writers? No. Are they concise, inspirational, and practical at the same time? No.

But they represent the will of the Lord, plain and simple.

I think about the dynamics of General Conference every time it comes around. These are not motivational talks the way the world typically thinks of motivational speakers. They’re quite dry. There is no drama. The speakers don’t even move around the stage. It’s calm, controlled, peaceful.

But time and again I have my testimony strengthened that the men and women who speak are sharing words inspired by Jesus Christ Himself.

Overcoming the natural man is all about recognition that a living prophet exists, and he knows better than me what the world needs. What I need to do is have ears to hear.

Photo courtesy of Bastian Riccardi.