The Restored Gospel & Christian History Lesson 25 & 26

The last week of this course we discussed what the significance of Joseph Smith going to his death willingly.

The scripture that came to my mind is when Joseph Smith testified and it is recorded in the Pearl of Great Price Joseph Smith 1:22-25

22 I soon found, however, that my telling the story had excited a great deal of prejudice against me among professors of religion, and was the cause of great persecution, which continued to increase; and though I was an obscure boy, only between fourteen and fifteen years of age, and my circumstances in life such as to make a boy of no consequence in the world, yet men of high standing would take notice sufficient to excite the public mind against me, and create a bitter persecution; and this was common among all the sects—all united to persecute me.

23 It caused me serious reflection then, and often has since, how very strange it was that an obscure boy, of a little over fourteen years of age, and one, too, who was doomed to the necessity of obtaining a scanty maintenance by his daily labor, should be thought a character of sufficient importance to attract the attention of the great ones of the most popular sects of the day, and in a manner to create in them a spirit of the most bitter persecution and reviling. But strange or not, so it was, and it was often the cause of great sorrow to myself.

24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a vision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the persecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.

25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

When Joseph says, "I knew it and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it" I understand Joseph resiliency that he would not change or deny his testimony because it was true.

I too have received my testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost, and know that God lives, we are His children. Joseph Smith did see Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, and spoke to them. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration and all the priesthood keys, authority and ordinances have been restored through him. Since the Restoration, we have had a prophet on the earth that leads us today and Heavenly Father continues to reveal truth to Him. The Savior, Jesus Christ leads His church through prophets, and today President Thomas S. Monson is our prophet, seer and revelator. Jesus Christ atoned for us that we might return back to God's presence if we repent and accept our Savior, and follow Him.