Today I studied D&C 122, a scripture that often come to me when life seems hard. In this scripture, Joseph Smith has been in jail for several months, watching helplessly while his faithful Saints are being driven from their homes and tortured. His cries to God in section 121, “Oh God, where art thou?” reveal his deep and sincere anguish at the suffering of his people, those whom he has labored so diligently to shepherd along the righteous but ever so difficult path.
Sometimes it seems the Lord is not there along the difficult events of our lives, but His response to Joseph shows otherwise, “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions be but a small moment.”
He is here. He is aware, and He is guiding us – even when we can’t see that.
Section 122 has one of my favorite verses to remember, verse 8. It is after the Lord singles out many possible scenarios of crisis and torment for Joseph Smith then says, “The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He?” In section 121, the appropriate ruling of priesthood authority is discussed, which includes kindness, long-suffering, gentleness, and meekness. It also discusses reproving with sharpness, which I feel the Lord in section 122 exemplifies perfectly. He is direct and to the point with Joseph Smith, but done so all in love, “Art thou greater than He?” I need to learn to better follow His example.
A separate thought from Sacrament Meeting today where a Sister Missionary spoke had me asking myself, “What is my next step?” She spoke of her life and the path she had followed but found herself not sure of what was next. She sough guidance from the Lord and asked Him, “What is my next step?”. It made me wonder what is my next step. I feel so much I have my path paved for a while by simply loving my children, tending to them and their needs, loving other significant people in my life in the best ways I can, serving the Lord, and doing my best. So, pretty much enduring and trying to do my best at becoming whatever it is I need to become for the Lord. I am an impatient person, I can foresee and anticipate many things ahead of me, but I need to remember that I need to grow into those things patiently and according to the Lord’s timing, not mine. Just because I can see them doesn’t mean I am ready for them right now. It is a process of becoming.
I am so grateful for Sundays, for the scriptures that offer so much guidance, for a wise and wonderful Heavenly Father, and for a Savior who patiently teaches me His ways.
Forever grateful!
