Joseph
Smith’s prayer and first vision in 1820 were no small things, even
though they began as "one small step for a [young] man." Over the years
they have proven to be "one giant leap for mankind"; for that act of
supreme faith ended a long night of spiritual darkness, opened up a
flood of unadulterated truths, and ushered in the dispensation of the
fulness of times.
We are told that the spin-off effects of the
moon mission were many. Such benefits are reflected in all the materials
about us. However, the consequences of Joseph Smith’s first vocal
prayer and his probe into the unknown are infinitely greater and should
be pondered seriously by all who are interested in "things as they
really are, and of things as they really will be."
Joseph did
not emerge from the grove with lunar rocks in his pocket or with moon
dust on his shoes. He emerged with a changed countenance and with a gold
mine of truth lodged in his mind and heart:
1. Joseph learned that there are no winners in wars of words or tumults
of opinion regarding religious matters. (See JS—H 1:12.) Such
contention plays into the hands of Satan because he is the "father of
contention." (3 Ne. 11:29.)
2. Joseph learned of "the power of some
actual being from the unseen world" which bound his tongue and enveloped
him in thick darkness as he began to pray. (See JS—H 1:16.) This power
was exerted by the evil one, who viewed Joseph Smith as a threat to his
realm of sin and error.
3. Joseph learned what Moses had learned
years before about Satan’s darkness and nothingness, as compared with
the light and liberty associated with God. (See Moses 1:10–15.) Said
Joseph:
4. Joseph learned that he was made in the image of God, exactly as the scriptures attest. In his own words:
5. Joseph learned that none of the churches of the day were right and that he should not join any of them. He recounts:
6. Joseph learned why he must not align himself with an existing church. His words are:
7. Joseph learned that "the testimony of James [was] true—that a man
who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided."
(JS—H 1:26.)
8. Soon thereafter, Joseph learned "that God had a work
for [him] to do" and that his name should be made known among all
nations, kindreds, and tongues. (See JS—H 1:33.)
Joseph
Smith’s prayer and first vision in 1820 were no small things, even
though they began as "one small step for a [young] man." Over the years
they have proven to be "one giant leap for mankind"; for that act of
supreme faith ended a long night of spiritual darkness, opened up a
flood of unadulterated truths, and ushered in the dispensation of the
fulness of times.
We are told that the spin-off effects of the
moon mission were many. Such benefits are reflected in all the materials
about us. However, the consequences of Joseph Smith’s first vocal
prayer and his probe into the unknown are infinitely greater and should
be pondered seriously by all who are interested in "things as they
really are, and of things as they really will be."
Joseph did
not emerge from the grove with lunar rocks in his pocket or with moon
dust on his shoes. He emerged with a changed countenance and with a gold
mine of truth lodged in his mind and heart:
1. Joseph learned that there are no winners in wars of words or tumults
of opinion regarding religious matters. (See JS—H 1:12.) Such
contention plays into the hands of Satan because he is the "father of
contention." (3 Ne. 11:29.)
2. Joseph learned of "the power of some
actual being from the unseen world" which bound his tongue and enveloped
him in thick darkness as he began to pray. (See JS—H 1:16.) This power
was exerted by the evil one, who viewed Joseph Smith as a threat to his
realm of sin and error.
3. Joseph learned what Moses had learned
years before about Satan’s darkness and nothingness, as compared with
the light and liberty associated with God. (See Moses 1:10–15.) Said
Joseph:
4. Joseph learned that he was made in the image of God, exactly as the scriptures attest. In his own words:
5. Joseph learned that none of the churches of the day were right and that he should not join any of them. He recounts:
6. Joseph learned why he must not align himself with an existing church. His words are:
7. Joseph learned that "the testimony of James [was] true—that a man
who lacked wisdom might ask of God, and obtain, and not be upbraided."
(JS—H 1:26.)
8. Soon thereafter, Joseph learned "that God had a work
for [him] to do" and that his name should be made known among all
nations, kindreds, and tongues. (See JS—H 1:33.)
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