Week One-Student Choice #3

Sarah Rawls

9-19-11

FDREL 324

Dan Gardner

Student Choice #3

Based on section 3, what five significant lessons was the Lord willing and desirous to teach Joseph Smith as a result of losing the 116 pages? How relevant are each of these lessons for you?

For this week in my Doctrine and Covenants class, we were asked to read and study sections 2-5, and section 10. In these passages, we were introduced to the incident where Joseph Smith lost the 116 pages of his first translation of the Golden Plates. For this week’s assignment, I choose to study section 3 a little bit further and pick out some lessons that God taught Joseph Smith that have significant relevance to me.

Lesson #1:

In verse 3 of section 3, God admonishes Joseph Smith to remember that it is not God’s work that gets thwarted by men, but men’s work. Even though Joseph lost 116 pages of sacred record, God had a back-up plan set in place long ago when he asked Nephi to record the events surrounding his father and their journey from Jerusalem on another set of plates (called the plates of Nephi).

In chapter 9 of 1 Nephi, verse 2, Nephi describes that God has commended him to make a second set of plates that were meant to contain a full account of the people. Essentially, they were meant for the happenings of a spiritual nature. His other set was meant for a detailed history-kings, wars, and contentions of the people. In verse 5, Nephi says this; “Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded that I make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.”

I personally believe that God knew about the decisions of Joseph Smith and Martin Harris and had Nephi prepare for that event. God is all wise and omnipotent and his great wisdom saved the future of our church from disaster.

Relevance #1:

I feel that this lesson is relevant to me because many times, I have made the wrong choices and suffered the consequences of those choices. Many times, I have asked myself if the God’s great plan for me has been destroyed by the wrongful choices that I made. This scripture testifies that God’s plan cannot be undone-no matter what mistakes I make. The only plan that I destroy my own; for God will replace me if I deem to unrighteous to carry out His work. I would only ruin my own destiny; God’s work will continue to roll forward. This is something very important to remember and I find that knowledge to be inspiring. I am inspired to be a better person; in order that I might carry out God’s will for me.

Lesson #2:

Verse 4 addresses that even though a man be holy and a servant of the Lord, if “he boasts in his own strength” and follows not God’s counsel, he will fall and bring upon him God’s judgment. This must have been terribly humbling for Joseph Smith to hear. I think that this is exactly what Joseph needed to hear; he had been caught up in pride and let his desires rule his decisions. This led to the terrible loss of God’s word in the 116 pages. This is God’s simple reminder that even the most ordained of God can fall if they forget to rely on him.

Relevance #2:

This very simply applies to me. I must remember that no matter what station I attain in this life-whether it be in my career, family, or in the church- that God is the one looking out for me. Without my Creator, I would naught but the dust of the Earth. I must rely on him in all things-whether they be spiritual, temporal, or physical. He will never lead me astray. The wisdom of men is naught in comparison with the wisdom of God. It is through him that greatness is brought to pass.

Lesson#3:

In verses 7-8, God reminds Joseph that the he should not have feared men more than God; that faithfulness is required in order to be worthy of God’s assistance. If Joseph had not worried so much about offending his friend Martin Harris, he still might have had the 116 pages in his possession.

Relevance #3:

This lesson is so relevant in the society we dwell in today. With Satan coming at us from every angle, I cannot afford to lose the presence of my God. I need him to be with me through every fiery dart and every trouble. Joseph Smith caved to peer pressure and by so doing lost something very precious to him and to God. Today, the price may not be a manuscript, but it might be one’s health, virtue, or integrity. It might the trust of loved ones that get lost or the value of a beloved friendship. It could very well be one’s life. How many times out in the world am I faced with peer pressure? How many times are our youth faced with it? Everyday! With the media and those around me constantly trying to sway me into the ways of world. I must take this verse to heart and steer from the ‘great and spacious buildings’ that surround me.

Lesson #4:

The fourth lesson Joseph received was that God is a merciful God and that through repentance Joseph would be able to recompense his sin and come back into the fullness of God’s presence.

Relevance #4:

This lesson is something that I try to remember each and everyday. The Atonement is the saving grace that allows us to continue on this mortal journey to perfection. Without the sacrifice of our beloved Savior, no one would be able to live with God again because “no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God”. That is the miraculous beauty of God’s plan! All have the opportunity to wipe clean the sins of this world and demonstrate unto God a sincere change in heart. God maintains mercy on all his children and will provide all with the opportunity to return unto Him should they repent and make the right decisions. This knowledge comforts my heart and gives me resting peace.

Lesson #5:

I felt that lesson #5 was found in verse 16. In this verse, God is testifying that his work will continue forward regardless of what men shall do. He makes a point to tell Joseph that the work will precede so long as the testimonies of the Savior exist; He also testifies of the conversion of the Jews and the conversion of the Native Americans, the descendants of the Nephites and Lamanites.

Relevance #5:

I almost felt like this lesson was a call to serve! I feel that so long as someone has a testimony of Christ our Lord and the truthfulness of the Gospel, that the work of God will continue to go forth among the children of men. I also know that the Jews and the Native Americans will one day know of the goodness of Christ and that He is their Savior. I will do my best, as a disciple of Christ, to proclaim the truthfulness of this Church and His name to the nations.

I testify that the contents of this post are true and that our Savior loves each and every one of us. I know that even if we stumble, as Joseph Smith did, that God will welcome us back into his loving arms as long as we prove ourselves humble and repentant. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet who was called of God to restore the true and everlasting Gospel to the Earth. I know that without a Savior to atone for us, that we would be lost from our Father forever. I know that missionary work is the key to the success of the Church and I challenge everyone to proclaim God’s name through your words, actions, and deeds. May we all take these lessons and find personal relevance for them that we may better our lives and our families. And I close this post in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.