Authentic Joseph Smith (No. 21)
Part of the Joseph Smith, Jr. Series
All blue quotes by Joseph Smith (unless otherwise noted).
Diary of Wilford Woodruff, April 16, 1843
World of Turmoil
Joseph’s words are a great comfort. Don’t be afraid of all the possible outcomes.
“[I wish] all of the saints to be comforted with the victory they [are] to gain by the resurrection. It is sufficient to encourage the saint to overcome in the midst of every trial, trouble & tribulation. Though thunders roar & earthquakes bellow, lightnings flash & wars are upon every hand yet suffer not a joint to tremble nor let not your heart faint for the great Elohim will deliver you.
What if tragedy does happen?
And if not before the resurrection, will set you eternally free from all these things from pain sorrow & death. I have labored hard & sought every way to try to prepare this people to comprehend the things that God is unfolding to me. In speaking of the resurrection I would say that God hath shown unto me a vision of the resurrection of the dead & I saw the graves open & the saints as they arose took each other by the hand even before they got up or while getting up & great Joy & glory rested upon them.”
The message I appreciate is the end is guaranteed to be glorious no matter what happens before that. What a beautiful reminder; it helps me refocus and feel confident.
Author’s Notes
The Joseph Smith Series comes from, in part, a book called “The Words of Joseph Smith.”
Note: usually, the book costs a small fortune ($150-$250) because it is out of print. But I found it for free at the BYU Religious Studies Center. (Thank you, BYU)
(P.S. I receive no compensation for any recommendations)