No Enemies

In the spring of 1820 a young boy had a question that had been troubling him. What church should he join? After reflection and scripture study he made a plan to go into the woods and pray. When he did so, after darkness threatened to overtake him, a pillar of light appeared, and he spoke to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ face to face. In the vision, he was told that he should not join any of the churches. 

After the vision, he went to tell a leader from one of the churches what had happened, and there persecution against him began. He was just a boy, and miracles and visions like that only happened in times of old. Joseph began to keep what happened to himself, but word got out quickly. Despite the persecution, Joseph never retracted his statement on what he had seen. He said, "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 (JSH 1:25)."

After a few years he was visited again, this time by an angel. The angel told him "God had a work for [him] to do; and that [his] name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people (JSH 1:33)." To this day, his name is had for good and evil throughout the world. But, in the words of the poet, Charles Mackay:

You have no enemies, you say?
Alas! My friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure, 
Must have made foes! If you have none, 
Small is the work that you have done.
You've hit no traitor on the hip, 
You've dashed no cup from perjured lip,
You've never turned the wrong to right, 

You've been a coward in the fight. 

As we each gain a testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and the gospel of Christ, we must hold fast to the ground we have won, especially when it is challenged. We may make enemies, but this fight...our fight... the Lord's fight is worth fighting for. 

The Lemonade Year

2020 was truly a lemonade year. We were faced with crazy trials, a pandemic, stay-at-home orders, protests, a toilet paper shortage...Need I say more? But, with all of that we were also given opportunities to make those lemons into lemonade.  

I truly believe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is led by an inspired prophet and other inspired leaders. Last year, one of the most difficult and unprecedented years, we were told to study the Book of Mormon. With commotion going on all around me, I found peace and joy each time I sat down to read it. I found ways to connect to the stories, I learned from its teachings, and I felt closer to Christ and my Heavenly Father as I took the time to open it, read it, and study it. 

As I looked and found how I could apply the Book of Mormon's teachings in my life, I realized how much influence it has had on me. 

I have a testimony of the importance of family history. After Nephi and his family were told to flee from Jerusalem, they were told to return to retrieve the brass plates which held their family history. They would not have been sent back if it weren't important. Then, as Mormon was abridging the Book of Mormon, he included the lineage of his people. He told us he could not include even 100th part of the writings. He wouldn't include that lineage if family history wasn't valuable for us. It is important to learn about where we come from so we can learn who we are. As I learn of my ancestors who have come before, I can feel their presence in my life helping to guide me to the path I need to be on. 

I have a testimony of family. The Book of Mormon begins with a story of a family much like any other. They fight, they argue, they love each other, they work together. It ends with a man pleading to future generations to listen to the teachings. He is filled with sorrow knowing his family is gone because of the wickedness of the people around him. I know how important family is. I have two degrees in it! But also, I am lucky enough to be a part of an amazing, loving one. 

I have a testimony of the power of prayer. So many times in the Book of Mormon, prophets pray. But, it is also amazing to read about Christ praying as well when he visits the Nephites. Although I am the worst at being patient and waiting on the Lord, I know He hears my prayers. I just need to be better at hearing Him. 

I have a testimony of justice and mercy. There are so many lessons in the Book of Mormon on this topic! I am ever so thankful for a Savior who came to satisfy justice. I am thankful that He is willing to show mercy to me even though I am so imperfect. I have so much to learn. Going along with that, I understand the need for the Savior and the Atonement. I have said it before, and I will say it again. There would be no point to living without Christ and his sacrifice. 

I have a testimony of the need to journal. What is the Book of Mormon if it isn't a journal of the people kept by chosen leaders? In the past year or so I have switched from journaling mostly about what is going on in my life to spiritual experiences I have had and what I have learned from them. What a change! I hope it will help not only me as I go through more trials which may or may not make me feel distanced from Him, but I also hope it will help my posterity understand who I am and what made me become whoever I become in life. I also know the importance of remembering. It is important to remember the good things, the bad things, and absolutely everything in between. When I look back on past experiences I tend to remember most things with fondness. I know it wasn't all sunshine and roses. I lived it! But, I lived through it, and I am thankful I can remember those experiences and how they shaped me. I also love that the Book of Mormon teaches us that how we react to trials also defines us. Just one of many, many examples is the difference in how Laman and Lemuel reacted in the wilderness to how Nephi reacted. May we all come to be like Nephi. 

I have a testimony of prophets (ancient and modern), of angels both seen and unseen, and of miracles in the past, present, and future. Our Heavenly Father is unchanging, so all of those things we are taught of anciently must surely be present today and in years to come. I am thankful for that. Without a loving prophet to lead and guide us, without the first prophet of the church, Joseph Smith, to restore the fulness of the gospel, and without miracles large and small my life would be so different. 

I have a testimony of gratitude. This Thanksgiving, President Nelson asked us to do a week of thankfulness and gratitude and post about one thing we were grateful for each day. The outpouring of people obeying his word brought such a positive light to social media and in my life that I can hardly describe. After so much negativity, it was so refreshing to read all of the things people were grateful for. I hope we can all remember how it felt during that week of gratitude and continue on with it as our world grows more and more negative.

I have a testimony of love and joy. I know what I must do to have those things in my life. I know the blessings that come from sharing them. I know the impact of each. Most importantly, I know my Savior more fully because of them. 

Most importantly, I have a testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am beyond grateful for Him. I know He was born in a stable in Bethlehem. I know that He devoted His life to building the church and teaching the word of God. I know that He died on a cross for me and for all of us so that we may live again. I know He was resurrected. I know He lives. I know He loves me. I know Him. I know Him because of the Spirit that bears witness to me when I read the Book of Mormon. I know Him because of the warm embrace when I live His standards and obey His commandments. I know Him because I can feel His loving embrace when I feel defeated. I know Him because of the hand He extends to me when I fall short, so, so short. 

As we go into 2021 with refreshed hope, I pray that we can all come to know Him more and continue making our lemonade as we read in the Doctrine and Covenants and continue to endure. 

"The Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever." -Doctrine and Covenants 1:39