Lifting Someone from Despair - Raising Sights to Greater Things

When Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail, he was obviously not very happy. His prayer pleading for help from God for his people was very dramatic. God answered by saying a few things:

1) I hear you

2) Things aren't as bad as they could be; stick with it and all will end well

3) Your prayer will be answered, but not yet

4) This is a great time in the history of the world; great things will happen

5) The priesthood, which will play a role in these great things, must be used by good people based upon certain principles

Notice # 4. In part God was helping Joseph now by lifting his sight beyond his immediate surroundings. Joseph was wrongfully thrown in a jail with very poor conditions while his family and people were being moved out of the state and many died. One of the things God helped Joseph with was to understand how great the church and its people would become. It appears that we can put up with a lot if the results are going to be very worthwhile. God was trying to help Joseph focus on the results. Here's one powerful verse explaining what God would do with the church members:

33How long can rolling waters remain impure? What ^apower shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to ^bhinder the ^cAlmighty from pouring down^dknowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.

A great leader is one who can help his followers see greatness in the seemingly mundane things in life. Some might say that raising a family is boring or not living up to its potential, but an active Mom who is guiding her kids is easily the most positively influential person those kids will ever be in contact with. If a church leader can help kids see that making good choices now helps lay a great foundation for life, they're doing a good job. God did that with Joseph here. He gave a glimpse of great things that would happen in the future for Joseph's people. God gave hope, a reason for persevering.

Have a great day.

Praying like a Prophet

D.C. 121 has a unique prayer in many ways because of the extremely difficult situation the Prophet found himself and his people in when giving it. His people had been driven out of Missouri unfairly, and he'd be unfairly thrown into a terrible jail. However, it's interesting to hear Joseph plead with God. He prays with many kind descriptions of God, showing his faith, but also asking God to intervene in their behalf in a way that questions why God hasn't already intervened.

I think the absolute confidence Joseph shows in God teaches us a lot about prayer. In addition, his model of asking for specific things is also very enlightening. Here's the verses:

1O God, ^awhere art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy ^bhiding place?

2^aHow long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?

3Yea, O Lord, ^ahow long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful ^boppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with ^ccompassion toward them?

4O Lord God ^aAlmighty, maker of ^bheaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol—stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy ^cpavilion be taken up; let thy ^dhiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine ^eheart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.

5Let thine ^aanger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy ^bsword ^cavenge us of our wrongs.

6Remember thy ^asuffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever.