A Prayer of Faith

(I changed the title (and added a question at the end); I’d love to hear what Church history stories inspire you to want to be and do better!)

The Church has an awesome newish DVD out (actually it’s a collection of three DVDs– all for six buckaroos). Watching it has been one of our favorite Sunday activities. My children absolutely love these stories. I can’t get enough of them. They bring the Spirit in a special way, and give me some wonderful and sustained opportunities to talk about gospel principles with my children.

One of the most powerful selections is about the early days of the Church, when there was contention and rifts among members of the Council of the Twelve. This story teaches, in a sobering way, the importance of following the prophets – and about how one can be trapped by the chains of the adversary by not doing so.

The most striking part of the story is when Lyman Johnson (one who had publicly denounced the Prophet Joseph and never returned after apostatizing) was allowed to say a few last words to the Quorum of which he had once been a part. He said,

If I could believe Mormonism…as I did when I traveled with you and preached, if I possessed the world I would give it. I would give anything. I would suffer my right hand to be cut off, if I could believe it again. Then I was full of joy and gladness. My dreams were pleasant. When I awoke in the morning, my spirit was cheerful. I was happy by day and by night, full of peace and joy and thanksgiving. But now it is darkness, pain, sorrow, misery in the extreme. I have never since seen a happy moment” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 19, p. 41).

I find it almost frightening that he could see very plainly that the gospel had brought him light, joy and peace, and that apostatizing (as a result of his own pride and greed) had brought him “misery in the extreme” – and yet, he seemed unable to escape from that darkness.

The movie also shows a slight contrast in Thomas B. Marsh, who had apostatized but then returned after 18 years. Said he,

If there are any among this people who should ever apostatize and do as I have done, prepare your backs for a good whipping, if you are such as the Lord loves. But if you will take my advice, you will stand by the authorities; but if you go away and the Lord loves you as much as he did me, he will whip you back again. [Apparently, it had been a pretty rough 18 years!]

Many have said to me, “How is it that a man like you, who understood so much of the revelations… should fall away?” I have come to the conclusion that I must have lost the Spirit of the Lord out of my heart….I became jealous of the Prophet, and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil; and then, when the Devil began to lead me, it was easy for the carnal mind to rise up, which is anger, jealousy, and wrath….

I thank God that he has brought me back here, where I can receive such instructions, and with a prospect of seeing, notwithstanding my advanced age, the glory of God. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.5, p.207-208, Thomas B. Marsh, September 6th, 1857)

(Both quotes from above were shortened and/or adapted slightly in the movie.)

Every time I watch this short, 11-minute film, it causes me to rededicate myself to following the prophets. It’s also a sobering reminder than none of us is immune to the danger of apostasy. I am reminded of that permaquote on my wall from Elder Eyring, telling me that this is way I can find safety in this crazy world. Oh, how grateful I am for living prophets!

Do you have any favorite Church history stories that are inspirational to you?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 30th, 2006 at 6:00 am and is filed under Whisperings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.