Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith
Prophet, Seer and Revelator

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Brigham Young grew up in a strict Methodist home without fun and entertainment. As he got older, he decided that he wanted things to be different for his children. He wanted dancing, music, and the theater to be part of their lives. He made a conscious effort to create an enriching environment for his family.

Brigham Young watched some contention among the Apostles in the early days of the Church. When he became the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, he decided he would treat those around him with love and kindness.

The first meeting the Church held after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham records that he felt overwhelming compassion for the Saints. He wanted to be their protector and nurture them. Love and charity became part of his leadership, and the Saints loved him for it.

Brigham decided how he wanted things to be in his life and set about to create that dynamic. Would that we could all be that way.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Temple Work for a Nephite

Wilford Woodruff loved temples and temple work. When he and a group of brethren left Kirtland, Ohio, and began the treck to Missouri with Joseph Smith, they found a burial mound. Joseph Smith said it belonged to the Nephites and asked them to dig into the mound. They found the skeleton of a man with an arrow sticking in his backbone. The Prophet Joseph said the man's name was Zelph and he fought for the Nephites at the time of the great slaughter. Wilford brought Zelph's thigh bone to Missouri. He wanted to bury it in the Temple Block in Jackson County, but because of the persecution, wasn't able to, so he buried it in Clay County. At least Wilford got Zelph closer to the temple.