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| Liberty Jail |
"God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children."
Lately, I have been pondering about an experience I had about a year ago. A group of people from my congregation had come together and planned a trip to go to several different church history sites in the United States. We went to Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. It was truly a very moving experience for me. The picture on this post is of Liberty Jail. It is where Joseph Smith was wrongfully imprisoned for about five months and the conditions were terrible. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was in the visitor center. I actually got to touch the actual door of the jail. The door that Joseph Smith touched and walked through. It was a very powerful experience for me as I reflected and pondered on what happened in that place. Joseph Smith received revelations while he was there. President Henry B. Eyring explains, "In the depths of his anguish in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith cried out, 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding places?'" Have you ever felt like God is hiding from you? You are in the deepest moments of your life wondering, " How will I ever get through this? Is God really there? Does He know me? Why is this happening to me?" I can't speak for the prophet Joseph Smith, but I'm guessing that he felt something very similar. While Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail he received some very powerful revelations. These revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants have helped me "endure to the end" of really hard trials. In section 121 the Lord comforts Joseph, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121:7-8)
Lately, I have been pondering about an experience I had about a year ago. A group of people from my congregation had come together and planned a trip to go to several different church history sites in the United States. We went to Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. It was truly a very moving experience for me. The picture on this post is of Liberty Jail. It is where Joseph Smith was wrongfully imprisoned for about five months and the conditions were terrible. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was in the visitor center. I actually got to touch the actual door of the jail. The door that Joseph Smith touched and walked through. It was a very powerful experience for me as I reflected and pondered on what happened in that place. Joseph Smith received revelations while he was there. President Henry B. Eyring explains, "In the depths of his anguish in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith cried out, 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding places?'" Have you ever felt like God is hiding from you? You are in the deepest moments of your life wondering, " How will I ever get through this? Is God really there? Does He know me? Why is this happening to me?" I can't speak for the prophet Joseph Smith, but I'm guessing that he felt something very similar. While Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail he received some very powerful revelations. These revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants have helped me "endure to the end" of really hard trials. In section 121 the Lord comforts Joseph, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121:7-8)
I have felt similar to Joseph's plea " Where art thou?" in several different parts of my life. One in particular was when my mother passed away. I didn't understand. I couldn't comprehend that this could happen to me. How could He abandon me? Didn't He understand that she was my mother? That I needed her? Couldn't He see that we were good members of His church? Couldn't He see that we tried to do everything right because we loved him? I have pondered on this more than I can describe. But an answer always comes. He does know who I am. I am his daughter and He does loves me. President Erying continues, "Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden..God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children." ("Where is the Pavilion? Ensign Nov. 2012) God is not far from us! He is there willing and wanting to help us! The Lord has said, "even so am I am in the midst of you." (D&C 6:32) He is there! I know that if we are willing to get on our knees and open our heart unto God. He will hear us! He will strengthen you and help you! When you cry out " O God, where art thou?" He knows where you are. He knows what we're doing and how He can help us. We just have to ask. Then we have to act in faith and follow Him. I know these things are true. If you are struggling, please, turn to your Father in Heaven. President Gordon B. Hinckley said,"Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives. Our strength lies in our righteousness. God has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, He will not forsake us." ( Ensign Nov. 2001)
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