But what if?
What if there really is something to the Joseph Smith story? What if he really did see God and Jesus Christ as a 14 year old? And what if he continued in constant, direct contact with Diety for the rest of his life, until his untimely murder at age 39? What if?
An objective student of our history will discover that the Joseph Smith was a man of unusual insight, brilliance, compassion and interest in human nature. He communed with God in a realm and sphere unknown to common man. Among the revelatory things he wrote:
"The glory of God is intelligence."
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."
"There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter."
"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
As a young man, I had the privilege of attending Stanford University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. On the Stanford campus there is a beautiful non-denominational chapel called Memorial Church. Great thought went into the exterior and interior design of this chapel.
Carved into Memorial Church's interior sandstone walls are a collection of instructive and inspirational sayings assembled by Jane Stanford over the years. Gathered by Mrs. Stanford from many sources, the sayings represented her religious faith and convictions and, in the flowery language characteristic of the Victorian literary style, the carved inscriptions were intended to decorate the church and inspire its visitors. Intricately carved stone frames enclose each of the twenty-eight inscriptions, and four of the six memorial tablets are lettered in gold. Here are some of the inscriptions:
There is no narrowing so deadly as the narrowing of man's horizon of spiritual things. No worse evil could befall him in his course on earth than to lose sight of Heaven. And it is not civilization that can prevent this; it is not civilization that can compensate for it. No widening of science, no possession of abstract truth, can indemnify for an enfeebled hold on the highest and central truths of humanity. "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
[Mark 8:37, Matthew 16:26]
A noble ambition is among the most helpful influences of student life, and the higher this ambition is, the better. No man can work well unless he can speak as the Great Master did of the joy set before Him.
And this leads to the greatest of all safeguards, and the most encouraging of all stimulating influences to a noble life, - that is, the power of personal religion. We need something outside of and beyond ourselves. "Remember, you are not your own, - you are bought with a the precious blood of Jesus."
[Cf. I PETER 1:18-19]
The world is new to every soul when Christ has entered into it.
We can never perish if we remain in the arms of our Father Almighty.
True life is the principles of Christ lived. There is no other life that is true. To condense it still more, the true life is the Christ life lived.
God knows what His Children want before they ask, but it proves their faith in Him to pray for what they want.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
When something rings true, it usually is. Whether from the inspiration of Joseph Smith or the inscriptions on the walls of this beautiful church - truth is truth. I am uplifted and desire to do my best and be my best. To see all of the inscriptions -- and there are many and they are wonderful -- go to: http://www.stanford.edu/group/religiouslife/memchuInscriptions.html
Posts
3 comments: