My Persuasive Essay, Part II (Final Part)

            Joseph Smith had to have had divine right, help, and authority from God to do the miraculous and marvelous things he did.  The first big feat was the act of translating the Gold Plates, and then printing it.  As mentioned above, the plates were written in Ancient Egyptian, making them relatively impossible to translate.  Moreover, Joseph had so much as a third grade education.  Through the use of the sacred Urim and Thummim, and the revelation he received through the power of the Holy Ghost, The Gold Plates were translated, and the Book of Mormon was published.  Joseph’s wife, Emma, recounts upon these events: “”.  The second authority he had was the authority to hold the priesthood, and he did many miraculous things with it, things beyond the power of man, but the power of God.  He miraculously healed people from the most serious of injuries and illnesses, where they recovered immediately, and also performed baptisms, and called men to be his counselors and members of the quorum of the twelve.  He then set them apart with the power of the priesthood.  The power of the priesthood is our sole way of receiving direct messages from our Heavenly Father.  After my dad gives me a priesthood blessing, he doesn’t remember anything he said, because it’s not him speaking to me, it’s Heavenly Father. The third example is that Joseph was blessed with the strengths and skills he needed to be able to establish the church today. John Taylor, of the Quorum of The Twelve said:  “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.” Also, for people who study the bible, there’s another huge significant piece of evidence.

            I know it’s true is because it specifically talks about it in the bible in Ezekiel 37:16. It states: Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph (the Book of Mormon), the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions. This scripture alone should be evidence enough for everyone to see that Joseph was chosen before the world was by God, and that he did talk to him. For my three examples, I am going to squish them all together into one. There was a talk given in the last General Conference by Elder Tad R. Callister, and there is one part I would like to quote. It says: “why is the Book of Mormon so essential if we already have the Bible to teach us about Jesus Christ? Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian churches in the world today when they obtain their doctrines from essentially the same bible? It is because they interpret the bible differently. If they interpreted it the same, they would be the same church. This is not a condition the Lord desires, for the Apostle Paul declared that there is ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Ephesians 4:5). To help bring this oneness about, the Lord established a divine law of witnesses. Paul taught, ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established’ (2 Corinthians 13:1). The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is the second witness so crucial? How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point? How many lines could you draw between these two reference points representing the Book of Mormon and the Bible? Only one, so only one true interpretation.” I testify that the book of Mormon is true, and if you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was a real Prophet of the almighty God, and if you know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, you know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true, and is the only true church in the world today.

            So for the matter of whether or not I think that Joseph Smith saw God, and talked to him, and restored his church in the world, I don’t just believe it, I know it to be true. Joseph Smith suffered all manner of persecution for the sake of the word, and the truth. He performed many amazing works and ordinances given to him through the omnipotent power of the almighty God. He was the one chosen to restore the gospel to its fullness, and bring the Book of Mormon into the world. I know that this church is true. I know it with all of my heart, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Dingbat Out!  

My Persuasive essay part one:

Joseph Smith:
The Man Who Talked To God

“I feel like the apostle Paul.  Some said he was dishonest.  Others said he was mad.  And he was ridiculed and reviled, but he knew he had seen a vision, and all the persecution under Heaven could not make it otherwise.  So it had been with me.  I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me.  I had seen a vision.  I knew it, and I knew God knew it, and I could not deny it.”(Joseph Smith Jr.)  In regards to whether Joseph Smith, the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints saw the eternal God and his son, Jesus Christ in Sacred Grove or not, my standing belief and knowledge is that I know he did, because it was revealed to me by the Holy Ghost in the sacred town of Nauvoo, Illinois.  But how do I know that it’s real, that Joseph Smith wasn’t insane?  I know for many reasons, and there is plenty of evidence that denotes there was something special about Joseph Smith.  His greatest enemy’s hearts were softened towards him, claiming to the world that he was indeed a humble man in tune to the wishes of God.  The first reason I know that he saw God is that he was willing to withstand all manner of persecution willingly, and without malice, for so great was his faith in the Lord that he knew somehow he would be delivered, and he was.  He even suffered death humbly and willingly, that the work of the Lord might proceed.  Second, he had to have had divine right, help, and authority to do the miraculous and marvelous things he did. Some of these were translating the Book of Mormon (which was written on the Gold plates in Ancient Egyptian), curing the sick and wounded through the sacred power of the Priesthood, and receiving revelation that would lead and govern all the functions of the modern church today. The third and last main reason that I know that it’s true is because it specifically talks about it in the bible in Ezekiel 37:16.

            Joseph Smith was willing to withstand all manner of persecution willingly, and without malice, for so great was his faith in the Lord that he knew somehow he would be delivered, and he was.  Joseph Smith showed his devotion to God in many different ways.  One of them was that he was persecuted and mocked from the day that he saw God and his son, and he was but a boy of 14 when he had his vision.  In his short and difficult life, Joseph Smith was tarred and feathered at least ten times.  His enemies, driven by the lust and desires of the devil, wanted nothing more than to discontinue the work that Joseph Smith had been chosen to do.  One time, the angry mob broke into his house, woke him up, dragged him out in the street, and smeared boiling tar all over him, and then threw feathers on top.  Moreover, the mob had broken the door down, and their little baby, who had had Pneumonia, died later that night from the freezing wind blowing through the open cavity in the wall. Despite the agonizing pain he felt, and the sadness that lingered in his heart for the lost boy, the great man attended his church meetings early in the morning the very next day, undaunted by the abuse of his visitors the night before.  Secondly, he was thrown into Liberty Jail, which was a jail that was specifically designed to be impenetrable.  The worst criminals were sent there, and here Joseph Smith and his men were sent, having done nothing wrong.  These men were in the jail for 6 months, 6 horrible, horrible months.  They were fed poison food, and poison water, and had nothing but filthy straw to lie on.  They were taken from their families, and despite these many tribulations they faced, Joseph prayed and worried continuously for his family, and the families of the other suffering saints.  Many of the Prophet’s prayers went unanswered, causing him to make this one final plea: “Oh God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth up thy hiding place?”

“My son, peace be unto thy soul. Thine adversity and thine affliction shall be but a small moment, and if thou endure it well, God will exhort thee on high.”

Joseph learned that the reason he had been sent to Liberty Jail was to be perfected and learn patience through the adversities he faced. He came out of the jail better man, so much better.  Another example of the trials Joseph withstood was that of the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith.  As that great man hugged his wife, and kissed his children goodbye in that spring of 1844, he knew as did his other comrades that he would not be coming back.  He mounted his horse and rode to Carthage jail from Nauvoo, Illinois.  I have been to Carthage jail twice, and I have seen the door with the bullet hole in it that took Hyrum Smith, Joseph’s brother’s life, and in that small room, I received witness of the event.  My bosom burned, and I was weak.  I began to cry.  I knew, right then and there that Joseph Smith truly was a man of God, and he died for his God, his father in Heaven.  Joseph Smith had a special relationship and communication pathway with God as the Prophet of the church.  Through, the Lord, he was able to do all things; things he never ever would have been able to do without him.

To Be Continued,

Dingbat out!  

The Strength of the LDS Youth

Where do the youth of the church get their strength from?  Where do they receive the courage and will to push through all the crud of the world, and repel the fiery darts of Satan?  How do they do it? Where does this extreme amount of spiritual strength, commitment, and courage come from?  For young women, it comes through the personal progress program.  The personal progress program is a part of the young women's program, in fact, it is the structure.  The personal progress program strengthens us and our testimonies by providing hundreds of experiences that bring us closer to Heavenly Father.  The Personal Progress Program consists of 8 values.  They are faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue.  For each value experience there is a project that needs ten hours at the VERY LEAST!  The Personal Progress Program takes at least 180 hours to complete if you do it fast.  It usually takes at least 300-600 hours. The Personal Progress program is the equivalent of an Eagle Scout project for a young man.  These activities increase our relationship with God, and this increases our strength in the Gospel so much. Through our strength, we can be strong enough to resist all temptation.  For example, sex before marriage, drugs, smoking, drinking, etc.  These things are an abomination in my sight. 

Another thing that helps us be strong is a pamphlet released by the church titled For The Strength Of Youth. This book lists many of our values and lists why it is important to stay strong and steadfast to these principals. We are instructed to carry it with us at all times.

That's What I'm Talkin' 'bout!!! 

Then there's stuff for the strength of young men, like duty to God. I don't know very much at all about the Young Men Program, so I'll just put some pictures in:

DINGBAT OUT!!!!

More Independent writing for World Literature....

Henry worried about his mother, a sweet woman with short sandy hair streaked with grey, and a plump face with big blue eyes, darker than his own.  She had tried to stop the men from taking her boys, crying and screaming, fearing she’d never see them again.  He remembered her face, full of terror.  He shuddered, shaking it away, tears once again welling in his eyes. He focused on the soft repetitive motion of Gerald’s fingers running through his hair, which made him relax slightly.  Now his mind started wandering to Katy, sweet little Katy.  She was his 6 year old sister.  He had been her personal protector since the day she was born.  The thing that burdened his mind most was who would protect her now?  He was her protector!  He let her dow….   Henry’s thoughts were interrupted by Gerald’s soft voice.  “I’m concerned about these wounds getting infected,” Gerald said.  “Maybe I can try and treat them.”  Henry scoffed.  “I really don’t see how you could chap,” he said in a rather amused tone.  “I mean considering the crucial fact that it’s as dark as a cave in here, and you’ve nothing to treat me with.”  “Oh there you go again!” Gerald spat.  “You’re always the Pessimist!  You know if they’re not treated they’ll get infected, and I am not going to sit here like a miserable oaf and watch you die!”  Gerald’s voice was alarmingly loud, scaring Henry a bit.  He had never meant to hurt Gerald; he was merely trying to state an obvious fact.  He realized that all Gerald wanted was to feel helpful to his brother, and at the moment, Henry was denying him that privilege.  His brother had to be the most loyal and honorable man he’d ever known.  He willingly let go of his obstinate attitude.  “Alright Gerald, I’m sorry, do whatever you see fit.”

Independent Writing for World Literature

“How much more of this must we endure Gerald?” Henry said in a high-pitched whimper; tears were streaming down his unshaved cheeks and swollen neck.  His naked torso was shredded and covered in blood from the most recent lashing. Gerald exhaled icily, fighting back a scream, his nose filled with the smell of his brother’s blood and the stench of death.  He was surrounded with the wailing of Men, women and children in pain and anguish, separated from their families.  He exhaled again.  “A few more days of this hell and we’ll both be dead,” he said in a submissive shaky voice, indicating the realization of defeat and succumbing to despair.  Gerald couldn’t take it much longer; sometimes he wished death would come and take him.  He arose and staggered in no distinct direction in the complete darkness of the filthy stall, finally finding his brother on the other side, grabbed him by the arms tenderly, careful not to hurt his wounds, pulling him gently towards his clothed chest.  Henry’s tension immediately eased and his muscles became weak as he willingly fell in his beloved brother’s arms.  Henry loved his brother Gerald dearly.  Gerald always knew how to succor people; especially Henry.  He had the rare ability to be unconditionally kind and loving, like a mother with a sick child, or a loyal dog with a small child.  Gerald started ruffling his hair and he relaxed even more; mind retracing to the past.

Independent Writing for World Literature

Blog for August 24, 2011

“How much more of this must we endure Gerald?”  Henry muttered in a high pitched whimper, tears streaming down his face.  His naked torso was covered in blood from a lashing he had received just moments before.  His nose was filled with the smell of filth, blood, and death.  That was the third lashing session that day, and it was only 1:00 p.m.  “A few more days of this madness and we’ll both be dead,” said Gerald, grabbing Henry tenderly about the arms as if to not hurt his wounds and pulling him towards his clothed chest.  Henry’s tension eased, and his muscles became weak as he willingly fell in his brother’s arms.  Since their imprisonment, Gerald had often showed a concern and love for him that Henry believed a mother could only possess, lying like a sick helpless crying baby in the arms of his mother, and he was content.  “Now don’t move, I’m going to check your wounds,” said Gerald.  “How can you?” said Henry in a rather relaxed, disinterested voice.  “It’s as dark as a cave in here.  I can’t even see my boots.  Just forget about it chap.”  “Well, if I don’t do something for them, they’ll get infected,” said Gerald.