Mormon Martyrs

Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum Smith, sealed their testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with their blood. They were shot on June 27, 1844. In a tribute to Joseph Smith, Elder John Taylor, a witness to the events, 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. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!" (Doctrine and Covenants 135:3). Joseph Smith was a great man. He accomplished a lot while he lived. He suffered a lot and in the end was a martyr. But I think he also understood that the gospel is one of glad tidings and in this life we can have joy.

I find in our Sunday lessons and in discussions as an extended family that we like to focus on how we are suffering and all the trials we have. As though having more hard times make us more righteous. As though being a Mormon martyr is desirable. As though the person with the worst life wins. For a long time, I wished that we would stop talking about how life is so hard and talk about how life is full of joy. One of my favorite scriptures is "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). Maybe I felt that way because I wasn't the winner. I didn't have the hardest life. But in the last couple of years, we've had some challenging times. I can see now that we talk about our trials because we are grateful for the Atonement and the strength we receive from our Savior. Also, I think we still want to believe that if we're doing all we should, we won't have challenging times. It's as though we have to be convinced and convince ourselves that having a hard time doesn't mean the Lord doesn't love us or that we've done something wrong. It's in those hard times as we turn to the Savior that we learn and grow and appreciate the Atonement more. Lehi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, taught that there has to be opposition in all things. That we have to experience misery to know happiness.

I do need to acknowledge and appreciate the joys of this life more. I have a wonderful family, immediate and extended. We enjoy being together. We have differences but every one is successful and working hard to be happy. I have loving parents and in-laws. I have a daughter and son-in-law who've graduated from college. They're expecting a baby soon. I'm going to be a Grandma! I have friends. I love to run and exercise. I'm uplifted by my friends and family. I'm part of a writing group that meets monthly. I enjoy reading their writing and discussing books we've read. I have a daughter on a mission who is happy and doing well. I get to serve in my church and meet new women who move into our area. Each is unique. I get to teach my children in my home. I get to attend basketball games, piano recitals, choir concerts. I get to sing in my church choir. I go on weekly dates with my husband. He is a good listener. I love to read the scriptures and study the talks from our current church authorities. I love to pray. I know the Lord hears and answers my prayers. And there's so much more. Mountains, snow, sun, fruit, salad, ice cream, the beach in Mexico. Those are a few of my favorite things. I win!