#32 To Seal the Testimony

D&C 135; Our Heritage pgs. 62-66

*Sing 1st verse of Hymn 29
Who is this Poor Wayfaring Man referring to? Christ This song talks about Christ and some of the things He suffered. This was written in 1st person, the person who was telling of his experience of coming upon Christ during His most trying moments, and what He would’ve done to help Him had he been there.
This song as you know was sung at least 2 times right before the martyrdom at Joseph Smith’s request. As I read through these verses, I saw the parallels of Jesus Christ’s persecution and death and Joseph’s. As I read through these verses the 6th verse became very vivid to me as I pictured Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor and Willard Richards in that room in Carthage. I pictured Joseph standing there picturing his family and knowing what was about to take place, waiting to die, and yet willing to do so. These verses were very powerful to me. I can picture this as a song that brought great courage to the prophet as these verses described how his heart was willing to do anything, and did do many things, for the Savior including die with a willing heart. Especially in verse 6 as it speaks of how He, Joseph, lived his life and suffered persecution and death for Christ’s sake and was about to do so with a willing heart.
*Sing 6th verse of Hymn 29
*Play the clip of the martyrdom from Church History DVD
As I think about these events and the tribute that John Taylor wrote to Joseph and Hyrum, in section 135, I feel 2 things, sorrow as I think of that tragedy and joy as I think of how Joseph and Hyrum did conquer their trials and their enemies and all those worldly things that were working against them, and how now they have more glory given to them because of their enduring faithfulness.

I know you guys are shocked, but I have, on occasion, felt sorry for myself in my struggles, but as I think of Joseph and Hyrum’s life and willingness to die, I think of how strong they were; I wonder if I will am strong enough to endure what the Savior has asked me to live my life for?
These thoughts made me reflect on my heart, for it is the strength of their hearts, or the conviction in their hearts that got them to the point of being able to suffer everything that was heaped upon them.

Let’s talk about our hearts for a moment, where is yours? Do you have one? Can you feel it? Put your hand up on top of your heart. Can you feel it beating? If not, ask your neighbor to get you to the hospital quick, cause I really don’t want anyone being caught dead in my class. J/K-be serious now. Feel your heart, think about what it does to keep you alive physically, it is unfathomable all things your heart does for your body. For us today, however I want you to think of what your heart does for you spiritually. Let’s talk about that for just a minute. What does your heart do for you spiritually? What part does your heart play for you? How do the spiritual prompting get in there? How can you feel? It has to be open, and how can we open it? Ask it to be open to the promptings, humble yourself to get it there, it needs you to physically concentrate on it and picture it opening (not with all the blood and stuff in there but with all the light of Christ that is stored in there). It has to be softened and humble, how do we humble it? We need to tell ourselves out loud or in our minds that we love the Lord and that we are willing to suffer any and all heartache to trust Him, to know that whatever He wants to make of your life you are willing to do. Is your heart open yet? Is your mind letting your heart open?
Now here is the part I fasted for today. I want you to let that open heart of yours feel the love of the Lord for you right now! He loves you. He loves all the efforts you have put forth up to this point, He doesn’t judge any of us as bad, He loves you and wants your heart to burn with that love. Can you feel the love pouring in right now? I prayed and fasted that you would. If you aren’t feeling it is only because you are judging yourself as unworthy to receive His love, let your heart open, He wants you to feel it, needs you to feel it, in fact it is imperative to your salvation that you feel it, often. Thank your Father in Heaven for the love He has shown you today.

It is only this feeling of love and gratitude that gets someone like Joseph and Hyrum through life conquering all that they were asked to conquer.

I want to go through section 135 taking out some portions of things that are said and ask that we put these attitudes of the heart into our own lives during our trials, because it is only when we feel and remember the love of the Lord and then with that feeling put into our lives the burning desire to do anything we can to feel that love over and over and over as we conquer our trials.

135:1 “O Lord my God!” During a dark minute of Joseph’s life He calls for His God! Do we call for Him in our darkest minutes?

135:2 Willard Richards was given a prophecy from Joseph said, “that one day you will stand while bullets whiz about you, and you will remain unharmed” only after this moment did he know what Joseph was talking about. Do we live to be righteous, do we put ourselves in places and situations that keep us worthy of the promises the Lord has in store for us?

135:3 We will never have the list of things that Joseph and Jesus Christ have done for mankind, but what does your list consist of? What have you done? If you are saying, “Nothing” then bring up that feeling of Love and DO something, anything to put on that list.

135:4 “I am calm as a summer’s morning” How calm are you during your struggles and trials? I know I have work in this area. I believe he was calm because he trusted in the Lord, He had felt the Love of the Lord on thousands of occasions and knew that whatever was going to happen was for his highest good.
How bout the phrase, “I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men.” Do we? Can we say that we have no hard feelings towards all men? Are you willing to let those people whom you have animosity for make their own path of mistakes and have the opportunity to learn from them just as you want given to you? It is difficult in the heat of the moment isn’t it? I’m with you, but are you willing to let go of the anger and the frustration to feel the Love again, to keep you plugging on?

135:4 Hyrum before going to his death turned to the scriptures for comfort, where he read in Ether, “it matters not that Gentiles have grace, your garments are clean and I have prepared a place for you, because you have seen your weakness.” He knew he as going to face a huge struggle, I’m sure he wanted to live and be with his family. He could’ve run and hid, he knew what was to happen, but with the scriptures in his heart, he faced what he knew he had to do to seal his testimony for the gospels sake. Do we want to feel the Love of the Lord? Do we read the scriptures?

135:6 Finally “They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward” Do we live that way? Even through trials? Or do we get angry, cry, or hold hate in our hearts? Can we remember the Love that is stamped in our hearts? Can we conjure that love as we open our hearts, when we read the scriptures, live worthy of promises, forgive others, and most importantly call on the Lord during your darkest moments, as we do these things I testify that we will be strong enough for anything that comes our way! Joseph, Hyrum, and our Savior, Jesus Christ’s life prophecy that it can be done! In the name of Jesus Christ amen.
*Sing hymn 27 Praise to the Man vs. 2 & 4 especially. If there is time!