"The blessings of the Lord are offered to the Saints and to the world through the ministrations of those who hold his holy priesthood, who represent him"
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| "Even in his advanced years, [he] always prayed, 'May we be true and faithful to the end'" |
Fun Fact: Would often leave baseball games to continue reading the Book of Mormon
History: Joseph met Louie and their courtship had blossomed into love. Eventually, the discussed marriage, but wondered if he would be called to serve a mission. In those days, men and women did not approach bishops to be recommended for such calls. The process was done entirely through the office of the Presidency of the Church and that's why a young man never knew when he would be called to serve a mission. A year later, still no mission call and so they decided to go forth with their marriage plans and married for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple by his father Joseph F. Smith. However a year later, he was called to serve a mission. As he was interviewed by the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Franklin D. Richards, he asked where he would like to serve his mission and he said anywhere the Lord would send him, but President Richards insisted and so he said he would like to go to Germany, but they sent him to England instead. As I read about some of his personal experiences when he was younger, these stories were the ones that stood out to me the most. The day he had to leave for his mission, he had to say goodbye to his wife and family and just reading how devastating it was for him to leave everything behind was sorrowing, he said "Goodbye Louie, my precious. God bless you and keep you safe for me", but he also showed joy and enthusiasm to serve the Lord. It makes me wonder how it would be like if my husband were to be called to serve a mission now and it would be extremely hard for me to live through, it would definitely be a challenge, but it would also bring me joy because I know that my husband is a true disciple of Christ and he would do anything the Lord asked him to and I know he would be helping people who need the Gospel. I thought it was interesting that when Joseph Fielding Smith was released from his mission "he did not make one convert, did not have opportunity to perform one baptism, although he did confirm one convert." However, he and his companions had planted gospel seeds, helping many people find greater peace and understanding, and he especially had grown personally as a student, teacher, of the gospel and as a priesthood leader. A couple years later, his wife was suffering from a severe, unremitting illness related to the early stages of her third pregnancy. Unfortunately, she continue to worsen and died. I could not image the pain they had to go through as a family, but their faith helped them get through it and Joseph Fielding Smith was able to remarry and Ethyl Reynolds was able to help raise his two daughters.
The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood: Chapter 12
President Smith taught that through the priesthood, "the Lord offers to his daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons". I think that although women don't necessarily have permission to activiely use their priesthood, a man has the responsibility to use his priesthood to help women in their time of need. God did not leave women behind, they can obtain every blessing any man can. he also said that priesthood holders have greater incentive tostrive for eternal life when they understadn their covenants. I was able to ask my husband this question since at some point in his life he wasn't actively using his priesthood power. He said that once he realized how powerful and wonderful the priesthood is, it helped him get better in life. Through the example of missionaries and others around him, it is what drove him to persue life goals and overall change his character. I think it's important for the memebers of the chuch to use their priesthood keys so that all those that surround them may receive blessings as well. "Chirst is the great prototype where priesthood is concerned" We must follow the example of Jesus Christ in our service to help others. Through his example, we stirve to become more like him by serving those that surround us and through that, our children will see how important it is for us to be charitable.
