The Relevance of Church History in Latter-days

Author's note: My first few posts will be old pieces of writing! (This religious piece included.) Any "past" piece will not be reviewed or re-edited because I want to spend my time revising current works instead of past pieces. While I recognize that my past (and probably current) writing contains mistakes, I hope that the research, themes, ideas, or opinions presented in my writing will spark others' interest and prompt them to conduct their own research and self-reflection!

Published via Facebook 3 April 2020

With LDS general conference beginning tomorrow, I thought I'd share some inspiring words I came across recently in my scripture study. Immediately after Joseph Smith History is a series of paragraphs in small text-Oliver Cowdery's testimony of the events that Joseph Smith describes in his personal history. His writing is timely and beautiful, and it summarizes some of my own beliefs about the gospel, particularly why it is so crucial in our lives. Speaking on the early restoration events, Oliver Cowdery said:

"These were days never to be forgotten-to stand under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of the bosom!..."

Starting tomorrow, we can have a similar experience! As we make sacrifices of time to listen to the words of prophets and apostles. As we faithfully and humbly partake of their testimonies, with a desire to improve, I know that each of us can receive a personal witness of the "inspiration of heaven" and God's love.

Oliver Cowdery continues: "After writing [transcribing] the account given of the Savior's ministry to the remnant seed of Jacob...it was easy to be seen, as the prophet said it would be, that darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the minds of the people."

We live in a world of powerful light but also consuming darkness. A multitude of enticing and confusing voices are constantly calling out to us and seeking to divert our attention from eternal pursuits. As Oliver Cowdery notes, it's "easy" to recognize the many distractions and temptations that we must avoid. Therefore, at times such as these, we must remain focused on the correct voice: the voice of God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Cowdery recounts: "On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed of repentance. What joy! What wonder! What amazement! While the world was racked and distracted-while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty...our eyes beheld, our ears heard...then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words...dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired. And as we heard we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls...Where was room for doubt? Nowhere; uncertainty had fled, doubt had sunk no more to rise, while fiction and deception had fled forever!"

Again, we live in a distracting, uncertain time, where many blindly search for a source of truth and certainty. And clearly, early church members experienced similar events. And yet, despite mass hysteria, confusion, and temptations that they experienced, there was still peace. There was revelation. There was godly love. There were answers. There was assurance! No room for doubt, fiction, deception, fear, or hurt. We can experience this for ourselves! I strongly believe this.

Finally, Oliver closes by saying the following: "I shall not attempt to paint to you the feelings of this heart, nor the majestic beauty and glory which surrounded us on this occasion; but you will believe me when I say that, that earth, nor men, with the eloquence of time, cannot begin to clothe language in as interesting and sublime a manner as this holy personage. No; nor has this earth power to give joy, to bestow peace, or comprehend the wisdom which was contained in each sentence as they were delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Man may deceive his fellow-men,

deception may follow deception,

and the children of the wicked one may have power...

and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but with one touch with the finger of his love,

yes, one ray of glory from the upper world,

or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity,

strikes it all into insignificance and blots it forever from the mind."

I add my testimony to Oliver Cowdery's. It's hard to convey the power of the gospel, of Christ, and God because conversion and discipleship are a personal endeavor. No number of comments, songs, testimonies, or articles that I share over social media or in verbal exchanges will truly explain the spirit I have felt. But I CAN add, with Oliver, that the world cannot give the joy, peace, or wisdom that God has granted me. I know this from painful and transformative personal experiences. Time and time again, I have experienced the healing power of Christ's Atonement in my life. I have felt God's unconditional love for me and heard His responses to my prayers.

And I'll quickly admit that I can't always feel that spirit. It takes a lot of effort. Weeks and months have sometimes passed where I feel disconnected from God. I can tell that I am not fully receiving His guidance but I can't seem to find the energy or true desire to re-establish a relationship with Him. And then eventually, I have an epiphany that allows me to repent, change, and seek God with renewed vigor. When I've finally hit rock bottom without God. When I have completely given up on my own stubborn beliefs or desires. When I'm on my knees apologizing and truly regretting my choices, or asking for forgiveness, His voice is there. And slowly, I can regain His light and guidance. Man may deceive, wickedness may bring temporary happiness, worldly trends and temptations may reign but I will always return to my Savior. For with just "one touch with the finger of his love", with one ray of wisdom from heaven, or word of peace from Christ, everything dulls in comparison. Whatever you are looking for, Christ can provide. I believe this with all my heart. Please take the time to watch whatever amount of general conference that you can! It can provide you with clarity, peace, understanding, motivation-anything you need.