His Weeping For Zion I Have Seen

I LOVE these words from God to Joseph, about Joseph: “For thus saith the Lord God: Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good, and his diligence I know, and his prayers I have heard. Yea, his weeping for Zion I have seen...” (D&C 21:7-8)

Joseph Smith WAS inspired in mighty power FOR GOOD. And just as He knows each of us, the Lord knew Joseph inside & out. Saw his joys & sorrows- his weeping! Saw his flaws & mistakes, his strengths & his honest heart. He personally taught, led, guided, & supported Joseph through the restoration of His gospel.

My testimony of Joseph is strong. Not because I have studied his life extensively, but because I have studied the Book of Mormon extensively, felt its power again & again, & know in my heart & soul it’s the word of God! ❤️ That is truly enough for me to know Joseph Smith was a prophet.

That said, I feel a hunger to know more, to study more, to delve into a deeper context of it all! I’ve read the D&C multiple times, I’ve taken church history classes in college, I taught gospel doctrine the year we studied the D&C previously (a terrifying calling- nothing like fear to drive good gospel study 😆), AND I’ve read the whole “The Work & the Glory” series😉 But I am hungering for more. It’s time to dig deeper.

Some may hesitate to dig deep- much evil is said of Joseph. I have read it. I do not believe it. 

What I do believe is that when we do have the chance to meet Joseph, we WILL see that he WAS God’s prophet. 

And we WILL KNOW that he was a GOOD MAN.

So I’ve committed myself to MORE. And just this week I have been struck with awe multiple times! I’ve felt empowered with truth, joy in clarity, & taught by the Spirit.

Wilford Woodruff said: 

“I traveled thousands of miles with Joseph Smith. I knew his spirit... I have felt to rejoice exceedingly in what I saw of brother Joseph... He carried with him the Spirit of the Almighty, and he manifested a greatness of soul which I had never seen in any other man... His soul swelled wide as eternity for the welfare of the human family.”

I may not travel thousands of miles with the Prophet, but I can seek to better know his spirit, his soul, his heart.