(Note: text in red are the words of Christ)
Recalling his early training, Joseph stated "I was born . . . of goodly parents who spared no pains to instruct me in the Christian religion." But, like many other Christians, his parents recognized that some of the gospel principles taught by Jesus and His Apostles was absent from contemporary churches of their day. In Joseph's hometown of Palmyra, New York, several different denominations were attempting to win over converts. During this same time, Joseph's mother, two of his brothers, and his oldest sister had joined the Presbyterian church. Joseph, along with his dad and brother Alvin, held back and did not join a church at that time. This was due to the fact that Joseph, although young, had a deep concern about his own standing before God and about the confusion among the various denominations.
Recalling his early training, Joseph stated "I was born . . . of goodly parents who spared no pains to instruct me in the Christian religion." But, like many other Christians, his parents recognized that some of the gospel principles taught by Jesus and His Apostles was absent from contemporary churches of their day. In Joseph's hometown of Palmyra, New York, several different denominations were attempting to win over converts. During this same time, Joseph's mother, two of his brothers, and his oldest sister had joined the Presbyterian church. Joseph, along with his dad and brother Alvin, held back and did not join a church at that time. This was due to the fact that Joseph, although young, had a deep concern about his own standing before God and about the confusion among the various denominations.
According to the Joseph Smith History (See: Chapter 1:5; 7-13; See also: Who are Mormons?) "There was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects in that region of the country. Indeed, the whole district of country seemed affected by it, and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying 'Lo here!' and others, 'Lo there!'. Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist . . ." He continued: "While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally; and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him' (See: James 1:5)
Explains Brother Smith: "Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teacher of religions of the different sects understood the same passages of Scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible." He added: "At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to 'ask of God," concluding that if He gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not uphold, I might venture."
To be continued . . .
I say these things in Jesus Christ name, Amen
Explains Brother Smith: "Never did any passage of Scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teacher of religions of the different sects understood the same passages of Scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible." He added: "At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to 'ask of God," concluding that if He gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not uphold, I might venture."
To be continued . . .
I say these things in Jesus Christ name, Amen
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