D&C 121-123 'O God, Where Art Thou?...'

 

It was from here that Joseph Smith made his plea to the Lord for the suffering saints.

This is Liberty Jail - a replica of where Joseph Smith and others were held for over 4 months .

'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?  How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea, thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?  Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them'....

Joseph Smith's pleadings continue for a few more versus on behalf of himself and his fellow saints, that are truly being persecuted by others.  But it's not so much Joseph's pleading to the Lord, although earnest and desperate, that have me so moved by these versus.  It's the Lord's reply to JS that has me inspired and touched - 

'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;,,,thou are not yet as JOB; ...'  Then it continues for another section until we come to sec 122: vs 5-9 where the Lord tells JS that all his trials, perils and travails shall give him experience and be for his good.  Then the Lord ends with this profound question for Joseph Smith..

   'The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater then he?'

Art thou greater than he?  Humbling question, wouldn't you think?  Like 'who are YOU to complain to me?'  But He knows that the saints and prophets are suffering as He gives this last verse of counsel..

   'Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.'

As the tour guide at Liberty Jail quoted these verses , I was taken back at the response the Lord gave Joseph Smith, in that, Joseph was not going to die any sooner or later than he was predicted to die by the Lord.  The Lord had things under control, and nothing man could do would change the results of Joseph's life. And that is how the Lord is with his saints, his righteous followers, his children.  He has things happen according to plan - HIS plan.

And for this, I am truly grateful.  It is comforting to know that HE knows it all - and is in charge.  I just need to follow Him - obey Him and accept his son's atonement.  

Liberty Jail.  The picture says it all.