Those who follow Jesus Christ will be tried and must prove
themselves faithful to God.
“there is no safety, only in the arm of Jehovah. None else
can deliver, and he will not deliver unless we do prove ourselves faithful to him
in the severest trouble. For he that will have his robes washed in the blood of
the lamb must come up through great tribulation ( Revelation 7:13-14), even the
greatest of all afflictions.
“the destinies of all people are in the hands of a just God,
and He will do no injustice to anyone; and this one thing is sure, that they
who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12)
“men have to suffer that they may come upon mount Zion and
be exalted above the heavens.” While suffering greatly during his imprisonment
in liberty jail during the winter of 1838-39, Joseph Smith wrote to member of
the church:
“beloved
brethren, we say unto you, that inasmuch as God hath said that he would have a tried people, that he would
purge them as gold ( Malachi 3:3), now we think that this time he has chosen
his own crucible, wherein we have been tried; and we think if we get through
with any degree of safety, and shall have kept the faith, that it will be a
sign to this generation altogether sufficient to leave them without excuse; and
we think also it will a trial of our faith equal to that of Abraham, and that the
ancients will not have where of to boast over us in the day of judgment, as
being called to pass through heavier afflictions; that we may hold an even
weight in the balance with them.”
“trials will only give us the knowledge necessary to
understand the winds of the ancients. All things shall work together for good
to them that love God ( Roman 8:28)
John Taylor, the third president of the church, said: “I heard
the prophet Joseph say, in speaking to the twelve on one occasion: ‘you will
have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it quite as necessary for you to
be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God, and (said he) God will
feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings,
and if you cannot stand it you will not
be fit for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom of God.’ Joseph Smith never
had many months of peace after he receive the truth and finally he was murdered
in Carthage jail.
“let us not sorrow as ‘those without hope’ (1 Thessalonian
4:13)
I have learn not to plan every events in my life but stand
ready to accept the lord’s view.
