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Talk on joseph smith by tad r callister
Talk on joseph smith by tad r callister









talk on joseph smith by tad r callister

He used to say: “I just do the best I can and leave the worrying to the Lord.” I loved that saying. It reminded me that the Savior has taken upon Him the heavy lifting. He always had a smile and positive outlook on life. My grandfather, Elder LeGrand Richards, was a shining light. It is a reflection of the Savior’s pronouncement, “I am the light of the world” ( John 8:12). Optimism is a ray of light in what might otherwise be a dark world. Negativism and pessimism are Satan’s turf positivism and optimism are God’s. Optimism adds fuel to the fire of faith on the other hand, negativism throws water on its flames. It is powerful evidence of our faith in Jesus Christ and His power to heal us and save us, even when our trials seem momentarily unbearable. In fact, it is both a necessary component of faith and a fruit of faith. Optimism may not be the equivalent of faith, but it is certainly a steppingstone in the right direction. He knew the promise and possibility of exaltation was the foundation of a cheerful and optimistic life. With this divine insight he wrote to the Saints from that same prison cell: “Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God” ( Doctrine and Covenants 123:17). But Joseph now had an eternal perspective. He knew there was nothing the elements or any other person could do to rob him of his exaltation. He was in sole, absolute control of his destiny if he chose to find growth in these afflictions rather than despair. The Lord then painted a picture of Joseph’s future mortal life, and it was not a pretty one - his forced separation from wife and child, being cast into the hands of murderers, and the very jaws of hell gaping its mouth wide-open after him. Then the Lord gave Joseph a perspective that helped him understand the trials of the moment compared to the eternal rewards of the future: “My son, peace be unto they 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 shall triumph over all they foes” ( Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8). Such was the case with Joseph Smith. He had been confined to the cramped and foul quarters of Liberty Jail for over two months. Finally, in desperation, he cried out: “O God, where art thou? … How long shall thy hand be stayed” ( Doctrine and Covenants 121:1-2). And with that hope and eternal perspective we can and should be of good cheer. In essence, the Savior’s Atonement gives us hope and an eternal perspective that our internal choices - not external forces - determine our divine destiny.

#TALK ON JOSEPH SMITH BY TAD R CALLISTER TRIAL#

Why? Because once I complete the Atonement, there is no external force - no loss of life, or sickness, or economic disaster, or divorce, or other outside trial that can prevent you from being exalted, provided you are obedient and endure to the end.”Ĭredit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints In other words, “I am realistic enough to know that you will have trials and tribulations in life, but I can promise you that underlying it all you can be of good cheer. Nonetheless, knowing that all this would befall Him in the week ahead, He both warned and comforted us: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33). What quantum of pain causes even a God to tremble? He described this experience in His own words as that suffering which “cause myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain” ( Doctrine and Covenants 19:18). But even more trying than this would be His moments in the garden and on the cross where He would descend below all things (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:6). Peter, His chief Apostle, would deny knowing Him on three occasions, and some of those He had come to save would mock Him, spit upon Him and smite Him. It was the last week of the Savior’s life.

talk on joseph smith by tad r callister talk on joseph smith by tad r callister

Is it possible to be optimistic under such circumstances, or to the contrary, is it a time to yield to negativism and pessimism? In other words, can someone be realistic and optimistic at the same time? Fortunately, our Savior, the great Exemplar, has given us the answer. These are indeed turbulent times - a worldwide pandemic, protests and riots, widespread unemployment, a surge in crime, and election concerns.











Talk on joseph smith by tad r callister