God hears us
Joseph Smith Jr. was a fourteen year old kid in 1820. There were three main Protestant denominations competing for proselytes in his area of western New York. They all talked a good game of love, peace, and harmony; speaking for God, they said. But as soon as people united with one denomination or another the preachers and indeed, the converts, fought with each other over how churches should run. They all claimed to speak for God, basing their arguments on the Bible, but they all interpreted it differently, so that nobody could get the last word over the others.
Joseph Smith had not much education and felt keenly his lack of information. He saw their hypocrisy and bad feeling; it hurt to watch. He did his research, reading the Bible himself, attending their meetings as often as he could, listening and watching. His family split over the issue; some joined the Presbyterians and some held back, not joining any.
At last he asked himself, “What is to be done? Which of all these parties are right, or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?” (Joseph Smith-History 1:10)
In his study he read James 1:5: “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 him.”
He thought, boy do I lack wisdom! and, I can ask GOD myself! This verse promises that God will answer anybody who asks, and He won’t chew me out for asking stupid questions, or make fun of me. He “upbraideth not”; God will be kind in His answer.
That last reassured him; Joseph saw how the priests and converts around him argued and undermined each other, twisting the words of God to mean what they wanted it to mean for their own advantage. God Himself would not do that. He meant what He said, and would answer calmly.
So Joseph went to a private place, quiet and alone, away from his large family and away from the tumult of religions. He knelt down and began to pray.
At once he was attacked, not by anyone he could see, but by an overwhelming darkness that bound his tongue and tried to stop his prayer, seeking to destroy him. Joseph felt this enemy and knew it was not God. Joseph didn’t know a lot, but he knew God would not attack him. He had faith that God could save him from destruction if He chose to. The darkness nearly drove him to despair as Joseph gave maximum effort to call on God to save him.
At that moment, when Joseph felt about to give up, a light appeared above him. The light came gradually towards him, brighter than the sun. Not only was he bathed in light, but the enemy left. There was no more struggle with that unknown darkness.
In the light were two people, in form like mankind, but full of light and glory. Joseph heard one of them say, pointing to the other, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith-History 1:17) So, as soon as Joseph had recovered his wits, he asked the personage his question: which church should I join?
To his surprise the personage said they were all wrong, that their leaders were corrupt, that they taught the doctrines of men, like God’s words, but denying the power of God.
This fit with Joseph’s experience; he had seen the arguments and insincerity of the priests and converts, their professions of love for all people while back-biting and undermining each other. He also knew that not one of them had any better claim to God’s words than any other; none of them had authority from God.
So here was God himself, telling Joseph not to join any of them. God also told Joseph many other things, but Joseph chose not to tell us those other things. Probably God clarified some things for Joseph and reassured him that God loved him and would patiently help him along. Authority would come, in the future. Not now, not here; but eventually.
I’m grateful that Joseph asked God himself. I have asked God my own questions, and felt His Spirit guiding me. I have not seen God with my mortal eyes, but I know the warmth and power of His impressions within me. God hears us, and God answers.
