“You remember the Prophet [Joseph] saw in panoramic vision at least nine of the Twelve in a foreign land. (He doesn’t say England, but that is where they eventually went.) He saw them gathered in a circle, without shoes, beaten, tattered, discouraged. Standing above them in the air was the Lord Jesus Christ. And it was made know to the Prophet that He yearned to show Himself to them, to reach down and lift them. But they did not see Him. The Savior looked upon them and wept. We are told by two of the brethren who hear Joseph rehearse that vision that he could never speak of it without weeping himself. Why? Why should he be so touched? Because Christ willingly came to earth so that all of the Father’s family could come to Him boldly, knowing that He knows what is taking place in us when we sin, that He knows all our feelings and cares. The greatest tragedy of life is that having paid that awful price of suffering 'according to the flesh that His bowels might be filled with compassion' and now prepared to reach down and help us, He is forbidden because we won’t let Him. We look down instead of up.
There may be things in our lives that make us more or less unworthy of certain privileges. But one thing we are never unworthy: prayer. I add testimony about this. The Prophet Joseph Smith not only taught it but exemplified it. Regardless of the condition of our soul, we can, we must, go to the Lord. He never closes the door against us; He pleads with us to call upon Him when we need Him the most. And often that is when we feel least worthy.”
Truman G. Madsen
Ensign, January 1976, p. 23
Comments
Post a Comment