Giving It All Up for the Lord

 One of the best things to watch as a parent is to watch your children learn and grow in truth. As I read this week’s Come Follow Me of Joseph Smith growing from a 14 year-old boy to a 17 year-old young man, I could relate very well to what that time of youth is like. You make mistakes and learn from them. You’re developing ideas, and you’re starting to figure out who you are.

“I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature…In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections…I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies…” Joseph Smith History 1:28,29

Joseph knew he wasn’t living up to his potential. He was seeking direction. He was told by Moroni the things he needed to do. Moroni would visit Joseph 3 more times. He would repeat the instruction, and then add a little to it. He was teaching Joseph through repetition and line upon line. Joseph was told “that God had a work for [him]to do.” (JSH 1:33) Joseph would do that work. He would do all that God asked of him. He would give up his good name, life’s comfort, and ultimately his life for the Lord.

My daughter received her mission call. She’s putting her life on hold to share what she knows to be true. She’s just 19 years old. She shared today how committing her life to the Lord has changed her for the better. She has learned line upon line, and will continue to do so. She’s excited to share the love of Jesus Christ with others for the next 18 months, doing His work, the work He’s asked her, all of us really, to do.