And yet "I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."
- Joseph Smith History 1:21, 25
In his most recent general conference talk about Joseph Smith, Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge teaches that truth will always be opposed. Why is that?
According to what we read in JSH 1:21-26, how did Joseph Smith respond to the criticism and opposition that followed his account of his first vision? What did he do? What did he think/feel?
Back in 1980, President Spencer W. Kimball taught that "the Lord knows the challenges we face. If we keep his commandments, we will be entitled to the wisdom and blessings of heaven in solving them” (“A Deep Commitment to the Principles of Welfare Service,” Ensign, May 1980, 92).
To make your own list of attributes and to be inspired by the perfect Exemplar himself, check out these six bible videos below, and consider questions like these as you watch:
- Joseph Smith History 1:21, 25
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The following post is actually being written today by our whole seminary class. It consists of our responses to some questions on the topic of responding faithfully to opposition.
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In his most recent general conference talk about Joseph Smith, Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge teaches that truth will always be opposed. Why is that?
- Satan gets to people and tempts them to do wrong
- Some people in power or popularity base their prominence on lies, and so they oppose the teaching of truth because it undermines their authority by exposing their errors
- Some people feel pride, and seeing someone else live by or teach truth makes them feel inferior, so they make fun of or ridicule the other person in an effort to make themself feel better.
According to what we read in JSH 1:21-26, how did Joseph Smith respond to the criticism and opposition that followed his account of his first vision? What did he do? What did he think/feel?
- Felt surprise
- Occasionally had periods of "serious reflection"
- Felt great sorrow
- Likened the scriptures to himself and found examples in them to try to follow (i.e. Paul)
- Didn't deny his testimony
Back in 1980, President Spencer W. Kimball taught that "the Lord knows the challenges we face. If we keep his commandments, we will be entitled to the wisdom and blessings of heaven in solving them” (“A Deep Commitment to the Principles of Welfare Service,” Ensign, May 1980, 92).
One of the main ways God blesses us to help us overcome our challenges is by endowing us with spiritual gifts and Christlike attributes that enable us to "bear up (our) burdens with ease." (see Mosiah 24:15) Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, includes this statement about Christlike attributes:
"Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They come as you use your agency righteously. Ask your Heavenly Father to bless you with these attributes; you cannot develop them without His help. With a desire to please God, recognize your weaknesses and be willing and anxious to improve."
With these truths in mind, what do we feel are some of the spiritual gifts or Christlike attributes that we could ask God to grant us with so that we can respond faithfully to opposition?
- Courage
- Patience
- Faith
- Love, or Charity
To make your own list of attributes and to be inspired by the perfect Exemplar himself, check out these six bible videos below, and consider questions like these as you watch:
- How did Jesus respond to antagonism and opposition?
- Which element of his manner of response do you feel would be most helpful to you as you respond to the opposition you face - or will face - in your life?
- In the first video with Peter - where he denies knowing Jesus - what feelings, motives and/or thoughts do you think kept Peter from standing firm?
- How is Peter different in the second video, in which he does stand firm?
- How can you follow Peter's example of becoming more like Christ?
- Although He calls them vipers and fools and hypocrites, the Savior obviously loves the people who oppose him - he doesn't feel enmity towards those who see him as their enemy. How does he do that? What instruction does the Savior give to his followers that you feel enables that type of response?