Joseph Smith Farm Part 1

I often have the opportunity to serve at the Historical Sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the New York area. I want to share with all of you the awesomeness that is these sites and I hope that you enjoy my virtual tours of all of them, we are going to go in small pieces  to different places, in chronological order. The first is the Joseph Smith Family Farm in Palmyra New York.

This is the Smith Family Log Home, it is a replica but the things that happened here are true. This is where the Smith Family moved to in 1818 with 8 children, the ninth child was born in the back bedroom as you see in the picture here. When the Smith Family moved here in 1818 it was during a time of great religious excitement. In fact it was so exciting that it left many people wondering what to do. One of those who was greatly affected by this was a young man by the name of Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith describes this time, “During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness… but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.”(Joseph Smith History 1:8) He continues, “In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who 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) Have you ever asked yourself questions similar to that asked by Joseph Smith? Have you ever wondered about which church is right?

Well, if you have ever asked yourself the same question let me tell how Joseph Smith found the answer to his question. Joseph says, “While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James Chapter One Fifth Verse, which reads: 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.Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine.I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know…At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to “ask of God…” (Joseph Smith History 1:11-13) And that is exactly what he did. And you can also do the same, “ask of God.”

Joseph went into a small forest behind his home and he prayed. I am always so impressed by how Joseph Smith describes his experience praying. “After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God.I saw a pillar of  light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me…When the light rested upon me I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith History 1:15-17) I know that this account is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw two personages in that forest behind his home. I know that those men were God, our Heavenly Father, and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that God knows and loves you just as he does Joseph Smith and that He will answer your prayer in a way that is perfectly tailored to fit your needs.

Please stay posted for more about the Joseph Smith Family Farm and also the other Historic Sites of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New York Area.

Who are you?

Have you ever answered the phone and someone had reached the wrong number? They then follow up with the question, “oh sorry, who is this. How do you answer? Maybe something like, “Oh this is Bob.” or “My name is Susan.” Or if you were in a different situation you would say, “I am John and I work for such and such.” As a missionary I say, “I am Sister Christensen and I am a Mormon Missionary. ” How you respond to that question says a lot. It not only tells them your name but also a little bit about you.

Well, here is the question that I have for you; who are you really? Are you just Bob or Susan or John? Or are you someone special ? I am here to tell you that you are not just Bob, Susan, or John. You are a Child of God and you are loved by Him. So when you are asked who are you really, how do you feel? Don’t forget that you are a beloved Child of Heavenly Father.

 

God is our loving Heavenly Father. We are His Children. He loves us and He wants us to be happy. He wants to communicate to us and us to Him through prayer. Because He loves us He has given us this experience on Earth. In fact He loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us so that we can all one day return to be with Him again. You are a Child of God.

There is nothing that your Heavenly Father wants more than to communicate with you through prayer. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers. If you seem to find yourself a little distanced from your Father take the opportunity to talk to Him. He will always pick up, there will be no toll charges, and no wrong number.

I am a Child of God… And so are you!