Easter Sunday Lesson

Our lesson today was presented by Lori Bentley. We are excited to have her as one of our relief society instructors. Her lesson was about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty jail. Although she touched on some of the history to create the setting of the lesson, she focused a great deal on what Joseph Smith learned from the trials he experienced and even more on what we can learn from the trials that arise in our lives. She shared the promise that the Lord gave Joseph Smith, "Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." We have the same promise that the Holy Ghost will be with us through times of trial. We can also feel peace from our Heavenly Father as we go through the trials that come our way. When the sisters were asked, "Why do we go through trials?" some of the answers were "to refine us," "to humble us," "to help us remember Him," "to help us understand the atonement," and "to help us feel compassion towards others."

The trials Joseph Smith endured are unimaginable. Mercy Fielding Thompson tries to give some description of her visit to the prisoners on p. 360 in the manual. Much of Joseph's concern, however, were for the saints and his family rather than for his own welfare. He felt peace. Joseph says, "For although I was 'troubled on every side, yet [I was] not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."

Thanks Lori for a great lesson.

-Sis Walker