Lesson to be learned from the 116 pages

There is a lesson to be learned from the 116 pages lost. To me the lesson I was taught by the Lord, through the revelation that was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, was hearkening unto his voice. Hearkening to me is means to be obedient and not only listen to God’s counsel but to act upon what I hear. Even though the prophet lend the pages to brother Martin Harris with “good intentions,” in hope of helping his wife be converted, the consequences that follow is what the Lord cares about. In my personal life, I see that the mistakes I have made are caused by some thought of first having a good intention and I fail to not study the situation fully in my mind; it is then when I am whipped back to follow the straight and narrow path that God walks himself. In his mercy, I know I am being guided and protected by his hand. I know that by striving each day to perfect myself and become more “Christ-like,” the Lord may be able to help me. And as long as I have a pure and sincere desire with a contrite heart, the things that I cannot fully complete, the Lord will to the rest. It is through the atonement that I am able to cleanse myself from vices of the natural man. The loss of the 116 pages has also taught me that I must always put my trust in the Lord, even though I have my one personal thoughts. Again, I was reminded of how God, our Father in Heaven, know each and one of us independently; he know us better than we ourselves. For example, during the last supper, Jesus Christ told Peter that he would deny him three times that night. Peter believed not and told the Savior he would not. Surely, by the end of the night, Peter had done so.  God himself sees what lies ahead of each and one of us. He is able to show us mercy every time we commit a mistake, showing us his unconditional love. He gave the prophet Joseph another opportunity and called upon him to repent. If he did, he would continue to be in service of the Lord. If not, the Lord would appoint another, because his work will go onward, with or without the Prophet Joseph Smith. Another way God shows mercy on us is that he will use the events that follow after we transgress to put the means for building his kingdom. He used the fall of Adam and Eve in order for all hi children, us, to be able to come to the world and fulfill the plan salvation. I continue to learn more of who our Father in Heaven is and the role that we play as his greatest creation and most prized possession. He never will “corner us, but will show us a door to find our way out” – Dr. Holzapfel. And all he asks of us is follow the Savior’ example.