Spirtual thought June 30, 2015

HEY EVERYBODY!!!!
So I decided to do my spiritual thought this week on the hymn praise to the man with the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
W.W Phelps wrote many of the prominent hymns for the church. The Spirit of God, Now Let Us Rejoice, Redeemer Of Israel,

During the Missouri conflict W.W Phelps was angry with some of the counseling the prophet had given him including hate jealously and trials occurring during the Missouri conflict in Far West led him to betray the Prophet and wrote an affidavit of treason on the prophet. The prophet suffered 9 painful months in a cold damp jail in the middle of winter for false charges while many of the saints were driven out of the state or exterminated. Many saints lost their lives and many were beaten and driven from their homes. Later they would settle in Nauvoo and the prophet would be released from jail.

Two Years later W.W Phelps experienced a change of heart and suffered much heartache from his actions he wrote a letter to the prophet stating his desire for readmission into the church and forgiveness.

The prophet replied “It is true, that we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us, However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ.
“Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal.

“Your letter was read to the Saints last Sunday, and an expression of their feeling was taken, when it was unanimously resolved, that W. W. Phelps should be received into fellowship. “‘Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last.’”

When W.W Phelps and Joseph Smith met again the prophet embraced him. While many of the saints suffered much and lost many loved ones due to the action of W.W Phelps, all offered the right arm of fellowship.

When the prophet was martyed W.W Phelps wrote a Eulogy for the prophet which is now known as the hymn Praise To The Man.

PRAISE TO THE MAN WHO COMMUNED WITH JEHOVAH! JESUS ANOINTED THAT PROPHET AND SEER! BLESSED TO OPEN THE LAST DISPENSATION KINGS SHALL EXTOL HIM AND NATIONS REVERE

HAIL! TO THE PROPHET ASCENDED TO HEAVEN TRAITORS AND TYRANTS! NOW FIGHT HIM IN VAIN MINGLING WITH GODS HE CAN PLAN FOR HIS BRETHREN DEATH CANNOT CONQUER THE HERO AGAIN!!!!!

“I knew Joseph Smith better than any other man, and I can testify that I have not known any man better than him! I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained"- Brigham Young

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Someone asked me once. What would your life be without the prophet Joseph Smith? My life would be in a dark place and not as happy without the teachings, principles, and gospel that the Prophet Joseph Smith Restored. I know he was the prophet of the restoration!!!