My Freudian Slip

In Spanish they say Jesucristo to mean Jesus Christ and the Prophet Joseph Smith is José Smith.

This past week when I was teaching at zone conference I accidentally referred to the Prophet Joseph Smith as "JoséCristo."  All the missionaries laughed, knowing I had made a mistake.  But I thought, “why did I make this mistake?” and I realized that I see many Christlike qualities in the Prophet Joseph Smith, that he and the Savior were similar in my mind.

I think of the time the prophet was in Liberty Jail, and as horrific as was his personal circumstance, he was most worried about the Saints (D&C 121:2).  Like Christ, his life was focused on service to others.

I thought of Joseph going to Carthage “like a lamb to the slaughter” when he knew he would seal his testimony with his blood.  Our Savior gave his mortal life willingly “And truly the son of man goeth as it was determined.”  (Luke 22:22)

I thought of Joseph’s being despised and hated as the Savior was (Isaiah 53:3) and Joseph accepting that this would happen from the first visit of Moroni (JS Hist v. 33)

I thought of the Son of Man who had no place to lay his head (Matt 8:20) and the Lord’s warning to Joseph Smith that in temporal labors he shall not have strength (D&C 24:9)

Like most “Freudian slips,” they are based in actual feelings, and I really feel like Joseph Smith was a Christ-like man.

Playing like the Prophet

The other really fun game was the stick pull at which the Prophet Smith excelled.  Each zone chose their champion and they challenged one another.  After it all we remembered we're all on the same team!

Loor al Profeta

We had a really fun zone conference this week about the divine calling of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  The missionaries especially liked playing the games the prophet played.  Here they are doing the "long jump" on a rather slippery floor.  But no one got hurt!

Never too late to repent

It took a few years, but this supportive family is thrilled at the chance to be together for eternity. (Missionaries on either side)

Exceptional Faith

You can imagine the faith it took for this 90 year old man to enter the waters of baptism.  He is confined to a wheel chair and had to use a walker to descend the steps and sat in a chair to be baptized.  It took three tries, with one of his grandchildren holding his feet down in the end, it worked.  What a relief to be cleansed of sin at last!

Priorities

I taught with these wonderful hermanas this week in the living room of a fine family.  I was struck by the lack of need for furniture, but the absolute necessity for very loud speakers.