10/20/13 Lesson Review

Important Reminders
-VT Interviews will be held during Sunday School and Relief Society
-Oct. 26: Primary Halloween Party, 10am in the Church parking lot...decorate your cars for Trunk or Treat

Lesson Review

Teachings of the Presidents of the Church

Lorenzo Snow – Chapter 20: The Kingdom of God Moves Forward

In 1844, when Lorenzo Snow was fulfilling an assignment in the eastern US, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred.  President Snow later recalled, “It was thought by some in the days of Joseph that this Church could not prosper except Joseph guided its destinies, and when the time came when he was to pass away from this world as a martyr into the spirit world, the Saints throughout the kingdom of God were greatly agitated.  It was something unexpected.  They hardly knew how things would then move.  The responsibility [to lead the Church] then devolved upon the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and through the blessings of God upon them and the spirit of inspiration that dwelt in their bosoms, and under the guidance of the Almighty, the kingdom moved forward.”

When the second President of the Church, Brigham Young, died in 1877, after having led the Church for 33 years, Elder Lorenzo Snow, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, once again witnessed a change in the Church’s earthly leadership, and later said, “The Saints were hardly prepared for it.  And yet the kingdom of God moved forward.”

In 1887, after reassuring the Saints at President Taylor’s funeral, Lorenzo Snow said, “…the Church still moves forward.” 

In 1898, while serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and needing assurance that the Church would still move forward as President Wilford Woodruff’s physical health was failing, Lorenzo Snow knew that according to the established line of succession, he would preside over the Church.  Considering himself inadequate to assume the leadership of the Church, he went alone to a room in the Salt Lake Temple to pray. He asked God to spare President Woodruff’s life, but he also promised that he would perform any duty God required of him.

Not long afterward, President Woodruff passed away and President Snow once again went to a private room in the temple to pray. He acknowledged his feelings of inadequacy but expressed his willingness to do the Lord’s will.  He asked for guidance and waited for an answer, but none came, so he left the room.

Entering a large hallway, he received the answer and the reassurance he had sought.  Before him stood the resurrected Savior, who told him what he needed to do.  President Snow later related this experience to his granddaughter, Alice Pond (see Teachings of the Prophets, Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 20, p. 238-239).  President Snow’s visit with the Savior was a sacred confirmation of a truth he had known for many years – that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, and the Church would continue to progress in spite of opposition.

As a testament to this, President Snow said the following:

“His purposes will be accomplished in spite of all the opposition which may be brought against them by wicket men and the powers of darkness.  Everything that stands in the way of this work will be removed.” 

“No matter who are lost by the way and make shipwreck of their faith, the Church will go on.”

“The Church will stand, because it is upon a firm basis.”

The work of the Lord will continue, regardless of what happens in the world, with or without our help.  President Snow instructed we are to be engaged in the work of God, that is time for us to humble ourselves before God and accomplish the work He has entrusted to us. 

“It is the business of those who profess to be engaged in His work to move on, to go forward,…without murmuring or having to be urged; so long as there remains a step forward to be taken, that step should be taken.”

President Snow warns that the Lord “very possibly may cause a heavy pressure to bear upon us, such as will require great sacrifice at the hands of his people.  The question with us is, will be make that sacrifice? This work is the work of the Almighty and the blessings we look for which have been promised, will come after we have proven ourselves and passed through the ordeal.”

President Snow also urges us forward:  “Well, I [say] to one and all, Move on! Move on, and see the salvation of the Lord, and not stand still.”

Next Week (10/27/13): Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness and The Lord's Way (click the title to see articles)