As we know that God is in the details of our lives ( Encircled in the Arms of His Love, Neal A. Maxwell ), God has sent us here to be tested ( Alma 12:2 ) and that He will use all of our experiences for Good if we love Him ( Romans 8:1 )...
We can also know that Joseph Smith's experiences as recorded in D&C 2-5, & 10,
were used for good, as a learning experience for Joseph; in his call to bring forth the Book of Mormon, lead as the prophet of the Restoration of Christ's Church, and lastly,
we can know that we all are meant to learn from these recorded experiences in the Doctrine and Covenants.
Lesson 1 - D&C 3: 16
As Joseph allowed the recorded translations of the Book of Mormon go into care of Martin Harris, whom lost them, he learned that the coming forth of the Book of Mormon was going to happen with or with out him, and if he tried to bring it forth under his conditions, or the way he wanted to do things, then he would lose his gift altogether; because this is God's work and He knows best how to bring it to light.
As Joseph Smith learned this lesson he was able to learn to put full trust in God, and never to fear man's thoughts or reactions when he is following the Lord. Because of this experience Joseph was able to appreciate the trust that the Lord has in him at a higher levels, and respect the instructions that he is given by not questioning them over and over.
As I read about this lesson Joseph Smith had, it causes me to consider in what ways I am not trusting fully in the Lord's order, or specific plan for me? It helps me to realize that when I put full trust in God, I will be given all that I need, in example; keeping and receiving gifts that will help me in my journey back to Him, strength against temptation, and ability to endure.
Lesson 2 - D&C 3:2 , D&C 3:19, D&C 10:47-52
As Joseph allowed the recorded translations of the Book of Mormon go into care of Martin Harris, whom lost them, he learned that God " doth not vary from that which He has said " or in other words God keeps His promises. Because God had promised the faithful Nephites that the Jacobites, Zoramites, Josephites, Lamanites, Lemuelites and Ishmalites would have their testimonies of Jesus Christ - the plates were preserved and promised to come forth.
As Joseph learned this lesson he was able to recognize that God will also keep his promises to him and all those whom follow him as the prophet. Joseph likely saw the blessings that he could help others have as he would lead them as the prophet to make and keep covenants with God which always come with wonderful promised blessings.
As I read the words of God to Joseph Smith in relation to His promises to His children, my faith is also strengthened that as long as I keep my baptismal and temple covenants, He will also keep His promises to me. This also strengthens my desire to help everyone that I know to make and keep covenants with God.
Lesson 3 - D&C 10:63
As Joseph allowed the recorded translations of the Book of Mormon go into care of Martin Harris, whom lost them, he learned that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to establish God's gospel in such a way that there would not be "contention concerning the points of His doctrine ".
As Joseph learned this lesson I am certain that his desire to translate and share the Book of Mormon was strengthened. Joseph was able to have a clearer picture of the Book of Mormon in it's entirety and what good it would bring into the world.
As I read about the purposes of the Book of Mormon as establishing God's church without contention, my testimony is strengthened in the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because I clearly see the way that The Book of Mormon and His church is without contention regarding His doctrine - even today.
- There are many more lessons to be learned in these chapters, but most of all I think the lesson that I learned was the way that our Heavenly Father loves us and how He is so mercifully forgiving as He was to both Joseph Smith and Martin Harris. ( D&C 10:3 , D&C 3:10)
In my own life I have also experienced times when I have asked God for something over and over again, just as Joseph Smith had asked about showing Martin Harris the plates and allowing him to show his family over and over again.
What I have come to learn about this is that God's plan for me is always better than my plan for me.
" When God says no, He is really just saying wait. You may not see it today or tomorrow, but you will look back and see how everything added up and brought you somewhere so much better than you planned on going. " - unknown
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Encircled in the Arms of His Love - Neal A. Maxwell
"Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone. We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate. Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too. After all, the Book of Mormon plates were not buried in Belgium, only to have Joseph Smith born centuries later in distant Bombay.
The raising up of that constellation of “wise” Founding Fathers to produce America’s remarkable Constitution, whose rights and protection belong to “every man,” was not a random thing either (see D&C 101:77–78, 80). One historian called our Founding Fathers “the most remarkable generation of public men in the history of the United States or perhaps of any other nation” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, The Birth of the Nation [1968], 245). Another historian added, “It would be invaluable if we could know what produced this burst of talent from a base of only two and a half million inhabitants” (Barbara W. Tuchman, The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam [1984], 18).
Yet some still settle for an inconsistent or incapable god. Laman and Lemuel, for instance, were aware of ancient Israel’s miraculous rescue from Pharaoh’s mighty armies, but they murmured and were intimidated by a mere, local Laban. We can be so provincial and so self-concerned. God, who oversees the interlacings of galaxies, stars, and worlds, asks us to confess His hand in our personal lives, too (see D&C 59:21). Have we not been reassured about the fall of one sparrow and that the very hairs of our heads are numbered? (see Matt. 10:29–30; D&C 84:80). God is in the details! Just as the Lord knows all of His vast creations, He also knows and loves each in any crowd—indeed, He knows and loves each and all of mankind! (see 1 Ne. 11:17).
Consider His tender salutations to Moses—“I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight” (Ex. 33:12)—and to Joseph: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (JS—H 1:17).
No wonder King Benjamin pleads with us to believe that we do not comprehend all that God comprehends (see Mosiah 4:9). Ignoring the revelations about God’s astounding capacity is like playing aimlessly and contentedly with wooden blocks featuring the letters of the alphabet, without realizing Shakespearean sonnets were created using that same alphabet.
Father Abraham “staggered not” at the divine promise of posterity, because he was “fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:20–21). May we be “fully persuaded.”
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