The THREE Years Joseph Smith Went Without ANY Revelation | D&C Section 2, Joseph Smith History | Come Follow Me

What would you if you had physically seen Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and they told you they had an amazing work for you to do, and then after that you heard nothing back from them? Would you be able to handle it? Well, Joseph Smith had to experience this first-hand.

It had been three years since God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph in the grove, but Joseph hadn’t received any additional revelations since then. He began to wonder about his standing before the Lord. Like all of us, he had made mistakes, and he felt condemned by them. Yet God still had a work for him to do. And the work Joseph was called to do is connected to what God asks of us.

Joseph Smith History 1:

During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year eighteen hundred and twenty-three—having been forbidden to join any of the religious sects of the day, and being of very tender years, and persecuted by those who ought to have been my friends and to have treated me kindly, and if they supposed me to be deluded to have endeavored in a proper and affectionate manner to have reclaimed me—I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society.

During this time Joseph writes about the many persecutions that he went through because of his Vision, as well as the many temptations and inadequacies he was feeling. The inadequacies Joseph was feeling however were due to growing up with so much persecution and falling into his temptations. 

I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature. But I was guilty of levity, and sometimes associated with jovial company, etc., not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as I had been.

One might point out and say "why would God put so much trust in a young boy who fell into these worldly temptations?" One reason is the humility that Joseph presented. Through 3 years of persecution and not really becoming the man he felt that Heavenly Father wanted him to be, he was brought down to his knees in humility and concern, and asked for forgiveness of his sins so that he could know his standing.

I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.

Because of his faith, Joseph was visited by the Angel Moroni, and the process of the Restoration of the Church continued. 

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments!