Reading

I just read in Rough Stone Rolling about that hard period in Joseph's life when he lost the manuscript pages and he had his calling taken from him for a time.  This happened at just the same time that Emma gave birth to their first child who died the first day and Emma was almost lost as well.  Martin had already taken the manuscript before the birth and Joseph followed him as soon as he was able -- just a few weeks -- and found that Martin had broken his trust and lost the work of the Lord.

This struck me because the loss of the baby and the scare with his wife would be enough to undo the best of us, but compared to the loss of the companionship of the Lord, it was nothing.  Joseph wept and groaned and according to accounts from his friends, was very low for the entire months of his probation.  It changed him, absolutely.  It turned him into the prophet he hadn't before been ready to be, but hard?  We must assume it was extremely hard since we have the story of the baby and the wife which we can imagine and the suffering from the loss of the spirit made that seem as nothing.  Wow.

Also, this is described as the hardest time of Joseph's life.  Really?  Joseph goes on to be tarred and feathered, beaten by mobs, imprisoned, fed disgusting food, etc., etc.  It is not a life I have ever envied him.  In comparison, during these months he lives in a quiet two-room house with his wife and 15 acres of his own land.  Sounds peaceful, right?  What's missing?  The companionship of the Lord.  What a difference it must make if Joseph is happier being tarred and feathered with the Lord than living quietly without Him.

There truly is nothing more desirable nor nothing that will bring us as much joy as this companionship with the Lord.  Perhaps I should envy Joseph's life afterall . . .