Leading in the Lord's Way

Today's lesson in Relief Society from the manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, was on chapter 24: Leading in the Lord's Way. There were many things written that I feel impressed to reiterate here in my blog:

In 1834, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints living in Missouri were facing severe persecution. The Prophet Joseph Smith, who was living in Kirtland, OH, longed to help them. The Lord revealed to him that he should organize a group of Saints to march to Jackson County. They would help recover the lands and property illegally taken from Church members. The camp was officially organized May 6, 1834 and was called Zion's Camp, which included over 200 people. They would march from Kirtland, OH to Jackson County, MO some 900 miles away that May and June.

"Despite all the problems of this dangerous and difficult trip, Joseph Smith taught that members of the camp important principles of leadership as he led them day by day. Wilford Woodruff, a member of Zion's Camp who later became the fourth President of the Church, declared: 'We gained an experience that we never could have gained in any other way. We had the privilege of beholding the face of the Prophet, and we had the privilege of traveling a thousand miles with him, and seeing the working of the Spirit of God with him, and the revelations of Jesus Christ unto him and the fulfillment of those revelations.' "

"John M. Chidester, a member of Zion's Camp, recalled: 'Zion's Camp, in passing through the State of Indiana, had to cross very bad swamps; consequently we had to attach ropes to the wagons to help them through, and the Prophet was the first man at the rope in his bare feet. This was characteristic of him in all times of difficulty.
'We continued our journey until we reached the [Wakenda] River, having traveled twenty-five miles without resting or eating. We were compelled to ferry this stream; and we found on the opposite side of it a most desirable place to camp, which was a source of satisfaction to the now weary and hungry men. On reaching this place the Prophet announced to the Camp that he felt impressed to travel on; and taking the lead, he invited the brethren to follow him.
'This caused a split in the camp. Lyman Wight and others at first refused to follow the Prophet, but finally came up. The sequel showed that the Prophet was inspired to move on a distance of some seven miles. It was reported to us afterwards that about eight miles below where we crossed the river a body of men was organized to come upon us that night.' "

"George A. Smith, a member of Zion's Camp, recalled: 'The Prophet Joseph took a full share of the fatigues of the entire journey. In addition to the care of providing for the Camp and presiding over it, he walked most of the time and had a full proportion of blistered, bloody, and sore feet, which was the natural result of walking from 25 to 40 miles a day in a hot season of the year.But during the entire trip he never uttered a murmur or complaint, while most of the men in the Camp complained to him of sore toes, blistered feet, long drives, scanty supply of provisions, poor quality of bread, bad corn dodger [corn bread],frowsy [spoiled] butter, strong honey, maggoty bacon and cheese, etc. Even a dog could not bark at some men without their murmuring at Joseph. If they had to camp with bad water, it would nearly cause rebellion. Yet we were the Camp of Zion, and many of us wereprayerless , thoughtless, careless, heedless, foolish, or devilish, and yet we did not know it. Joseph had to bear with us and tutor us like children. There were many, however, in the Camp who never murmured and who were always ready and willing to do as our leader desired.' "

Zion's camp didn't end up fighting or accomplishing its political objectives, but there were many long lasting spiritual results. As recalled by Joseph Young, one of the original member of the Seventy, the Prophet explained to a group of these brethren: "God did not want you to fight. He could not organize His kingdom with twelve men (The Apostles) to open the Gospel door to the nations of the earth, and with seventy men (The Quorum of the Seventy) under their direction to follow in their tracks, unless He took them from a body of men who had offered their lives, and who had made as great a sacrifice as did Abraham."

What a testimony to the restoration of the Gospel and how Joseph Smith was an instrument in the hands of God! I am so grateful to know that we are led by a Prophet today, Elder Thomas S. Monson! And that my local leaders are doing everything in their power to follow the will of the Lord.