6-21-2026 A Ministering Message: Combined for Payson 10th Missionaries and My Dear Family and Friends.

Note: There is several videos in this post.  Perhaps you might watch, listen and read throughout the week as we remember the Martyrdom of the Prophet Jospeh and his faithful brother Hyrum.

And how they sealed their testimony with their blood to introduce us to the Savior Jesus Christ !!

I felt a very strong impression to share a little bit about the prophet Joseph and  Emma and Hyrum.

Reflect on the great blessing it was to this world to have a Joseph Smith. Other than Christ himself. No one has done more for mankind.

I hope and pray by the time you have finished reading and watching the items on this blog that your testimony of Jesus Christ and his servant the Prophet Joseph Smith will be strengthened.

As I listen to the following song I am so amazed at the strength that he and so many other had. i think of the persecutions and death of the early apostles, the first "Christians all willing to suffer death and not renounce the Savior Jesus Christ.

I wonder, do I have the strength, do I have a true knowledge of Jesus Christ, not to know about Him but to know HIM?

I am such a weak and imperfect person I pray that the hardness of my heart will be taken away. That it will be softened that I might come to know The Christ.

I have always felt a strong love and adoration for Joseph and his wife Emma. They had many Abrahamic tests in their lives. With the ultimate being the martyrdom of the prophet. And for his dear wife to carry on with her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and her testimony of her beloved Joseph.  But, with all the tremendous tests that she had to endure.  Her knowledge and love of her husband as a prophet of God never wavered.  Nor did her love of the Savior Jesus Christ.

This young boy with such faith and courage went through trial after trial to not only obtain the gold plates but also translate them, get married, have children die, be run out of town, have parent in-laws, who did not want Emma to marry him.

It seems as if the whole world was against him. And, indeed the "world" was. The worldly people who listen to satan more than their Heavenly Father conspired long and hard how to stop the prophet and his teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But just like the Savior himself, they had no real power over him until it was his time to go home

He and Emma suffered so much. He was separated from her and the children often. Many times penniless, with hardly any food at home. Just plain very hard conditions. However, he knew what  he knew. He trusted our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He showed each of us that we will have opposition and great trials in our lives. Yet, he kept his eye on the mark even Jesus Christ himself.

  We testify to each of you that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ did indeed appear to the boy Joseph in the Sacred Grove. He did translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.

We learn that we can rise above all things trying to defeat us. God is real. Jesus is the Christ. They love each of you. Never, ever doubt that no matter the trial or obstacle you are facing. When you feel as if you're alone.

Take a moment and look back. That single pair of footprints in the sand is truly the Savior Jesus Christ carrying you.