From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 4/24/2020
Endurance
On October 27, 2019, I wrote in my journal: “I was awakened by the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit with a one word message: “Endurance.” This word may become more meaningful for us as we continue to endure the disruptions and hardships caused by the Coronavirus. Perhaps the Lord is preparing us to endure the even greater trials and tribulations which have been prophesied to come. “and because iniquity shall abound, the love many shall wax cold; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mark 13:13).
“And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name, shall be filled [by the reception of the Holy Spirit]; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father, at that day when I shall stand to judge the world. And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father: and this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men . . . and no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom” (3 Nephi 12:29-31).
There are many examples in the Scriptures of those who have endured great trials and testings and have remained faithful. Job said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:21-22). Even after Job was afflicted with boils from head to foot, he could say: “though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).
God’s people are not immunized from afflictions but he gives them strength to endure. Paul wrote: “They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, [Paul may have been referring to the martyrdom of Isaiah], were tempted, were slain with the sword [James]; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins [in poverty]; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; . . . God having provided some better things for them through their suffering, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:37, 40). It is indeed true that we often “learn obedience” by the things we suffer. (Hebrews 5:8; Doctrine and Covenants 102:2-d). When afflictions come, and they will, remember the words of James: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into many afflictions; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4).
Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; . . . he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:25, 27).
Even though Jesus knew what he would suffer there, “he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Jesus had informed his disciples “Saying, the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and chief priests, and scribes; and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said unto them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:22-23).
“. . . Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps”
(1 Peter 2:21). “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising [ignoring] the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured . . . lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (Hebrews 12:2-3). Let us be ever willing to endure the weight of cross-bearing as Jesus, our Savior, did for us.
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Dear Ones,
Alma was unable to preach in the city called Ammonihah. The people resisted all his words, spit upon him and cast him out of their city. As he was journeying on toward another city, he was weighted down with sorrow, . . . and anguish of soul when he met an angel, who said, Alma “lift up your head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice: for thou hast been faithful . . .” (Alma 6:16-19). When we labor under adverse conditions the Lord is pleased with our faithfulness. Jesus was despised, rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). “Remember, the disciple is not above his master; nor the servant above his Lord” (Matthew 10:21).
Find Us Faithful
(Steve Green)
We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road,
and those who’ve gone before us line the way
cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe.
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Emma Smith, wife of the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., was called the Elect Lady due to of her faithfulness to her husband. And even after his martyrdom she faithfully labored on in the rearing of their sons and in resisting the teachings of those who introduced false doctrines.
During a forced absence from his wife in 1842, Joseph paid a touching and fitting tribute to his beloved wife: “What unspeakable delight, and what transports of joy swelled in my bosom, when I took by the hand, on that night, my beloved Emma, she that was my wife, even the wife of my youth, and the choice of my heart. Many were the revibrations of my mind when I contemplated for a moment the many scenes we had been called to pass through, the fatigues and the toils, the sorrows and sufferings, and the joys and consolations, from time to time, which had strewed our paths and crowned our board. Oh what a commingling of thought filled my mind for the moment, again she is here, even in the seventh trouble; undaunted, firm, and unwavering; unchangeable, affectionate Emma” (Church History, Vol 1, page 120).
The 7th annual 17 mile Endurance Hike, sponsored by the youth of the Woodbine and Council Bluffs Restoration Branches, is scheduled to begin on Friday evening, April 24, 2020, with the hike on Saturday, followed by the participation of the hikers at the Woodbine Church on Sunday morning, April 26. The purpose of the hike is to test the participant’s physical, mental and spiritual endurance. Many testimonies have been shared of the blessings received during these endurance hikes.
A youth described the meaning of endurance: The power to withstand pain or hardship. The ability and fortitude to continue despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions. During one of the hikes, a young hiker screamed, “My legs are steel, my feet are iron, I can do this!” One of the leaders said: “It made me ask myself, Am I giving my all for the kingdom like this? Am I doing all that needs to be done without excuse, without delay? Suddenly, I recognized, He had helped me see how much more I needed to do in my spiritual walk. He helped me realize that I was nowhere near the point of exhaustion in my sacrifices for Him’ ” As Paul said: “Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
My Love to All,
High Priest Francis Harper
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