Come Unto Christ

By: Conner Bingham

On May 4, 1834 a militia of 200 men, accompanied by a few women and children, set out for Jackson County Missouri. Led by Joseph Smith Jr., their mission was clear: they were to reclaim the homes, land, and property of the saints, which had been taken by force. Following months of persecution, the church’s pleas for redress fail on deaf ears to the government. The culmination of all these events led to a revelation from the Lord, to Joseph Smith, in which the Lord states his will, “for the redemption of Zion.”

With this mission at hand, and with the backing of the Lord’s prophet, and ultimately the Almighty God himself, one might assume that the saints were successful in retaking their rightful lands and possessions. This, however, was not the case. The militia was disbanded before they ever reached Jackson County and ultimately persecution would culminate to a point where Joseph Smith Jr. and his brother Hyrum were martyred and the saints were driven to flee west, where they eventually found their home in the Salt Lake Valley.

From this event one may be tempted to draw many false conclusions. They may assume that God had not spoken to Joseph. That this was evidence that he wasn’t prophet or that this wasn’t the true Jesus Christ. That God did not support the saints.

Likewise, many of us go through modern day trials, comparable to those faced by Zion’s camp. For some, it may be a temple marriage that ended in divorce. For others, it may be faithful parents separating. Maybe the actions of a church leader cause us to doubt our faith. Losing a job. Losing a spouse, a parent, a child, a brother or sister. Perhaps it is our own sins and mistakes that have caused us to lose hope. Addictions that seem inescapable. The list goes on and on. I have experienced many of these myself, and have cried out in my own way, “if there is any other way” let me do that. I have not said it’s easy. I haven’t said I even understand or can pretend what it is you are now going through, but this I know, there is one who has. Whatever the trail is that causes us to questions our faith, I think the best answer I have found is given by Elder Nelson, when he stated, “Our faith is in Jesus Christ, not outcomes.” The statement is simple, yet profound. It reflects the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, as they stood before King Nebuchadnezzar and declared, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace...But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." Daniel 3:16-17. They knew and believed God could deliver them, but they also knew that he may not. It wasn't a matter if he could. He parted the Red Sea for their ancestors. He created the world and the universe we live in, and they knew he could do this small miracle for them. They trusted God and his power, however, this did not mean that he would save them from temporal death.

Life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect it to. Whether that is a result of our own personal mistakes or the consequence of others, the answer to finding peace and happiness is the same-- come unto Christ. Perhaps there is no greater comfort than the Saviors own words, when he said, “ Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28-29

Christ did not promise that following him, would lead to a life free from hardship. In fact, he suggests that it will be anything but that, when he stated, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The symbolism of the cross, which Christ evokes in this metaphor is clear. A life lived like Christ’s is not free from heartache, sorrow, or misery, but it is one that leads to eternal life and eventually our mansions above.

I can testify that I have come to know Christ personally. He is a friend. I know that he cares deeply for each of God’s children. If we listen carefully, we can still hear the voice of the good shepherd calling unto each of us by name, saying, “Come and follow me.” His miracles have not ceased today, and even if it means he has to part the Red Sea, so that you can come to him- he will.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33