“Wherefore,
I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the
earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from
heaven….that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets: The weak
things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong
ones…..” (D&C 1:17-19)
Surely the
Lord could not have found anyone weaker than Joseph Smith. An uneducated boy
from a poor family, a farmer no less…..yet obedient and humble and brought up to be God fearing. One
might ask why the Lord would choose ‘the weak things of the world’ to do such
important work.
Herein is
the wisdom of our God. The answer lies in the definition of ‘weak’ in this
context. The ‘weak things of the world’ are lacking professional skills, prominence
and means recognized by worldly standards.
The reason
why God would use such men to accomplish His purpose lies in verse 19. Those
who are esteemed by the world do not seek to honour God but seek the honour for
themselves. The world would also, in turn, give them credit and honour instead
of God. Many would be at risk of being deceived in this way by the persuasions
of men and would learn to rely on ‘the arm of flesh’ rather than God.
I am
convinced that Joseph Smith was sent to a poor family so that he could not
receive an education because it was imperative that an uneducated man translate
the ancient record that became the Book of Mormon. How else could the Lord
prove His partnership with him in bringing this book to light?
None other
but a weak, uneducated man would admit to this partnership. An educated and
qualified man recognized for his intellectual and academic abilities would
claim credit for such a work.
This the
Lord proved when he instructed Joseph to take some of the translated manuscript
of the gold plates to a ‘learned man’ as per Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 29:11,12)
outlined in great detail in chapter 27 of 2 Nephi.
The ‘learned’
and educated man was Professor Charles Anthon who certified the translation as
being correct and true but when Martin Harris told him that Joseph was
instructed by an angel to find the plates, the Professor tore up the
certificate saying there was no such thing as ministering of angels and asked
for the plates to be brought to him for translation, ‘because of the glory of
the world and to get gain’ (2 Nephi 27:16). Imagine what claim to fame would
Professor Anton obtain if he had got his hands on the golden plates? He most
certainly would not have worked in collaboration with Moroni….
According
to Nephi, the Lord said to the ‘unlearned man’ who had no skills to translate: “I
am able to do my own work, I WILL GIVE YOU the words which you shall read” (2
Nephi 27:20). And He did. Because of it Joseph gave glory to God and he paid a
heavy price for it too. The ‘weak’, yet willing and favoured of God.
The Lord
still uses ‘the weak and the simple that the fulness of His gospel might be
proclaimed unto the ends of the world’ (D&C 1:23). When I look back on my
missionary days as a young convert I fully understand this scripture. Young, no
secondary education, barely understanding the full significance of the Church,
no prominence in anything except a burning testimony and a deep faith in God.
As a young
missionary I carried my testimony from door to door as I proselyted for 18
months and had success in leading people
to acceptance of the truth. We were so young and inexperienced and imperfect yet
people listened to us. I am so grateful for that experience because it taught
me that I am nothing without Him. I was my greatest convert.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: I Will Go Before Your Face by Kenneth Turner)
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