Chapters 52
and 53 of Isaiah contain the greatest Messianic prophecy identifying the
Messiah as ‘the Suffering Servant’. This was the Saviour’s role in His mortal
life. This prophecy is also dualistic in nature, meaning it speaks of two men
in very similar roles.
In this
prophecy Isaiah says the Saviour’s visage was “marred more than any man”. This
is a reference to His crucifixion and suffering on Calvary when He atoned for
the sins of the world (Isaiah 52:14).
When
visiting the Nephites, the Saviour Himself made it clear that there shall be
another servant in the latter days who shall accomplish ‘a great and marvelous
work’. Even though there will be many who will not believe him, the Saviour
said this servant shall be ‘marred’ because of them and be persecuted
throughout his life until they succeed in killing him. This latter-day servant
is Joseph Smith. (3 Nephi 21:9,10; Old Testament Student Manual, commentary for
Isaiah 52:13-15).
I am amazed
at how similar Joseph’s earthly life was to that of the Saviour’s. Like many
other prophets, he was the prototype of Christ. When Joseph cried out in misery
to God whilst in Liberty jail, the Lord told him that hell shall rage against
him (D&C 122:1-2). This truly proved to be true.
Right from
the beginning Joseph was aware that he was destined to be “a disturber and an
annoyer of Satan’s kingdom” (JSH 1:20). Two years prior to his death he said
that ‘envy and wrath of man have been his common lot all the days of his life
and that ‘deep water was what he was wont to swim in, which had become second
nature to him’ (D&C 127:2). That is a description of one hard life….
This is how
he saw himself:
“I am like
a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain, and the only polishing I
get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something
else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry, priestcraft,
lawyer-craft, doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the
authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and
corrupt men and women – all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there”
(Teachings of Prophet Joseph Smith, p 304).
Not only
did Joseph have to contend with the unbelievers but he often had to struggle
with opposition within the Church: “In early 1844 a group of apostates in
Nauvoo, Illinois, declared the Prophet Joseph Smith to be a fallen prophet and
tried to start a rival church. Some even held secret meetings, during which
they plotted to kill him” (See Glen L. Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, a
People of Promise [2002], 357-62).
I am
certain that Joseph felt it was all worth it when the Saviour sealed upon him
his exaltation a year prior to his death:
“For I am
the Lord thy God and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and
through all eternity, for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a
throne for you in the kingdom of my Father…..Behold, I have seen your
sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins….”
(D&C 132:49,50)
A mission achieved, a life
well endured……I wonder how many of his critics would be willing to live a life like his.
You
stood so resolute and willing
In
the councils of heaven,
Knowing
the jaws of hell
Would
open at the mention of your name.
Still,
you knelt in the sacred grove
And
uttered the words of faith.
You
honoured your promise
To
restore the truth
And
you opened the heaven’s gate.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
