Liberty Jail

It has been another excellent week! I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with two young elders. It's always good to see the growth in other missionaries and help them to develop their abilities. I've felt recently that a large part of my role as a missionary is to help to lead and train the other missionaries around me, and that is definitely where I find the most joy.

This week we were able to take Jerome on a tour of the Liberty Jail. We received a tour from the Sister Training Leaders in our zone, and let me tell you, that was probably the best tour I've had yet. As we heard the history and then made our way into the jail itself, the Spirit was incredibly strong. It felt like the experience was more for me than for Jerome. As I pondered upon the afflictions that the Saints went through, I felt immense respect and gratitude for the example of those witnessing such persecution. My testimony was bolstered in the reality of the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.

Later in the week while in a brief lesson  with Joy, I was able to share a verse from a letter Joseph wrote while in the jail. The verse reads, "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I truly know that as we put forth our efforts to have a positive and joyful attitude, Christ will lift us through the trials we face. He is the life, light, and hope of the world.