Lesson for January 5, 2014

January 5, 2014 Today the lesson was given by Joyce Garner about President Joseph Fielding Smith and his life. He used three great words, “True and faithful,” whenever he prayed. It was more than a phrase, it was his hope for the Church and members. His mother prayed for a son after three daughters and named him after his father. His grandfather was Hyrum Smith. He grew up with a great legacy of Church service. He also learned how to do hard farm work. He often drove the horses for his mother, who was a midwife. His first real job was at ZCMI where he did heavy lifting all day. He loved to play night games, hiding in the grape vines, and playing baseball, unless he was reading, which he loved—especially the Book of Mormon. It set his habits for gospel study. By the time he was ten, he had read the Book of Mormon twice. He was especially drawn to the temple. His uncle, John Smith, gave him his patriarchal blessing that told him that he should preach, and travel, and live to a ripe old age. He met Louie Shurtliff, who came to live with his family and go to the University of Utah and eventually married her—persuaded her to change her place of residence. They had been married about a year, when he was called on a mission to England and his wife went to live with her parents and work to pay for his mission. He worked hard on his mission, but converted no one, although he planted many seeds and grew as a leader. Back in the States, he worked at a temporary job and then worked in the Church Historical department. His wife became pregnant and they were able to build a home. They had two daughters. He also helped his father who was the prophet. Once he was sent by his father to dedicate a chapel when his father was supposed to go, but was sick, and it didn’t go well. Also, in his wife’s third pregnancy, she became ill and died. They had been married just ten years. He had to raise two little girls. He prayed to find a mother for his little girls. He then married Ethel Reynolds in 1908 and she became his second wife, companion, and mother to his little girls. In 1910 a vacancy came up in the Council of the Twelve and his father suggested Joseph, age 34. It wasn’t normal for the person chosen to be told ahead of time. When he went to conference he had a surprise. His wife wasn’t there. He told his wife he had to sell the cow, because he didn’t have time to take care of it any more. He served over 60 years. When he started, he got around with a horse and carriage and later by jet plane. His mission, he felt, was to cry repentance and care for the members. He was always compassionate and cared more for the welfare of others. When he was called to be an apostle, he had three daughters and one on the way. His second wife gave birth to seven other children, and his wife said he was a kind, loving husband, although it was difficult to be separated. He even wrote poetry to his wife, one of which is “Does the Journey Seem Long” in our hymn book. Ethel died in 1937, leaving him with five children left at home. He prayed and a name came to his mind of Jesse Ella Evens, a vocal soloist. She sang at the funeral of his second wife. Finally got up the courage to write to her and eventually went to the county clerk’s office to talk to her. She was 26 years younger than he was, yet they were very compatible. She was an extrovert and he was quiet, but it was their love and respect for each other that carried them through. He and Jessie were in Germany before WWII, and were given the task of moving 697 missionaries to neutral countries. Time was of the essence, and came down to the last ferries and trains out of Germany. Elder Smith was very grateful to Denmark for taking so many refugees and prophesied that the Danes would not suffer for lack of food during the war and they did not. He had delivered more than 125 General Conferences, many other speeches. His writings were published in 25 books. Because of his great knowledge, he influenced the lives of thousands of people and covered every aspect of the gospel, including that Christ is the Only Begotten of God and that by accepting the gospel, we could enjoy the blessings. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said he loved the Lord, had unswerving fidelity, and endured silently for his entire life in righteousness. He was charitable and an example of pure religion. On his eightieth birthday, the other apostles published a tribute to him about his tender soul and contributions to the Church. In January 1970, President McKay died and President Smith was sustained as the tenth president. He had served longer than any other president in the Council of the Twelve. He helped the Church grow to 3 million, built temples, and changed the Family Home Evening program to Monday night. He died July 2, 1972 after visiting Church workers and thanking them for their service.