THE KING



The king was a good and wise man who served his people with love and dedication. He cared not for wealth or power, although he had been richly blessed with both. His desire was that his people be kindly and fairly treated, the poor looked after, the arrogant, humbled. Unfortunately, as it is in every kingdom, there were those who cared not for these things, but instead who sought for power and authority. These used flattery and manipulation to gain favor in the sight of the people, selfishly seeking their own agenda.


In order to serve his people and bring about joy and happiness, the king embarked on a plan to rid his kingdom of self seekers. He called three about him, whose trusted advice he admired and met in counsel. After much deliberation, he determined to go among his people in disguise, while placing a look alike in his stead, to give the outward sign that all remained unchanged. In the unlikely event that some tragedy might befall the king, the three were to install his well beloved and righteous son to the throne. It was a dangerous plan but contrived to build a people that would be wise and pure in heart.


The king took the role of a traveling merchant and moved among the people, largely unnoticed. In using this method, he learned many things about how his subjects perceived him. Many thought him good and loving, others viewed his fairness as weak and thought he should do more to expand his army and conquer neighboring lands. Still others were grateful that he had not heavily taxed the people to support an opulent lifestyle.






His travels were accompanied by at least two bodyguards, who remained in sight, always within motioning or shouting distance, should he require help. These watchful stewards had ready access to call for hundreds of trained soldiers, should the need arise.


On one occasion, while in the outdoor market place, a rich man was approached by a crippled and blind beggar, pleading for coins that he might buy food. The rich man refused and treated the beggar with roughness and disgust. “Let the king’s storehouse feed you,” mocked the rich man. “I have better things to do with my wealth, rather than giving it away!”


When the wealthy man left, the king approached the beggar. “Why do you not apply to the king’s storehouse?” he questioned, slipping a coin into the beggar’s hand. “Those who the king has set as stewards of the king’s storehouse refuse me and those who apply, saying that the king only allows those who will pay a fee first.”


The king found the beggar’s words to be true and through his bodyguards, had the wicked men removed and new honest stewards installed. Further, there was a proclamation posted throughout the kingdom that all able-bodied men would be given fair work for fair wages and those who could not earn would be cared for.


By this and other such observations, the king was able to move among the people and eliminate, as much as it was possible, those who would disobey the laws of the kingdom. The king returned to his throne but would often move among the people, in like manner, during other times, discovering if his edicts were obeyed.


Because of the king’s love for his people and his diligence, he was beloved by his subjects and lived to a good old age. So too, may we, in our own stewardships, do all we can to forget self and protect and uphold the right, seeking not for praise, power or glory but seeking God for the welfare of our fellow beings.

GOD PROVIDES A WAY



During the winter of 1834, the Saints were driven from their homes. They determined to notify Joseph Smith of their predicament but had no provisions to make the trip. It was decided to send two men to make the long journey of well over one thousand miles. The following was taken from the autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, pages 107 to 109:


“After making our escape into the county of Clay – being reduced to the lowest poverty, I made a living by day labor, jobbing, building or wood cutting, till sometime in the winter of 1834, when a General Conference was held at my house. It was decided that two of the Elders should be sent to Ohio, in order to counsel with President Smith and the Church at Kirtland and take some measures for the relief or restoration of the people thus plundered and driven from their homes. The question was put to the Conference: ‘Who would volunteer to perform so great a journey?’


The poverty of all and the inclement season of the year made all hesitate. At length Lyman Wight and myself offered our services, which were readily accepted. I was at this time entirely destitute of proper clothing for the journey; and I had neither horse, saddle, bridle, money nor provisions to take with me; or to leave with my wife, who lay sick and helpless most of the time.


Under these circumstances I knew not what to do. Nearly all had been robbed and plundered and all were poor. As we had to start without delay, I almost trembled at the undertaking; it seemed to be all but an impossibility; ‘but to him that believeth all things are possible.’ (Mark 9:23)


I started out of my house to do something towards making preparation; I hardly knew which way to go, but I found myself in the house of brother John Lowry, and was intending to ask him for money; but as I entered his miserable cottage in the swamp, amid the low, timbered bottoms of the Missouri river, I found him sick in bed with a heavy fever and two or three others of his family down with the same complaint, on different beds in the same room.


He was vomiting severely and was hardly sensible of my presence. I thought to myself, ‘well, this is a poor place to come for money and yet I must have it. I know of no one else that has got it; what shall I do? I sat a little while confounded and amazed. At length another Elder happened in; at that instant faith sprung up in my heart; the Spirit whispered to me, ‘Is there anything too hard for the Lord?’ I said to the Elder that came in: ‘Brother, I am glad you have come; these people must be healed, for I want some money of them and must have it.’


We laid hands on them and rebuked the disease; brother Lowry rose up well; I did my errand and readily obtained all I asked. This provided, in part, for my family’s sustenance while I should leave them. I went a little further into the woods of the Missouri bottoms and came to a camp of some brethren by the name of Higbee, who owned some horses.


They saw me coming and moved by the Spirit, one of them said to the other, ‘there comes brother Parley; he’s in want of a horse for his journey, I must let him have this animal;’ this being the best horse he had. ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘brother, you have guessed right; but what will I do for a saddle? ‘Well,’ says the other, ‘I believe I’ll have to let you have mine.’ I blessed them and went on my way rejoicing.


I next called on Sidney Gilbert, a merchant, then sojourning in the village of Liberty, his store in Jackson County, having been broken up and his goods plundered and destroyed by the mob. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘brother Parley, you certainly look too shabby to start a journey; you must have a new suit; I have got some remnants left that will make you a coat,’ and so forth. A neighboring tailoress and two or three other sisters happened to be present on a visit, and hearing the conversation, exclaimed, ‘Yes, brother Gilbert, you find the stuff and we’ll make it up for him. This arranged I now lacked only a cloak; this was also furnished by brother Gilbert.


Brother Wight was also prospered in a similar manner in his preparations. Thus faith and the blessings of God had cleared up our way to accomplish what seemed impossible. We were soon ready and on the first of February we mounted our horses and started in good cheer to ride one thousand to fifteen hundred miles through a wilderness country. We had not one cent of money in our pockets on starting.


We travelled every day, whether through storm or sunshine, mud, rain or snow; except when our public duties called us to tarry. We arrived in Kirtland early in the spring, all safe and sound; we had lacked for nothing on the road and now had plenty of funds in hand. President Joseph Smith and the Church in Kirtland received us with hospitality and joy unknown except among the Saints and much interest was felt there, as well as elsewhere, on the subject of our persecution.”


This led to the organization of the Zion’s Camp rescue. Despite the destitute condition of Brother Pratt and his companion, the Lord had provided for their amazing safe passage.

TEMPLE STORIES



A member of our stake presidency told the following stories:


A husband and wife were driving to the Temple when an argument broke out between them. At length, silence reigned as they each felt that the other was wrong. As they arrived at the Temple parking lot, they realized they could not enter that sacred edifice while feeling anger toward one another. They talked out their disagreement, reconciled, apologized to each other and entered the Temple. An officiator asked them to be the witness couple at the session and they agreed. He also informed them that they would have the honor of being in the endowment session with the Prophet and his entourage. What if they had not reconciled their argument first?


A 30 year old down syndrome man had worked for years to be worthy to enter the House of the Lord. He had a terrible speech impediment and was very difficult to understand. When it came time to approach the veil, he could nowhere be found. After a diligent search, he was seen coming down the stairs from the Holy of Holies upper floor. “Where have you been,” they queried. He spoke to them without any speech impediment whatever and said, “Talking to Jesus.” No sooner had he finished that short remark and his speech impediment returned.