Rivet Our Attention

Rivet Our Attention

Rivet Our Attention
Mormon History Related

"When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Latter-day Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called Haun's Mill. A record of that time includes this: 'Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message' (Philo Dibble, in "Early Scenes in Church History," Four Faith Promoting Classics [1968], 90). Later, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: 'Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who abode by my counsel' (History of the Church, 5:137). Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun's Mill had his counsel been received and followed."In our own time we have been warned with counsel on where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated. For instance, more than once in general conferences, you have heard our prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet and would therefore be a second witness and sometimes even a third. Each of us old enough to listen heard President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) give counsel on the importance of a mother in the home and then heard President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) quote him, and we have heard President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) quote them both. "The Apostle Paul wrote, 'In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established' (2 Corinthians 13:1). One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time."

Henry B. Eyring, "Safety in Counsel," Ensign, June 2008, 5-6

Topics: Prophets