Joseph Smith was martyred on this date

On this date, June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith was killed in Carthage Jail, Carthage Illinois by members of a mob who stormed the jail.

I cannot give to words how much this man has given me. I understand how controvercial this imperfect, flawed human is, but he has let me know some of the greatest people, greatest doctrines and greatest vistas I have ever encountered or ever hope to encounter. He has opened up the atonement to me, and I am very, very grateful for that.

I remember looking up at the Christus statue at Temple Square in Salt Lake City thinking how much I have come to love the Savior. I remember two years ago standing on the campus of BYU so thankful that I could have spent some time there. It opened my eyes and my heart, the short time there. It convinced me to serve a mission, two of my most miserable years of my life, but it gave me a language, German, that I studied when I came back to BYU. In German class I met my future bride. I received my first job from a reference by LDS Employment Services. LDS Family Services employed my wife and facilitated the adoptions of my three children. Indirectly, or directly if you consider it, this man has given me the greatest joys of my life, and I cannot express enough how thankful I am to have known him, if only about reading about his life and actions.

 

http://www.josephsmith.lds.org/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=041579179acbff00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD

Entry for August 18, 2007

I found this site through a roundabout way.

http://www.dooce.com/about.html

What always makes me chuckle is how these completely disfunctional people somehow blame the church for their troubles, and never look beyond the fact that they are the ones messing up their lives.

I mean, I loved BYU. I had a great time. Lots of dating, met my wife, lots of education, beautiful scenery. No, I don't have any desire to live there again, but it was great while I was there. Perhaps I had a great time because I don't have a desire to drink, party, etc. If that is what you want to achieve, then that just isn't the place for you.

Last time I was there I sat in one of the buildings and looked up and saw the spot where I first said "I love you" to my then future wife. I remembered all the dates that I took to this building. I remembered all the wonderful things I learned there, how to think critically. Yes, you can do that at BYU. I even became more wary of government, contrary to popular belief.

I guess C. S. Lewis was right. Some will look back on their lives and see all the wonder, and some will look back and curse the day they were born.