While living in Nauvoo, a man named Anthony committed a crime.  Joseph Smith wished to extend mercy, but knew justice must be served.  He had a dilemma.  How could both justice and mercy be extended to Anthony?  Joseph’s actions demonstrate how the atonement allows justice and mercy to coexist.  “And thus we see how merciful and just are all the dealings of the Lord”, Alma 50:19

Pictured is the reconstructed home of Joseph and Emma Smith in Harmony, Pennsylvania.

Joseph and Emma Smith moved from Palmyra, New York to Harmony, Pennsylvania to escape persecution. Joseph had been commanded to continue translating the plates, but the tasks of everyday life prevented the work from moving forward.  Joseph asked the Lord to send him a scribe. [Read more…]

The Rockwell and Smith families were close friends while living in Manchester, New York (just outside of Palmyra).  Although he was eight years younger than the Prophet no one loved Joseph Smith more than Orrin Porter Rockwell. [Read more…]

As the storm set in, we feared our trek experience would be ruined.  136 children under the age of 12 were about to have soaked clothes and soaked sleeping bags before taking even one step along the Mormon Trail.  We prayed for a miracle. [Read more…]

Faced with the death penalty for high treason, courageous men debated long before they picked up the quill pen to sign the parchment that declared the independence of the colonies from the mother country on July 4, 1776.  For many hours they had debated in the State House at Philadelphia, with the lower chamber doors locked and a guard posted. [Read more…]