These Good Things: Know Your Role in the Restoration — D&C 12-17; JSH 1:66-75

I recently walked through a large labyrinth winding in a circular path to the center and then unwinding back to the beginning. Labyrinths are used as a meditative experience, a time for contemplation and prayer. While the center is the same for everyone, the journey of getting there is “intimately and impressively personal” (Heading of D&C 15).

All three of the Whitmer brothers wanted to know their role in the restoration and all three received a personal revelation from Jesus through Joseph Smith. While their purpose, “declare repentance unto this people” was the same, their “how” of doing so was unique. Providing lodging for Joseph and Emma, assisting in the writing, witnessing the plates, becoming zealous friends and assistants in the work were just some of the actions these men took to “bring souls unto me” (D&C 16:8)

I was a different person walking the labyrinth this year. While my purpose in life is to be a faithful woman of God and be an influence of good on others who know me, how I do that evolves with life experience. I continue to walk toward the center, “the tree of life”, but each turn brings new views, new details not seen before, new whispers on how to follow the will of God in a way that is intimately and impressively personal to me.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” (Mark Twain).

“And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father” (D&C 16:6)

If asked, what would you say is your role in the restoration of the church today?