Today’s Reading: Mosiah 27: 1-16
1 And now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great that the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter…
A “peculiar” people. That’s what we are called. While it might be uncomfortable to stand out in the world, it actually pleases our Heavenly Father to represent Him so faithfully that our light is not diminished in a crowd. This beautiful light is not understood by people who haven’t experienced it, which can lead to beauty becoming the subject of attack.
Over a year ago, Elder Wilford W. Andersen spoke about a medicine man who sought help from a doctor at a hospital. The medicine man asked the doctor if the doctor danced. The doctor replied that he did not dance and asked if the medicine man could teach him. The medicine man replied, “I can teach you to dance but you have to hear the music.” Elder Andersen then taught a beautiful truth, “There are those who ridicule members of the Church for the things we do. That is understandable. Those who dance often appear strange or awkward or, to use a scriptural term, “peculiar” (i) to those who cannot hear the music.” (ii)
While serving on his mission in Jacksonville Florida, my husband recounts having garbage bags full of trash thrown at him and his companion. On another occasion, he and his companion had full cans of beer thrown at their vehicle. Their missionary name tags, which set them apart as bearers of the Lord’s message, made them targets to those who did not understand. Persecution is not limited to missionaries. Anyone with light can be marked, but persecution for Christ’s sake is not all terrible.
One of my favorite examples of someone who was persecuted for righteousness sake is Paul the astonishing apostle. Paul turned from persecutor to testifier in a miraculous moment and then spent the rest of his life teaching about Christ and His gospel. Paul, who was imprisoned for the things he taught, gloried in persecution, saying, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake.” (iii) Paul later suffered martyrdom, sealing his testimony with his life.
Perhaps we should better incorporate Paul’s attitude in our own lives. Maybe, instead of sorrowing that we are the object of man-made opposition, we can love that we are able to do something for Jesus, the purchaser of our souls. While we may experience genuine distress, we incorporate joy in our turbulent experience. Waves rage on but we experience profound peace as the Savior is our focal point. Surely, the Savior is grateful for this type of faith. When we view persecution as us being worthy to stand as a witness for Christ, night turns to day and heartache turns to joy. I do not seek persecution but should it come my way, may I have joy in representing my Jesus.
Jeni Brockbank and her husband Bart are parents to 6 amazing children. She finds great joy in being a wife and mother and feels that both callings are sacred privileges. Jeni is a continual student of the scriptures and loves to share her testimony with anyone who will listen. She teaches choir, is crafty and is grateful on a daily basis to live a few blocks from the Brigham City, UT temple.