An unintended consequence of studying church history is that it can divert our focus to something other than Jesus Christ. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ focuses squarely on Christ, but we often spend so much time evaluating people and events that we forget the purpose of the restoration. Jesus Christ should be at the center of our lives. Of all the things taught by Joseph Smith, I believe that this is his greatest message:
“The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it. But in connection with these, we believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost, the power of faith, the enjoyment of the spiritual gifts according to the will of God, the restoration of the house of Israel, and the final triumph of truth.”1
Don’t let the weaknesses of imperfect people distract you from Christ
I have loved my study of church history, but there is no question that as we focus on that topic, we read about weak, imperfect people. That can cause us to have questions and concerns, but God has no choice but to work through imperfect people:
“[B]e kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fullness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving.”2
Joseph Smith was not perfect
One of the most remarkable aspects of Joseph Smith’s ministry, at least in my opinion, is the large number of revelations in which the Lord rebuked Joseph Smith, or referred to him as weak. It was Joseph Smith who dictated these revelations, and it was Joseph Smith who chose to published them, perhaps with some personal embarassment. He acknowledged that he had imperfections:
“I was this morning introduced to a man from the east. After hearing my name, he remarked that I was nothing but a man, indicating by this expression, that he had supposed that a person to whom the Lord should see fit to reveal His will, must be something more than a man. He seemed to have forgotten the saying that fell from the lips of St. James, that [Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are, yet he had such power with God, that He, in answer to his prayers, shut the heavens that they gave no rain for the space of three years and six months; and again, in answer to his prayer, the heavens gave forth rain, and the earth gave forth fruit [see James 5:17–18]. Indeed, such is the darkness and ignorance of this generation, that they look upon it as incredible that a man should have any [dealings] with his Maker.”
“When did I ever teach anything wrong from this stand? When was I ever confounded? I want to triumph in Israel before I depart hence and am no more seen. I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught. Must I, then, be thrown away as a thing of naught?”
“Although I do wrong, I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing: the wrong that I do is through the frailty of human nature, like other men. No man lives without fault. Do you think that even Jesus, if He were here, would be without fault in your eyes? His enemies said all manner of evil against Him—they all watched for iniquity in Him.”3
We see in the Bible great prophets who were in need of repentance, and who were themselves rebuked by the Savior (Peter and Paul, for example). Nevertheless, we revere their teachings. Can we not do the same with Joseph Smith? Can we not look past his imperfections, and instead examine his teachings to see what he taught about Jesus Christ?
God can do all things, and he allows imperfect people to lead His church
Despite the weaknesses of imperfect people, God has the power to work through us, to correct mistakes, to put His church on the right course. As a counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf commented:
“[T]o be perfectly frank, there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine. I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure. But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes. In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, ‘And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.’ This is the way it has always been and will be until the perfect day when Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth. It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. But in spite of this, the eternal truth of the restored gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not tarnished, diminished, or destroyed. As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny.”4
We should look to Jesus Christ for healing
The Savior himself associated with sinners. When questioned about that, he said, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”5
Using this analogy, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that we should look to Jesus Christ for healing:
“[P]lease realize that the Church is not a monastery for perfect people, though all of us ought to be striving on the road to godliness. No, at least one aspect of the Church is more like a hospital or an aid station, provided for those who are ill and want to get well, where one can get an infusion of spiritual nutrition and a supply of sustaining water in order to keep on climbing.
“In spite of life’s tribulations and as fearful as some of our prospects are, I testify that there is help for the journey. There is the Bread of Eternal Life and the Well of Living Water. Christ has overcome the world—our world—and His gift to us is peace now and exaltation in the world to come. Our fundamental requirement is to have faith in Him and follow Him—always. When He bids us to walk in His way and by His light, it is because He has walked this way before us, and He has made it safe for our own travel here. He knows where the sharp stones and stumbling blocks lie hidden and where thorns and thistles are the most severe. He knows where the path is perilous, and He knows which way to go when the road forks and nightfall comes. He knows all this, as Alma says in the Book of Mormon, because He has suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind … , that he may know … how to succor his people according to their infirmities.’ To succor means to ‘run to.’ I testify that in my fears and in my infirmities the Savior has surely run to me. I will never be able to thank Him enough for such personal kindness and such loving care.”6
Focus your study on the teachings about Jesus Christ
I believe that an in depth study of Church history is a worthy pursuit. But we cannot allow that to distract us from the study of Jesus Christ. He should be the central figure of our study, the central figure of our worship, the central figure in our lives, and in everything we do we should remember Him. Don’t allow the imperfections and weaknesses of others, even those who profess to follow Him, to distract you from the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.
References
- Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 2011, 49-50, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-joseph-smith/chapter-3?lang=eng; see also Elders’ Journal, July 1838, p. 44, The Joseph Smith Papers, accessed August 12, 2023, https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/elders-journal-july-
1838/12#source-note. - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Beleive,” Ensign, May 2013, 94, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/05/sunday-afternoon-session/lord-i-believe?lang=eng.
- Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 2011, 521-522, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-josephsmith/chapter-45?lang=eng.
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Come, Join with Us,” Ensign, November 2013, 22-23,
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/11/saturdaymorning-session/come-join-with-us?lang=eng. - Matthew 9:12-13.
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things,” Ensign, November 1997, 66, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1997/11/he-hath-filledthe-hungry-with-good-things?lang=eng.