LESSON 24 SUMMARY

CHAPTER 24:

Leading in the Lord’s Way

While the prophet Joseph Smith was helping the saints in Kirtland, Ohio, there was a lot of tribulation for the saints in Jackson County, Missouri. Under the Lord’s direction, Joseph organized over 200 men to march from Kirtland to Missouri—Zion’s Camp. Zion’s Camp experienced tremendous hardships along their journey: blistered feet, moldy bread, spoiled butter, maggoty bacon and cheese, and unclean water. Even with all of these trials and some near rebellions, Joseph managed to lead the men to Missouri, and then lead them back to Kirtland—over 900 miles total. Zion’s Camp had troubles and tribulations for 900 miles, but how long are our tribulations we face today? 900 minutes? 900 weeks? 900 months? Cheri Toolson pointed out that not only does it matter how long our trials are, but what we do with those trials while we face them. Many men in Zion’s Camp chose to complain about their hardships, but out of the 200 men that went, all of the 12 apostles and quorum of the 70 were men from Zion’s Camp. Orson Hyde (a member of Zion’s Camp) said of Joseph’s leadership, “[Joseph’s] bosom glowed with love, compassion, and kindness; and with a zeal and fidelity that became a devoted friend in [their] hour of peril, he personally ministered to the sick and dying; and aided in burying the dead. Every act of his during that severe trial gave additional assurances to the camp that with all their faults, he loved them still.” May we follow Joseph’s example and lead our families, children, and neighbors with unconditional love and kindness.

This lesson was taught by Melissa Gulbrandsen

Here is the link to lesson 24 on lds.org