Question
Gramps,
I’m trying to find this quote “if I was to tell you who I was in the preexistence you would call it blasphemous and wish to take away my life” 40 years ago as a missionary we discussed this quotation by Joseph Smith. Can you help?
Jon
Answer
Hello Jon,
Thank you for your question. Also, thank you for serving a mission some 40 years ago. With time, our memories often dull to some degree but I commend you for remembering as much of the quote as you did. The quote you are looking for is repeated in many sources but I will direct you to the Church’s website. On lds.org, in an article entitled: The Greatness of Joseph Smith we find:
Joseph Smith was foreordained to this important calling. He was also somewhat conscious of this foreordination because he once said, “Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life.” (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p. 322.)
I believe this is the quote you are searching for. Good luck in your studies.
Gramps
Question
Gramps,
I have often heard that children who die young will have the chance to be raised by their parents in heaven. Can you give me a resource to research that topic?
Mim
Answer
Hello Mim,
This is a wonderful topic of study. Learning more about this subject has given great comfort to individuals who have lost loved ones, specifically their own young children. The Church’s website has plenty of content related to this subject. I would suggest starting here: The Salvation of Little Children
In that chapter we find the following:
Joseph Smith taught the doctrine that the infant child that was laid away in death would come up in the resurrection as a child; and, pointing to the mother of a lifeless child, he said to her: “You will have the joy, the pleasure, and satisfaction of nurturing this child, after its resurrection, until it reaches the full stature of its spirit.” There is restitution, there is growth, there is development, after the resurrection from death. I love this truth. It speaks volumes of happiness, of joy and gratitude to my soul. Thank the Lord he has revealed these principles to us.
I wish you the best in your studies and commend you for doing your part to learn more:
D&C 130:19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
Gramps
