An Instrument in the Hands of God
As I was reading in the scripture today, I came across this verse from 2 Nephi 3:
And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren. (2 Nephi 3:24)This entire chapter is filled with prophecies about the Restoration of the Gospel. At this point in the Book of Mormon, Lehi is about to pass away and he is talking with his son Joseph. This is a sad time for all of them. I am sure that Nephi is still struggling with the knowledge that despite their years of travel and sacrifice, that eventually his people will lose the faith and be destroyed. Lehi gives his entire family and his people hope that someday, their posterity will be brought back to a knowledge of the Gospel. They learn that there will be one key person that rises up and will be the main instrument in the hands of God to bring about this restoration. Lehi also prophecies that this person will have the same name as Lehi's son, Joseph.
I can only imagine the feelings that Joseph Smith must have had over 2,000 years later when translating this verse. At this point he was still very new to the whole "prophet" thing. I am sure there were times for Joseph where he wondered if there had been some mistake about his call and especially if he had the faith and ability to do all that would be expected of him. This verse must have been a great strength to him, to realize that there was no mistake, that he was to be the instrument to restore the Gospel, that he would be able to work might wonders and do much good in the sight of God.
As I read this verse, it reaffirms to me the divine calling of Joseph Smith. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do not worship Joseph Smith. But, we love and revere him because we know that he truly is an instrument in the hands of God. I know that he is a prophet, that he had a divine calling to restore the Gospel to the earth in these latter days, and that he was prepared and foreordained to this divine calling.
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