Zion National Park
Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney and Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; . . .
Six months after Freeman and Huldah Nickerson were baptized, they went to Kirtland to visit Joseph Smith to request that he and some other elders come up to their home in Canada to preach the gospel to their family (Joseph Smith Papers, Documents: Volume 3). They were grateful to hear the message and enter into covenants, and they wanted their families to hear experience the same joy. When Joseph, and others agreed to go, several members in Kirtland came with requests that the Prophet stop on his way to visit some of their loved ones as well. This is a common pattern throughout scripture, someone finds the gospel then immediately wishes it for others. This same love was manifested by Joseph while he was on his mission. At the time, he was twenty-seven years old and had two young children at home. A man who joined the Church had recently turned against it, and was stirring up persecution against the members of the Church, in particular Joseph and his family. The city of Zion was being ransacked and the potential trouble was weighing heavily on Joseph. He spent many nights praying for his family and the Saints he loved so much—those back home and the ones he was meeting on his mission. One anxious day, Joseph prayed and was promised in the revelation that all those he loved were in God’s hands. For those he would preach to he was promised words, “in the very moment” he needed them (D&C 100:6). God will fulfill all His promises, we might not know when or how, but blessings will be given at the moment we need them. I pray for my family, I love them so much, and I do see evidences that God is holding them in His hands.
Doctrine and Covenants 100:15
Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, . . .
