Hell into Heaven

The more I learn about the Prophet Joseph, the more I sense his goodness and strength. Shortly after the dreadful Missouri persecution period, some mobsters threatened that they would drive the Saints down to hell. When the Prophet heard about it, he remarked, “Never mind, brethren, if they do drive us to hell, we’ll turn out the devil and make it heaven.” Joseph wasn’t being just idealistic and optimistic—he had a very acute sense of the reality and the difficulties and terrors that are possible, but he also had a clear perspective of the future and what work with God’s help can accomplish. He saw the future as positive and hopeful. He knew it would take work and faith—Joseph saw possibilities.

This week I stumbled on a play that I had never read before. It was the poet Archibald MacLeish’s J.B. This 1959 Pulitzer Prize play is a modern retelling of the Biblical Job. I have to admit that Job’s story is difficult for me. It’s hard for me to see someone so good (described as “perfect”) suffer so much—he loses everything, and it all seems so meaningless. Yet this same account reminds me again and again, that no matter how forlorn we feel, no matter how much we lose, no matter how terrible our nightmares and difficulties, we really are not alone. The world tries to get us to see how alone we are, how all is lost, but through persevering faith, we will know that God is with us, even if we don’t understand and even if we don’t always feel His presence. Our Father will restore and bless us beyond measure.

This week I also read Joseph Banks’ A Distant Prayer: Miracles of the 49th Mission. Brother Banks is LDS who was a flight engineer in World War II. After 50 missions, flight crews could go home from the war. On Banks’ 49th mission, he is shot down over Germany, and is the only survivor of his crew. He becomes a POW, and this book is about his survival in concentration camps, 600+ mile prison march in winter with only ragged shirt, pants, and shoes, about his escape, and most importantly about his faith and determination to survive.

I read these stories, and I question what power these individuals must have to keep going. But I begin to think of individuals I know who have struggled for years with debilitating illnesses and pain, but they continue day after day. For many of them, others are simply unaware of these heroic but so quiet struggles and even more quiet even imperceptible victories these individuals face alone. In their own agonies, they become and are Saints.

I know we all have our own quiet, difficult struggles. We must continue day after day, even when we question your own strength. We need to remember that there are those who know us and love us, have faith not only in us but in our Heavenly Father. He’ll strengthen us and help us turn our private hells into glorious heavens.