Beyond Disappointment: Zion, Tribulation, and the Anxious Heart

How readily we desire immediate manifestation! How often do we measure faith by the speed of promised blessings? The recent Jackson Howell podcast episode on Doctrine and Covenants 58-59, particularly the account of Joseph Smith and Bishop Partridge’s journey to Independence, Missouri, cuts to the heart of this very impulse. To arrive, having anticipated a thriving community, only to find a nascent settlement struggling to exist—that’s a trial that tests the mettle of any disciple. The sting of unmet expectation is a familiar one, isn’t it?

The podcast rightly highlights the contrast between the energetic, industrious communities of the East and the nascent settlement in Missouri. Imagine the frustration, especially for those like Ezra Booth and Isaac Morley who journeyed on foot, forging a path while others traveled by wagon. Their disappointment wasn't merely about the lack of material comfort; it was a confrontation with a vision deferred. And the Lord, in His wisdom, met their disappointment with a divine reassurance: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God…and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation” (D&C 58:3).

This verse—this promise—is a cornerstone of Latter-day Saint endurance. It’s not a justification for inaction, but a call to *anxious engagement*. We are to pursue the work of Zion with fervor, with sacrifice, with an unwavering commitment. Yet, we must temper our earthly expectations with the knowledge that the path to exaltation is rarely paved with immediate success.

The story of Polly Knight, Joseph Smith’s second mother, is particularly poignant. Her longing to see Zion and her eventual passing shortly after witnessing its beginnings serves as a quiet testament to the enduring power of faith. It reminds us that sometimes, the greatest blessings are experienced in the twilight of a life well-lived, a life dedicated to a good cause.

Section 59 then shifts our focus to the Sabbath day, another area where early Saints struggled to maintain righteousness. The Lord’s awareness of Sabbath-breaking in Missouri underscores the ongoing need for diligent instruction and unwavering commitment to covenants. Maintaining the Sabbath isn’t merely about avoiding labor; it’s about cultivating a spirit of devotion and reverence, a respite from the world’s anxieties.

This isn’t a call to self-flagellation or despair. It’s an invitation to cultivate a perspective that transcends the immediate challenges, to fix our gaze on the ultimate glory that awaits those who persevere. It's a reminder that the iron rod—the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost—is the only sure guide through the wilderness of tribulation. We must actively seek and rely upon that guidance, even when the path is obscured by disappointment and hardship.

Let us, therefore, examine our own hearts. Where are we experiencing disappointment? What “good causes” are we pursuing with anxious engagement? And are we truly relying upon the Spirit to guide us through the inevitable trials that lie ahead?

Consider submitting your reflections on this passage, or on the challenges of maintaining faith in the face of adversity, for consideration in a future Iron Rod post.

May the Lord grant us the strength and wisdom to persevere, to keep our eyes fixed on the promised blessings, and to remain anxiously engaged in His work.