This week, much has been said about those who have died to preserve our freedom. How grateful I am for those courageous men and women who have put their lives on the line to keep me free. I can’t say enough about our fallen heroes, and those who risk their lives every day even now, including firemen, police officers, and all those who endanger themselves so I might enjoy peace of mind.
As I’ve thought about how truly blessed I feel, my mind wandered to those who have given their lives so that we might have religious freedom.
The first, of course, is our Savior Jesus Christ. His was the ultimate sacrifice. He not only willingly gave up His life so that we might conquer the bands of death, but He suffered the deepest emotional pain anyone has ever been called upon to bear. Imagine the guilt you have felt over your sins and times that by every man, woman and accountable child who has ever lived, and you can only begin to imagine what our Savior suffered because of His deep love for us.
Then my thoughts move to the Prophet Joseph Smith, who restored the gospel as taught by Jesus Christ and gave his life at Carthage Jail for his beliefs. He endured a lifetime of taunting and ridicule, persecution at every turn, in addition to losing several of his children to death. Through it all, he remained true to his cause and brought us the Church as we know it today.
Abinadi was a martyr whose story is told in the Book of Mormon. He was called to preach repentance to wicked King Noah, who had taught his people to spend their time in idol worship and revelry with concubines. Abinadi was scourged with faggots (bundled sticks that have been set on fire) until he died, but he never recounted any of his teachings.
Many are the similarities between these three martyrs. Each was accused of blasphemy. Each was persecuted and reviled. Each was brought before an unfair court and sentenced to death for nothing more than having a strong testimony. Interestingly, in each case, those in authority were about to let them go until the crowd rebelled and insisted on the death sentence.
There have been many other martyrs for the cause of religion throughout the years. They are united by their deep belief, their faith in God, and their commitment to their own personal integrity. The vast majority of us will never be asked to give up our lives for our religions, but I do pray that we will have testimonies strong enough that if we ever were faced with that fate, we would be up to the challenge.
Related Blogs:
Joseph Smith: the Prophet of the Restoration
A Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ