The kids are studying the Doctrine and Covenants in the evenings before bed. After five minutes we move to literature.
Pollyanna is the novel of the day.
Last night we read about Joseph Smith Jr.’s repeated, unjust imprisonments.
I was thinking of a friend who was going through some rough stuff and of the world in general so I asked,
Was Joseph Smith a good guy?
“Yes.”
Did he try hard to choose the right?
“Yes.”
But did bad things still happen to him?
“Yes.”
Why did bad things happen? He was a good person trying hard. Did Heavenly Father want to be mean?
Then my kids tickled me pink. The Princess said,
“Heavenly Father did not just want to be mean.”
Why did the bad things happen then?
“Because maybe Joseph Smith needed to learn a lesson.”
Is that the same for us?
Yes.
Then I asked, What about those mobs that were hurting him. Why did Heavenly Father let those mean people do those things? Why didn’t He stop them and protect Joseph?
The Pirate thought and then said,
-drum roll please-
“Heavenly Father didn’t stop them because then that would take their choice. Then if He took their choice He would take their consequences too and they wouldn’t learn.”
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??
Brilliant.
My boy can barely read. He can’t add 7 + 5 and he thinks being creative is playing the Wii.
But I think he’s brilliant.