Praise to the Man. In the early days of the Church, Joesph Smith had few friends more faithful than William Wines Phelps. But trouble soon developed, and Phelps turned against the Prophet. After two difficult years, a remorseful Phelps sought reconciliation, writing to Joseph begging for forgiveness. Joseph was quick to reply: Dear Brother Phelps we have suffered much in consequence of your behavior—the cup of gall, already full enough for mortals to drink, was indeed filled to overflowing when you turned against us . . . . However, the cup has been drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. And having been delivered from the hands of wicked men by the mercy of our God, we say it is your privilege to be delivered from the powers of the adversary, be brought into the liberty of God’s dear children, and again take your stand among the Saints of the Most High, and by diligence, humility, and love unfeigned, commend yourself to our God, and your God, and to the Church of Jesus Christ. Believing your confession to be real, and your repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to give you the right hand of fellowship, and rejoice over the returning prodigal. Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first, are friends again at last. Yours as ever, Joseph Smith, Jun Welcomed back into the fold by the man he had once turned against, W.W. Phelps would be selected four years later to preach the funeral sermon for the martyred prophet. He would also pen a tribute to his friend now known as the hymn, Praise to the Man.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 02:21:56 +0000
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