A Mother's Prayer

 

 

It is my deep conviction that a Mother’s prayers, especially those offered on behalf of her children, go straight through the tunnel and are answered immediately by our Heavenly Father.When Joseph and Hyrum were traveling to Missouri as part of Zion’s Camp they, and many others in the camp, became sick with the dreadful water born illness cholera. They were not even able to stand or sit up in their tent.  Joseph turned to Hyrum at one point and made him swear an oath that if he (Joseph) were to die out here in the wilderness then Hyrum should take his body back to Kirtland and bury it next to his children. Joseph wrote that suddenly, “Hyrum sprung to his feet and exclaimed, Joseph we shall return for I have seen an open vision in which I saw Mother on her knees under an apple tree praying for us and she is even now in tears asking God to spare our lives that she may behold us again in the flesh and the spirit testifies to me that her prayers and ours shall be heard.” I love this story.  I wonder if we would pray much longer and with more devotion if we could somehow know how truly efficacious our prayers are. This painting always brings back memories of driving all around Utah County with my children looking for the perfect apple tree in bloom to photograph. ~Lynde Mott

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