Sister Wright Shares Truths We Can Learn from Joseph Smith’s First Vision

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By Mary Richards, Church News

When Joseph Smith retired to a grove of trees to pray, he wanted to obtain forgiveness of his sins, and he had a desire to know which church was right.

After seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith told his mother, “I have learned for myself.”

Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, told BYU–Hawaii students on Tuesday, March 12, that they, too, can learn for themselves.

“The heavens are open to you,” she said. “Study, ponder, pray. Put forth the spiritual work necessary and give place for the Holy Ghost to teach you of Joseph’s divine calling as the Prophet of the Restoration, as well as many other plain and precious truths.”

Sister Wright shared what Church President Russell M. Nelson has taught: “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018 general conference).

Personal Revelation

Sister Wright listed some of the many things that can be learned from Joseph Smith’s First Vision — including how trials can also become marvelous experiences.

During the June 2021 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, President Nelson expounded upon Joseph Smith’s divine tutoring and told new mission leaders: “I plead with you to do the spiritual work necessary to receive such direction and promise you that, as you do, the Lord will shower direction, confidence and peace upon you.”

Sister Wright noted that the Holy Ghost speaks to people in individual, uniquely personal ways in which they can each understand.

For example, while some may feel goosebumps or warmth, an intelligent and academic young adult once told Sister Wright that the Holy Ghost speaks to him in a commonsense, orderly matter-of-fact kind of way. And a 9-year-old child who Sister Wright met in Central America said he felt love, peace and joy while singing Primary songs.

Priesthood Power and Blessings for All

Sister Wright invited the students to study chapter 3 in the General Handbook titled Priesthood Principles. She said as she read this chapter recently, these words came to her: unity and equality.

“Other than the matchless gift of His only Begotten Son, I cannot think of a greater manifestation of the love God has for His children than the incalculable blessings that are available equally to both His daughters and His sons through His holy priesthood,” Sister Wright said.

The priesthood is not men and it is not people, she said; it is the authority and power of God.

Chapter 3.6 of the General Handbook explains that all Church members — women, men and children — who keep their covenants are blessed with God’s priesthood power to strengthen themselves and their families. These covenants are made at baptism and in the temple.

The blessings of priesthood power that all members can receive include:

• Guidance for their lives
• Revelation to know how to fulfill the work they are ordained, set apart or assigned to do.
• Help and strength to become more like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

“Is not this extraordinary,” Sister Wright said. “We receive power from God as we are baptized, confirmed and keep our baptismal covenants. And we receive additional power from God when we are endowed in the house of the Lord. Anything this world could possibly offer us pales drastically in comparison.”

The blessings of the priesthood include:

• Baptism and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• The gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Partaking of the sacrament.
• Authority and power to serve in Church callings and assignments.
• Receiving patriarchal blessings and other priesthood blessings of healing, comfort and guidance.
• Being endowed with God’s power in the temple.
• Being sealed to one’s family members for eternity.
• The promise of eternal life.

Sister Wright testified that God loves His children and wants to bless and exalt them, while the adversary tries to confuse people.

“I worry that we are living far beneath our privileges,” she said, adding, “Like Joseph Smith, come to learn for yourself. Come to know of your divine worth, eternal destiny and the blessings that can be yours through God’s holy priesthood.”

Young Adults Are the Future and ‘the Now’

Sister Wright said not only are young adults the future, they are also “the now.” They are an essential part of the body of Christ and have a vital role to play. They matter and have infinite worth, limitless possibilities and endless potential for good in the world.

She urged them not to give up their sacred work — and told them they are loved, trusted and needed.

“Right now, the service you render, the love you share, the covenants you make and keep, the education you are obtaining, your testimonies of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ that you are strengthening and sharing, your participation in the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil — the very virtue of your lives are influencing and blessing the lives of countless generations.”

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