A lot of my studies lately have focused on early Church history, in particular the Joseph Smith years. The Church has recently created a new website featuring information and historical data on the Prophet Joseph, and I've really enjoyed reading and learning in greater detail about who he really was and what he was like.
One of my favorite pages on the website is a daily events page, describing events on each day of the year, listing what year the event took place. For example, on March 30, 1844— Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith investigated a robbery of the Keystone Store. [History of the Church, 6:281]
I have been checking this website each day for the last month reading what he did on that particular day. From time to time I will post a Joseph Smith daily event and share my thoughts and ideas on them.
One of my favorite events was March 11, 1843. Joseph Smith traveled with Brigham Young from Nauvoo to Ramus, where with one hand Joseph pulled up the strongest man in the town in a stick-pulling contest. When I read these types of events I feel like it makes him more of a real person rather than a prophet - someone that I can relate to. It's difficult for me to feel a connection with prophets in the Bible or even the Book of Mormon as the stories we read are so specific and are meant to teach us higher things - divine truths and correct principles. Prophets relate God's will to us, His children, and help us to navigate through spiritual darkness and murky waters. Knowing that prophets are mortals like you and me helps me to seek for a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father - to know Him and to feel and understand what my purpose is on earth is something that I value so dearly.
