Peace in Prayer

“Higher, Father!” Mary squealed.

Father laughed and gave the swing another big push. The swing was tied to a large tree that leaned out over the Mississippi River. Mary loved the breeze in her face and the tickle in her tummy as she swung out over the water and back.

“Me next!” Elizabeth said.

Mary hopped off the swing to let her sister have a turn.

Mary’s family lived in Nauvoo. Her parents had joined the Church a few years ago, and they sold all they had to move there to join the other Saints.

Nauvoo was a very busy place. New people arrived every day. Building a new city took hard work, and even the children helped. Helping made Mary feel grown up and important. Sometimes she helped by bringing Father his lunch while he worked on the new temple.

On Sunday, Mary put on her best dress and helped her brothers and sisters get ready for church. Everyone gathered under the trees to listen to the Prophet Joseph Smith teach about Jesus Christ. Mary liked to learn about how they could live with Heavenly Father again someday. The Prophet had seen and heard so many wonderful things.

Other people didn’t like the Prophet, though. Mary had heard stories about people who wanted to hurt him.

One summer night, Mary was helping Mother clean up after supper. Then Father came home. He had tears in his eyes.

“What happened?” Mother asked.

“The Prophet Joseph has been killed,” Father said.

Mother began to cry too. “How can the Church go on without him?” she asked.

Mary felt so sad and scared. She knew the Prophet was God’s chosen servant. How could Heavenly Father let this happen?

She started to cry and ran out of the house to the garden. After falling on her knees near some bushes, Mary started to pray. “Oh, Heavenly Father, what will we do? Our prophet has been killed.” Tears rolled down her face.

Then a gentle voice came to Mary’s mind. I will raise up another prophet to lead my people.

A peaceful, joyful feeling filled her heart. She wiped her eyes and ran back to the house as fast as she could.

“Mother! Father!” Mary said. “I said a prayer, and Heavenly Father answered me.” She told them about the voice and the peaceful feeling she felt.

As Mother and Father hugged her, Mary knew things would be all right. She was still sad, and she knew there would be hard times ahead. But Heavenly Father would continue to guide them and help them.

Illustrations by Kristin Sorra