The Chastening of the Lord

"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:  For whom the Lord  loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."  Proverbs 3:11-12.

This sentiment is echoed in Hebrews 12:5-7.  It says:  "My, son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasetenth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"

Why does the Lord chasten those He loves?  Paul continues in Hebrews 12:9-11 saying:  "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

So the Lord chastens us for our profit, that we may partakers of his holiness.  I like the thought that we are "exercised thereby."  Physical exercise is often hard to do, but through the hard work, we become stronger and make our bodies more healthy.  In the same way, chastisement is like spiritual exercise.  We grow spiritually and become more righteous as we endure it.   In D&C 136:31 the Lord says, "My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom."


Chastisement is necessary to our growth and preparation.  How are we chastened?  The Lord has often chastened his people through afflictions.  It is often through these afflictions that they are humbled and turn again to Him.  He also chastens us through the scriptures.  In 2 Timothy 3:15-16 we learn: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

I like the concept of chastisement being correction, instruction.  The Lord does not want us going astray.  He will correct our paths and instruct us how to do better.  Sometimes this correction can be hard and painful, but we must remember that it comes from a loving Father who loves us enough to correct us and show us the way.  Even in our affliction, we are taught many things that perhaps we could not or would not otherwise.

I have always loved the humility of Joseph Smith.  There are many times in the D&C where the Lord admonishes him for his sins or mistakes.  I have often marveled that even the chosen Prophet of the Lord was at times rebuked and admonished.  In Section 3, the Lord chastises him for the lost 116 pages of manuscript.  In verse 4 it says, "For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him."

The Lord goes on to explain that he was entrusted with great things and should not have feared man more than God.  He continues in verse 9 saying, "Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall."

And then in the following verse, the Lord reveals the purpose of this chastisement, "But remember, God is merciful; therefore repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work."

I love Joseph's humility to write these things that we may all profit from his experience of being chastened.  We learn that the Lord does correct those whom He loves and has chosen and if we repent, we are still chosen and have the opportunity for growth that comes from enduring His chastisement.

I especially love the words of the Lord to Joseph while he was a prisoner in Liberty Jail.  In D&C 122:5-9 the Lord tells Joseph: 

"If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

"If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

"Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

So as we too pass through tribulation or feel the chastening of the Lord, may we also remember that these things will give us experience and be for our good.  We can turn to our Savior, who has endured all things, for comfort and direction.  God will be with us forever and loves us enough to correct us, knowing it is for our profit and our ultimate salvation as we become worthy to return to His presence.  We can be comforted as was Joseph in Liberty Jail, to whom the Lord said, "Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high."