Joseph and the Chocolate Bar

A few days ago, I was reading a blog post by my friend, a very prolific, funny, middle-aged Mormon man (see his blog here) and the question he posed struck a nerve.  I asked my husband what he thought of it, but it was late, we were both sick, and our brains were fuzzy. 

In his post, my friend noted that Joseph Smith had most likely never tasted chocolate, and then proceeded to tell what he would do if he could have a day with Brother Joseph, and what kind of chocolate he would offer him.  I have thought about similar things before, wondering in the days before my baptism how my hot chocolate habit would seem if seen through Joseph's eyes. 

My life is boring.  I am a bit more straight-laced than I would like, but not nearly as domestic as I want.  Around 9PM most nights, I start whining to my husband that I am sleepy.  I fear Joseph's day with me would consist of baking quickbreads and Christmas cookies, a temple session, a drive in the new car (with Joseph in the passenger seat!), and I would probably be kind and try to set up a ward meeting, or at least a meeting with Bishop Brooks.  Most of all, though, I think I would ask him for a blessing.  I was told once that as a member of the old Kirtland stake, I was specifically chosen by Joseph Smith to accept the restored gospel and join this Church.  In that moment, I felt ashamed that my testimony of Joseph was the very last thing to fall into place before my baptism, and indeed, it took a visit to Kirtland to do so.  As I sat in the school of the Prophets, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, and I was made to know that Joseph Smith was (and is!) the Prophet of the Restoration.

Since then, he has become my hero, and my friend.  I have had dreams of walking and talking with he and Emma, and woken with a better understanding of the doctrine of the Church, and deeper patience with myself.  Most days, I'm not sure why he chose me, but sometimes, especially in the temple, I get a sense of my best self, and realize that she was whom he chose.

As for the chocolate, he would probably point me toward the Word of Wisdom and ask that I rein in my chocaholism a bit.  I think I would make him a hot fudge cake, or take him for a trip to Alliance to meet my best friend Jessy and go to Andrea's for Divine Delight (or, as it's better known, Sex on a Plate)...

If we were in a time crunch, I'd get him a bag of Dove Promises, the dark chocolate ones.  They're awesome.  :)