Joseph Smith Helps Us Learn About Jesus Christ

Michael is a BYU student and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes known as the “Mormon Church” by the media). He is currently taking a religion course at Brigham Young, where he is learning about the Joseph Smith-Matthew (JSM) which is the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 23:39–24:51. Below are his thoughts and feelings concerning this book and how it applies to our lives today:

In Joseph Smith – Matthew, Jesus tells of the impending destruction of Jerusalem. He also prophecies of the events preceding the 2nd Coming, using language similar to that he used to describe events of his time. The parallels he draws help us to understand what we need to do to prepare for the 2nd Coming.

There are very specific parallels between the Lord’s day and our own. Jesus Christ highlights these similarities. He says that, “in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets” (JSM 1:22, emphasis added). He mentions that some aspects will specifically be repeated “again”: “because of iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold, …(and) shall the abomination of desolation …be fulfilled” (JSM 1:30, 32). The evils that were the cause of destruction in Christ’s day are the same evils that we face in the Last Days. (more…)

Keith L. Brown is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as the Ward Mission Leader in the Annapolis, Maryland Ward.

In his address in which he refers to the “latitude and longitude” of our position as a Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently referred to by many in the world as the Mormon Church), President J. Reuben Clark stated:

I have set out these matters because they are the latitude and the longitude of the actual location and position of the Church, both in this world and in the eternity. Knowing our true position, we can change our bearings if they need changing; we can lay down anew our true course. And here we may wisely recall that Paul said: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Like sailors upon the sea we are often tossed to and fro by the tempest of our modern world, and like the sailors, we need to know where we are, to take confidence in our knowledge and experience, and to be able to figure out our course to a safe return to the safe harbor of our Father in Heaven.

Abraham O. Woodruff, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also the son of LDS Church President Wilford Woodruff once said:

That which is of man must be modified and changed to meet the demands of various ages in which mankind lives, but that which is of God will endure, as the gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, has endured the scrutiny of critics, the discoveries and the light of science in our day and time. (Conference Report, October 1901, p.53)

In the Bible, in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 3:15-17 we read these words:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

What is this “hope” that is within each of us? I humbly believe that it has something to do with knowing what we believe, why we believe it, and being willing to unashamedly share those beliefs with all who are seeking to know more about our Mormon beliefs. This “hope” that is within us is what encourages and enables us to want to tell people about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism), the “Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ)”, and about God’s chosen Prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel, Joseph Smith. We may not be able to quote Joseph Smith’s history verbatim, but we can testify of that which we know about his history and its importance, and through that testimony plant seeds in the hearts of those who are seekers of knowledge of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, that one day, they too may gain a testimony of its truthfulness.

In 1938, President J. Reuben Clark of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gave a landmark address to the seminary and institute leaders of the Church at that time in which he refers to the “latitude and longitude” of our position as a Church.

The latitude of our position is our knowledge that Jesus Christ IS the Son of God. The Apostle Peter testifies of this fact as recorded in the Bible, in the New Testament, in Matthew 16:13-16 where we read these words:

When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

In the New Testament book of John, in John 6:69, we read the Apostle Peter’s testimony once again as he declares, “And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It is the longitude of our position that I wish to discuss. The longitude of our position is our knowledge that Joseph Smith IS the Prophet of the Restoration. To better understand this position we need to have an understanding of who the man Joseph Smith was.

President Wilford Woodruff once stated: “No greater prophet than Joseph Smith ever lived on the face of the earth save Jesus Christ.” (JUD, 21:317) Elder Bruce R. McConkie, a modern day Apostle of the Church, once stated:

Who will honor the name of Joseph Smith and accept the gospel restored through his instrumentality? We answer: the same people who would have believed the words of the Lord Jesus and the ancient Apostles and prophets had they lived in their day. If you believe the words of Joseph Smith, you would have believed what Jesus and the ancients said. If you reject Joseph Smith and his message, you would have rejected Peter and Paul and their message. (Ensign, November 1981, p.48.)

Joseph’s wife, Emma Hale Smith, had this to say about Joseph concerning the translation of the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ):

I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscripts unless he was inspired. For when [I acted] as his scribe, [Joseph] would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. . .It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this, and for one so. . . .unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible. (Quoted by Mark E. Petersen, Ensign, November 1977, p.12.)

Concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith’s first vision, President Gordon B. Hinckley stated:

To me it is a significant and marvelous thing that in establishing and opening this dispensation our Father did so with a revelation of himself and of his Son Jesus Christ, as if to say, to all the world that he was weary of the attempts of men, earnest though these attempts might have been, to define and describe him. Strange as it seems, we alone, among all the great organizations that worship God, have a true description and a true definition of him. The experience of Joseph Smith in a few moments in the grove on a spring day in 1820, brought more light and knowledge and understanding of the personality and reality and substance of God and his Beloved Son than men had arrived at during centuries of speculation. (Conference Report Apr 1960).

As I close my remarks, may I reaffirm the recent request and reminder of the First Presidency concerning using the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The full name of the Church clearly defines who we are and what we believe. It serves as an invitation for truth-seekers to search further. We are reminded in the “Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ)” in 3 Nephi 22:7-8:

Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

Additional Resources:

The History of the Mormon Church

Basic Mormon Beliefs and Real Mormons

The Bible in Mormonism

Mormons Answer Hard Questions

With that reminder, our message to the world is that we are not members of Joseph Smith’s Church, nor are we members of Mormon‘s Church. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We believe that the church that was established anciently by a man of humble beginnings, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, has been restored to its fullness in modern times through another man of humble beginnings, the Prophet Joseph Smith. That is we believe that a young 14 year old farm boy named Joseph Smith did indeed see and speak with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the Scared Grove in upstate New York in the spring of 1820. We further believe that this same Joseph Smith was indeed called and blessed of the Lord to be the Prophet of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness.

We stand confidently in the knowledge of our situation, our location in terms of the latitude and longitude of our knowledge. We know where we are, where we need to go, and can chart a course to our ultimate destination.

I bear my testimony that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s true Church. I also testify that Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Lord, and our Redeemer, is indeed the Son of the Living God. I further testify that I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and an obedient servant of the Lord. Being called of the Lord as His Prophet, he did indeed bring forth the Restoration of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth in its fullness. I have personally read the Book of Mormon in its entirety nine times thus far, and with each reading I gain a renewed assurance of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the love that the Savior has for me. “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!” (D&C 76:22).

by Melissa

My witness of Joseph Smith is a foundational point in my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the “Mormon Church” by those of other faiths). Though I never met him or spent time with him personally, I have come to know him through studying the history of the church, much as I’ve come to know the Savior through studying the scriptures.

Joseph was a flawed man with a personality all his own. My reverence for him is very real and personal, because his actions have had a great influence on my life, the lives of many close to me, and of many others out there who have in some way been touched by his message. Elder John Taylor summed up the achievements and influence of this man, after witnessing his death, in words far better than I could ever provide in Doctrine and Covenants 135:3:

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

The influential journey of Joseph Smith began when he was just a boy. At fourteen, he was on a spiritual journey to find the truth, much like the spiritual journey we all undertake at some point in our lives. He lived in a time and place of spiritual revival—Palmyra, New York, in the early 1800s. There were many churches and denominations vying for the “final word,” and young Joseph was confused by all the very different interpretations of simple scriptures, all the discord and contention among people with very different opinions. Who was right? How was he to know which denomination to join?

In his study of the Bible, he came across James 1:5–6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” Following the counsel of this verse, Joseph sought out the Lord in prayer, hoping to gain personal revelation and a better understanding as to where he could find the truth. He certainly did not expect to be privy to what followed. We can read in his own words the account of what Latter-day Saints have come to call “The First Vision” in the Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 1:15–17:

After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

In the conversation that followed, Joseph Smith was told to join none of the churches, for none of them were true. Each had portions of truthfulness and strived to draw nearer to God, but they all fell short of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph was left with this witness and was persecuted for sharing it. It wasn’t until years later that further visitations from angels prepared him for a restoration of the truth he had sought as a boy. He was led to another book of scripture which written by the ancient people of the Americas as another testament of Jesus Christ, guided through the translation, and blessed with the restored power of God’s Holy Priesthood in order to bring His Church back to the earth.

I have studied Joseph’s story and the scripture he translated by the power of God—the Book of Mormon—and I have sought out my own personal revelation from my Father in Heaven as to whether or not this story is true. The Holy Spirit has testified to me in my heart, mind, and soul that it is true and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church. Everyone who investigates this church is encouraged to gain a similar witness, as it is one’s personal testimony and conviction that truly determines his or her path and course through life. My witness of Joseph Smith is more than a witness of a flawed boy who was privy to angelic visitations and divine inspiration. It is a witness of God’s love for us, that He will not leave us in darkness, that He will guide us and direct us so long as we seek Him out in faith. Joseph Smith was just a man, but he was a great man who led me to Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, and I am immensely grateful to him for that.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes erroneously called the Mormon Church), I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith Junior saw God and Jesus Christ. I know that he wouldn’t lie.  His own father believed him after he told him he had seen God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ when he humbly prayed for an answer as to which church of his day to join. I know that he learned from the mouth of God that he should join none of the churches in his day.

I know that through him the Book of Mormon was translated from the gold plates that he received from the angel Moroni. I know  the Book of Mormon to be an accurate record of some ancient people who lived on this land and that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and that it was translated correctly through the power of God.

How do I know that Joseph Smith saw God and translated the Book of Mormon? I know, because I have prayed and asked God for myself. I just didn’t casually ask if he had seen and done what he said he had, but I made it a matter of humble and sincere pondering, of reading about Joseph, of praying about it, and being willing to accept any answer from God that I received.

I tell you that as surely as the sun will rise and set that he is a true Prophet of God and that he was raised up by God to do a great work in the latter-days, that of restoring the primitive Church of Jesus Christ.

I think of what he accomplished in his short lifetime, and I know that he couldn’t have done it all by himself. He had the help of heavenly angels, as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. I am truly amazed that God would have chosen a young 14-year-old boy to open up the day that I live in, the Last Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. But he did and I would stand anywhere and testify that Joseph Smith was what he claimed to be, a latter-day prophet of God.

Many Blessings, Mike

Following is a short testament by another great prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley

[Joseph Smith] was a young man, then a poor farm boy with very little education. He had nothing. His parents had nothing. He lived in a rural community, scarcely recognized outside its borders. And yet the angel [Moroni] said to him that ‘he was a messenger sent from the presence of God . . . ; that God had a work for [Joseph] to do; and that [his] name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people’ (Joseph Smith–History 1:33). How could such a thing be? Joseph must have wondered. He must have been absolutely stunned. “And yet it has all come to pass. And far greater will yet come to pass” —Gordon B. Hinckley, “Benediction,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 103).

Of all the numbers in the Pew Research Center’s recently released survey of “Mormons in America,” the highest, most overwhelming numbers are these: 98 percent of respondents said they believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and 97 percent say their church is a Christian religion.

This comes on the heels of earlier surveys indicating that 32 percent of non-LDS U.S. adults say the LDS Church is not a Christian religion, and an additional 17 percent are unsure of LDS Christianity. The theological and semantic reasons for this can be complex, but for the 1,019 self-identified Mormons who participated in the Pew survey, their theological position is clear: Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, and they consider themselves to be Christian.

“Certainly in Latter-day Saint theology is this idea that if you understand who you are, you understand that there’s a purpose in life, you understand your connection to God, that certainly has an impact on how you live your life and what you do, but also how you feel about your life and what you are doing,” said Michael Purdy of the LDS Church Public Affairs office. (more…)

By Amy Choate-Nielsen

Deseret News
Published: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. MST

David Letterman knows how to get a laugh. Like most comics, he riffs on the day’s news, deadpans the camera and revels in audacity.”Oh, did you hear about this?” the host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman asked his audience recently. “A campaign staffer on the Newt Gingrich campaign was fired because he was making negative comments about Mormons. I thought, now, wait a minute — isn’t Newt in favor of multiple wives?”
Laughter rumbled from the audience followed by applause. The polygamy punch line is a familiar one when it comes to poking fun at Mormons — as though Mormons and polygamy are synonymous in mainstream media. Ironically, the practice that’s most linked to Mormons is a practice most Mormons oppose, according to a groundbreaking new study of Mormons in America released Thursday by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and Public Life.

According to the study, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unequivocally reject polygamy — only 2 percent said the practice is morally acceptable — evidence of a yawning gap in what Mormons believe and how they are perceived. Mormons’ opinions are overwhelmingly conservative, the study shows, but in many ways, their views are also surprising — especially when it comes to opinions on moral issues, divorce, homosexuality and polygamy. (more…)

A recent The Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion and Public Life conducted an in-depth survey of Mormons in the United States. Mormon is a nickname sometimes used to describe members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fourth article in a series that appears in Deseret News is evaluating the results of this survey and providing context for the results.

Immigration is a controversial topic in the United States. The survey asked one question on this topic. They were asked which of two statements most closely matched their view, even if they didn’t completely agree. They were asked whether immigrants strengthen or burden the nation. No distinction was made between legal and illegal immigration, leaving those polled to decide for themselves what the question meant.

In the general U.S. population, 45 percent of Americans feel that immigrants strengthen the country, while 44 percent burden it. 12 percent feel that neither or both are true or they have no opinion on the subject. Mormon views closely mirror these statistics. 45 percent of Mormons also believe immigrants strengthen the nation, although a smaller number, 41 percent, consider them a burden on society. The number of Mormons who accept both or neither or who have no opinion is higher, at 14 percent.

These numbers put them at odds with evangelical Christians, one of the few political areas in which they disagree. Within the white evangelical population, 59 percent believe immigrants are a burden, and 27 percent believe they strengthen the country. Like Mormons, 14 percent answered both, neither, or no opinion.

The statistics for Mormons shows a strong divide based on age, income, and education, as well as on religious commitment. Only 36 percent of highly committed Mormons see immigrants as a burden, while 50 percent of those who are less committed see them as a burden. This largely correlates with economic status. 84 percent of Mormons who are highly committed to their religion are college graduates. (The church strongly encourages (more…)

SMITHFIELD — After dinner, three baths, four bedtime stories and a half-a-dozen goodnight kisses for 2-year-old twins Brock and Isaac and 6-year-old Ellie, Erin and Brian Thompson finally sink into the couch with weary smiles.

Being parents is just what they always wanted. And they love it.

“Of course we have our crazy moments,” Thompson says, “but for the most part we just try to find the good things in the day and remember that they’re only going to be little for so long.”

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Thompsons believe that maintaining a strong marriage and raising and teaching children are essential keys to happiness and their most important responsibilities on earth.

In fact, 81 percent of Mormons say being a good parent is “one of the most important things in life,” according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center‘s Forum on Religion & Public Life — the first survey of Mormons about Mormons, by a non-LDS research organization.

The survey of more than 1,000 self-identified Latter-day Saints from across the country asked how accepted Mormons feel in American culture, as well as their thoughts on religious practices, political issues and family roles.

The survey showed that Mormons are more likely to be married than the general population, 67 percent of the sample size compared to 52 percent of the general public. (more…)

As the “Mormon moment” extends into 2012, the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life today released a groundbreaking new survey, the first ever published by a non-LDS research organization to focus exclusively on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their beliefs, values, perceptions and political preferences.

Entitled “Mormons in America: Certain in Their Beliefs, Uncertain of Their Place in Society,” the survey was conducted between Oct. 25 and Nov. 16, 2011 among a national sample of 1,019 respondents who identified themselves as Mormons. The results validate a number of long-held stereotypes (most American Mormons are white, well-educated, politically conservative and religiously observant) while providing a few interesting surprises (care for the poor and needy is high on the list of LDS priorities, while drinking coffee and watching R-rated movies aren’t as taboo among the rank and file as you might think).

“While this survey comes amid a contentious election campaign, it is not solely or even chiefly about politics,” said Luis Lugo, Pew Research Center director, in the published survey’s preface. “Rather, we hope that it will contribute to a broader public understanding of Mormons and Mormonism at a time of great interest in both.”

For example, in one very interesting section of the new survey, respondents were asked several questions about what is essential to being a good Mormon. According to the survey, 80 percent said “believing Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ” is essential to being a good Mormon, 73 percent said “working to help the poor,” 51 percent said “regular Family Home Evenings,” 49 percent said “not drinking coffee and tea” and 32 percent said “not watching R-rated movies. (more…)

What is a prophet?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Mormon Church) teaches that there are living prophets today, just as there were in ancient times. The functions of a prophet have not changed and include many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is to receive revelation from God for the entire world. While most of these revelations are only appreciated by members of the Mormon faith for actually being from God, the prophet still has the responsibility to preach the word of God to the whole world. The living prophet is the only person on the earth who has the authorization to receive revelation for the whole church, as well.

One of the prophet’s most important calls is to testify that Jesus is the Christ and to “make known God’s will and true character. [Prophets] speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit” (True to the Faith, p129–130).

We are very blessed to have a living prophet on the earth today, but having one places more accountability on the rest of us. If we do not heed his words and his warnings, which ultimately come from God, then we will be cut off from God’s presence: “And the arm of the Lord shall be revealed; and the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people” (D&C 1:14).

Despite receiving a calling from God, a prophet is still a man. He is still fallible, he still has his own opinions about things. This can lead to some confusion for outsiders looking in about when a prophet is speaking in his capacity as prophet and when he is speaking as a man. This confusion can be dispelled, however, but looking at the prophet’s actual words. If he is speaking on behalf of the Lord, he will say so. If he does not speak in that capacity, it will be clear.

Joseph Smith as a Prophet

Many critics of Joseph Smith declare that he was either a false prophet or a fallen prophet. Much of the evidence they use to prove their point is records of when Joseph made mistakes or failed financially. These are irrelevant. A brief overview of the Old Testament is full of prophets who felt unworthy or who made mistakes. Moses needed the help of his father-in-law, Jethro, to solve the problem of the people pestering him with their problems. When Moses was called of God, he declared he was slow of speech. When he lacked faith to proceed on his own, though God told Moses He would help him, God gave Moses Aaron as an interpreter. Enoch felt he was too young and slow of speech to be listened to. Jeremiah also felt he was too young to be heeded. Joseph Smith was a young, poorly educated farm boy when he was called. Yet, he remained humble. He was taught by the powers of heaven and there is great power and authority in his words.

Though prophesying of future events is only a small portion of the role of a prophet, looking at Joseph Smith’s prophecies and the fulfillment of them quickly shows he was intelligent beyond his day and beyond his education. Another factor must have been present in his life for him to know the things he knew: he truly was inspired by God.

Below is a list of just a few of the prophecies of Joseph Smith that have been fulfilled. These are things Joseph Smith foresaw which he could have had no knowledge of without divine inspiration. Sure, if somebody makes enough guesses, he is bound to be right sooner or later. Many so-called psychics, astrologers, and self-proclaimed prophets make so many guesses, or are deliberately vague in their predictions, they are bound to hit upon something sometime. A real prophet is different. When a real prophet speaks as the mouthpiece of God, there is no guesswork. Looking at the prophecies Joseph Smith made leaves no room for doubt as to where these prophecies came from. While there are still some of his prophecies which have not been fulfilled, it is certain that they will be fulfilled.

1. Joseph Smith foresaw the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What started as a young church with only six members is now a worldwide church with more than 14 million members. Joseph Smith prophesied that the Mormon Church would grow until it filled the earth and that the gospel would be taken to every nation, tongue, and kindred. This prophecy is continuing to be fulfilled today, but the explosive growth of the Mormon Church (reaching 30,000 members in its first ten years) speaks for itself. Truth resonates with people worldwide, and soon every nation will be open to the gospel.

2. Joseph Smith prophesied that the Civil War would take an unimaginable number of lives, that it would begin in South Carolina, and that slavery would likely play a large role in it. He foresaw these events 20 years before they happened. Looking back, it seems these things are obvious. However, at the time Joseph received this revelation, no one predicted these events.

3. When the Saints were thrust out of Jackson County, Missouri, under the authority of the extermination order issued by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, Joseph Smith prophesied the destruction of that place. He said to General Alexander Doniphan (not a Mormon himself, but a defender of the people): “God’s wrath hangs over Jackson County. God’s people have been ruthlessly driven from it, and you will live to see the day when it will be visited by fire and sword. The Lord of Hosts will sweep it with the besom of destruction. The fields and farms and houses will be destroyed, and only the chimneys will be left to mark the desolation.”

When the Civil War was fought, many of the most costly battles were fought on Missouri soil. General Doniphan personally witnessed the fulfillment of Joseph Smith’s prophecy. Mr. A. Saxey of Utah wrote a letter to Mr. Junius Wells on August 25, 1902, and recorded the sight that lay before him when he visited the area with his regiment:

“In the spring of 1862 my regiment went south, and it was during that time that ‘Order No. 11′ was issued, but I was back there again in 1864, during the Price raid, and saw the condition of the country. The duty of executing the order was committed to Colossians W. R. Penick’s regiment, and there is no doubt but that he carried it into effect, from the howl the copperhead papers made at the time. I went down the Blue river, we found houses, barns, outbuildings, nearly all burned down, and nothing left standing but the chimneys which had, according to the fashion of the time, been built on the outside of the buildings. I remember very well that the country looked a veritable desolation.”

4. Joseph Smith foresaw that the Saints would flourish in the Rocky Mountains. In 1831, Joseph prophesied: “Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed” (Doctrine and Covenants 49:25).  While this prophecy does not specifically mention the Rocky Mountains, a journal entry from B.H. Roberts includes another time Joseph addressed this matter and did specifically mention the Rockies (Comprehensive History of the Church , Vol. 2, Ch. 51, pp.181–182). In this record, Roberts declares that Joseph described the land in great detail and singled out many of the men present telling them they would have unique roles to play in the development of that land.

At the time Joseph made this declaration, the Rocky Mountains were in virtually unknown and unexplored territory. The Mississippi River was the extreme borders of the frontier for the country. In addition, the Saints were fairly happily settled in Illinois at the time, and many of them thought they would be there permanently. Because Joseph was privy to revelation, however, he knew that the temporary peace would end with the Saints yet again being cast out of their homes. It was Brigham Young who eventually led the Saints to the Rockies and helped them settle in what became the state of Utah, but that was not for another 5 years and not until after the murder of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

5. Not long after Joseph Smith prophesied that the Saints would end up in the Rocky Mountains, the persecution with which they had become so familiar threatened them again. Joseph promised his people peace within 5 years. “[Joseph Smith] prophesied that within five years we should be out of the power of our old enemies, whether they were apostates or of the world; and told the brethren to record it, that when it comes to pass they need not say they had forgotten the saying” (History of the Church , Vol. 6, p. 225).  The Saints began gathering in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 and were virtually all gathered by 1849. Though they did suffer persecution there later, it was from different people and for different reasons; thus, they had escaped the power of old enemies.

6. The last prophecy Joseph Smith ever recorded was that of his own death. On Saturday, June 22, 1844, Joseph recorded in his journal: “I told Stephen Markham that if I and Hyrum were ever taken again we should be massacred, or I was not a prophet of God” (History of the Church, Vol. 6, p. 546).

Only a few days later, he and Hyrum turned back from fleeing Nauvoo for their own protection. They gave themselves up to the law for yet more unjust charges which had been brought against them. They were placed in Carthage Jail and on June 27, a mob stormed the jail and killed both Hyrum and Joseph. The other two men in the jail with them survived. Joseph foresaw his death and knew what awaited him, even though he had been promised safety and protection by the highest authorities in the region.

What having living prophet means for us today.

These are just a very small sampling of some of Joseph Smith’s prophecies. He received countless more, many of which are recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants. Many of the prophecies and revelations he received were in the presence of other people. Some of these people later left the Mormon Church, but they never denied their experiences.

There are many ways to prove that Joseph Smith was who he said he was. Looking at all he did and analyzing it with logic can leave no other viable alternative. However, each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must receive a personal testimony that Joseph Smith was called of God. This personal testimony must come through the witness and power of the Holy Ghost. Logic is not enough. One must know in one’s heart that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.

The blessing of having a living prophet on the earth today is important and very comforting. Continuous revelation is important, not because God changes, but because people change and society changes. It is essential to have a prophet telling the world God’s will for them in their own time.