Terryl Givens, former professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, addressed a group of Brigham Young University Students on November 29, 2005, and talked about some of the most significant legacies Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often misnamed the Mormon Church), which have continued to help the church grow and be successful. As I read this talk, several things resonated with me. I would like to discuss a few of these things.

Terryl pointed out that in the past few years, prominent men and women from all over the world have begun to recognize the significance of what Joseph Smith did and the influence his actions continue to have on the world today. What are the things that drew these people towards Joseph? Dr. Kazi Islam said it was “profound love and respect for the ideals” of the tradition Joseph founded; Dr. Jason Lase called Joseph a “modern religious genius” who created “one of the most stable and well-organized religious organizations” he has come across; Arun Joshi claimed that “the message of Joseph Smith is more relevant today than ever before.”

Terryl believes that it is the radical doctrines Joseph taught that resonated with thousands of people in his day, and which continue to resonate with millions of people today, that laid the foundations for the growth and “success” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to experience today and which make the “Mormon Church” a community. “It is the quality of this community,” says Terryl, “Not its rate of increase, that is the more vital fact—and the more enduring mystery—of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

It is important to understand the historical environment into which Mormonism was introduced. Only 12 years before Joseph Smith’s birth, Louis XVI was guillotined and people turned drastically from religion. Historians have recognized this moment as a “banishment of God from the subsequent history of that people . . . [which] precipitated a steep decline in the fortunes of religion in the West generally.” This is evidenced by the fact that only decades after the organization of the “Mormon Church,” Nietzsche claimed that, “God is dead,” which statement was more a reflection on society’s view of God than Nietzsche’s personal religious beliefs.

The Romantics and philosophers of the 1800s pined for a deeper connection to God, but religion had claimed for generations that, like Jonathan Edwards in his famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” proclaimed, God abhorred mankind and would have no compassion on or mercy for the unrepentant individual.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision, however, was an intensely personal interaction with a loving God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ who were answering Joseph’s personal prayer about a very specific question. Later revelation through Joseph further described God as a father who “feels real sorrow, rejoices with real gladness, and weeps real tears.” In addition to the restored knowledge of God’s true character that Joseph Smith presented was the restoration of the truth that God is accessible to each of us on the most intimate level.

Terryl goes on to discuss four truths about human nature that Joseph taught which were (and largely still are) radical: (1) man is eternally existent, (2) man is inherently innocent, (3) man is inherently free, and (4) man is infinitely perfectible. While Terryl talks about each of these more in depth, I want to discuss the implications I feel these truths have.

When I read Joseph Smith’s words about man’s true relationship to God, my heart burns and testifies to me of that truth. I have had several personal spiritual experiences in my life where I felt His love for me and His infinite concern for my happiness—my eternal happiness, not what I think true happiness is. His eternal perspective sees what will bring me lasting, full happiness far better than I can in my day-to-day life. Realizing that I have divine potential, as a literal child of God, brings a much deeper purpose to my life and how I choose to live it, than thinking that my existence ends when I die.

Having a better understanding of my eternal existence and potential also affects how I see my relationships with others. Another incredible truth that Joseph Smith restored is that of eternal relationships. The family is meant to be an eternal unit, and through covenant and obedience, we can enjoy those relationships forever. We are meant to draw close to each other and to depend on each other. Knowing this deeply influences how I interact with other people, no matter their relationship to me (e.g. family, friend, co-worker, acquaintance, or even—perhaps especially—someone I don’t really like very much). The idea of true community requires that I put my own selfish needs and desires aside to serve others with fulness of heart. This is not easy and grates against the natural tendencies of mankind, but when I try my hardest to do it, I feel peace and happiness, so I know it is a true principle.

The gospel that Joseph Smith restored to the earth also gives converts the chance to know for certain, by first exercising faith, that the principles of that gospel are true. Through personal revelation—that intensely intimate communication we as individuals can, and should, have with God, our Heavenly Father—we can each gain a certainty of gospel principles through the testimony of the Holy Ghost. The catch is that we must first exercise faith and obedience.

The burden is placed on us to make a decision, to exercise our eternal free will and choose whether to believe that Jesus is the Christ. Our other choice is to disbelieve that glorious truth, which puts us in a strictly dog-eat-dog world, focusing on accumulating wealth and prestige here and now, because that is all there is. We are presented with two options. There are many evidences that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. However, there is also “evidence” to the contrary. We must choose for ourselves what to believe and how to act.

Terryl recognized that “Joseph Smith ignited something in thousands of men and women that connects them to God and to each other in powerful ways. . . . His message resonated because it was a stirring, compelling, and exciting synthesis that presented a spiritually hungry humankind with a god, like the god of Plato, who ‘was good, and the good can never have any jealousy of anything. And being free from jealousy, he desired that all things should be as like himself as they could be.’ The god of Joseph Smith was not a threat to human potential but a being who gloried in that potential and whose work was to bring it to fruition. That was why Joseph’s message resonated and caught hold like a burning fire.”

I, like millions of other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recognize the truth in Joseph Smith’s teachings, the truths he restored to the earth. I have chosen time and time again to accept these truths and live my life accordingly. In response to these actions, I have received irrefutable spiritual witnesses that these things are true. There is a God. He is my Father, and He loves me. Jesus Christ is His literal son, who took upon Himself the sins and sorrows of the world, atoning for mankind. I can become like God and have a glorious eternal existence, if I do my best to become more like Him now.

http://youtu.be/dZDaHTuKrU8

Additional Resources:

Terryl Givens’ full talk “Lightning Out of Heaven”: Joseph Smith and the Forging of Community

Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration

Request a free copy of The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of 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.

Even though there are dire results prophesied for the wicked, the Lord tells us to “see that ye be not troubled” (JSM 1:23). If we are watching, we can (as the Christians at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem) escape the vengeance that is coming. We simply need to be ready – and we can be. Jesus said “behold, I have told you before” (JSM 1:24) – he has warned us beforehand so that we can prepare ourselves and be ready.

The advice for surviving (physically and spiritually) is the same. Twice, the Lord says that “he that remaineth steadfast, and is not overcome, the same shall be saved” (JSM 1:11, 30). How are the Saints to avoid being overcome? We are to “watch” for the prophesied signs (JSM 1:46), and when we see them to “stand in the holy place” where Zion is gathered (JSM 1:12). We need to listen to the prophets who warn us, and faithfully gather with the saints where we will be safe.

By understanding the similarities between the Meridian of Time and the Last Days, we can be forewarned and prepared for the evils that are coming. We are better able to notice the deceptions and wickedness around us, because we can look at history and see that which was around the Jews and notice the pattern. We can look at the strategies the early Christians used to survive (following their inspired leaders), and do the same to ensure that we too can escape the spiritual and physical danger. Because we know the prophecies, even though we “do not know the hour”, we can still be “ready” for the events prior to the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ (JSM 1:46-47).

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.

Almost since the organization of the Church, exMormons have chosen both paths. Even men who held prominent positions in the Church turned away, often due to trivial occurrences in which they had their feelings hurt. Thomas B. Marsh, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Symonds Ryder are both examples of this. Marsh even signed affidavits swearing falsely that the Mormons were hostile to the state of Missouri, which action was influential in an extermination order being issued from Governor Boggs. This extermination order gave mobs the freedom to drive the Saints out of Missouri. Ryder later led a mob which tarred and feathered Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. Yet another angry dissenter, Philastus Hurlbut (excommunicated for immorality) was the instrument in constructing and compiling scores of affidavits slandering Joseph Smith’s character. Hurlbut’s efforts culminated in the publication of Mormonism Unvailed in 1834, which was full of falsehoods and which still affects the public’s views of Mormonism today.

Joseph identified the motives for people who had once been so close to the Church suddenly turning against it:

There is a superior intelligence bestowed upon such as obey the Gospel with full purpose of heart, which, if sinned against, the apostate is left naked and destitute of the Spirit of God, and he is, in truth, nigh unto cursing, and his end is to be burned. When once that light which was in them is taken from them they become as much darkened as they were previously enlightened, and then, no marvel, if all their power should be enlisted against the truth, and they, Judas-like, seek the destruction of those who were their greatest benefactors (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p321).

In addition:

Renegade ‘Mormon’ dissenters are running through the world and spreading various foul and libelous reports against us, thinking thereby to gain the friendship of the world, because they know that we are not of the world, and that the world hates us; therefore they [the world] make a tool of these fellows [the dissenters]; and by them try to do all the injury they can, and after that they hate them worse than they do us, because they find them to be base traitors and sycophants [flatterers] (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p322).

In the early days of the Church, men often wanted more power in the Church and so turned against Joseph. Power in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, comes from the priesthood, which power comes only through God. Therefore, power cannot be sought after and gained; it is extended through callings from God. Those who seek power will never get it, and that desire will only lead to their destruction. For those who have turned away from the Church, a return is always possible and is always desired by Church leaders. Many who turned against the Church in its early days returned at the end of their lives. Thomas B. Marsh and Oliver Cowdery came back and received full fellowship. Anger on an exMormon’s part only hurts the individual but can be eradicated through repentance. The Savior always welcomes those who return to Him in humility.

There are many reasons why a person may choose to leave the Church, though. And certainly not all of them turn into anti-Mormons eager to bring about the destruction of the Church. Some are excommunicated because of serious sin; some simply lose interest; others may be offended by other members or even leaders; some become disillusioned. Still, any and all who humble themselves and repent are welcome to return and partake in full fellowship once more.

Additional Resources:

Mormon Beliefs

Mormon View of Jesus Christ

The first volume of the Journals contains the first five journals kept by Joseph and his scribes from 1832 to 1839. Stephen Marini, Professor of Religion at Wellesley College, had this to say about this first volume of the Joseph Smith Papers:

Joseph Smith has been one of the least accessible major figures in the history of American religion. The Joseph Smith Papers will forever change that by producing a monumental critical edition of every document written, dictated, or supervised by the Mormon prophet. This first offering, Journals, Volume 1:1832-1839, already gives readers and researchers a fascinating glimpse of a new Joseph Smith. Its five texts depict a gifted young leader struggling to guide his unruly new religious movement on two fronts. As he labored to organize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Kirtland, Ohio, and sought to establish God’s new Zion in hostile Missouri, Smith served as itinerant preacher, fund-raiser, farmer, construction supervisor, disciplinarian, litigant, commander, prisoner, and loyal family member as well as visionary, healer, and revelator. All of these roles come vividly to life in these manuscript journals, meticulously edited according to the highest critical standards. Journals, Volume 1 is a splendid debut for what is certain to become one of the great landmarks in LDS publishing and scholarships.

Journals, Volume 2 was released on November 15, 2011. It covers the life of Joseph Smith from December 1841 to April 1843, which period includes some of the most significant events in the history of the LDS Church, including the founding of the Relief Society, the revelation on baptisms for the dead, the translation and publication of the Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, and even the beginning of the construction of the Nauvoo Temple.

Willard Richards was the principle scribe for this period of time, though other scribes included William Clayton, Eliza R. Snow, and Erastus Derby.

Journals, Volume 2 also includes two appendices which contain selected documents form the Missouri extradition attempt when Joseph Smith was accused of being involved in the assassination attempt of Governor Boggs. Also included are a chronology of events of 1839–1843, geographical and bigographical directoris, maps, charts of church and city officers, and a glossary. There is also a chart cross-referencing revelations published in Joseph’s day with the current Doctrine and Covenants.

Also valuable are the personal, day-to-day duties of Joseph Smith as mayor, store operator, newspaper editor, and general of the Nauvoo Legion, which provide valuable insights into the man’s personality and character.

“The goal of the Joseph Smith Papers Project,” the General Introduction of The Joseph Smith Papers reads, “is to publish every extant document written by Smith or by his scribes in his behalf, as well as other records that were created under his direction or that reflect his personal instruction or involvement” (Bushman and Jessee, Journals 1: xv).  These papers will eventually fill over thirty volumes and are divided into six categories.  One of these categories is called Revelations and Translations and, when published, will include the Book of Mormon manuscript and what is now known as the Doctrine and Covenants among others.  The other five categories are Journals, Documents, History, Legal and Business Records, and Administrative Records.

While the Project is published by The Church Historian’s Press, which is an imprint of the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the General Editors claim that the Project will not be biased.  They say in the Preface that they have “sought to present Smith’s papers as accurately and completely as possible.”  They have therefore “gathered every known Joseph Smith document, verified each transcript at least three times, and provided extensive annotation on the historical context.  The documents shed light on many dimensions of Smith’s life and personality, his strengths and weaknesses, and the successes and failures of the movement he led.”

The Editors continue,

Of the thousands of items in the Joseph Smith papers, his revelations are among the most significant and contested.  According to his own account, the revelations came in a number of forms: visions, inspired words in the voice of God, what he called ‘translations,’ and impressions of the Holy Ghost.  Although the revelations have religious meaning to us as Latter-day Saints, we present them in these volumes without comment on their ultimate source.  In the tradition of documentary editing, our aim is simply to reproduce the documents and their historical setting so far as we can reconstruct it.

To assure balance and rigorous scholarly standards, we have consulted a national advisory board of distinguished scholars.  With their guidance, we have sought to produce volumes on which scholars and Latter-day Saints can rely for accurate information (v).

The Project is further endorsed by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an organization which “promotes the preservation and use of America’s documentary heritage essential to understanding our democracy, history, and culture” (http://www.archives.gov/nhprc/).

The Papers Project will apparently speak for itself.  It will allow a person to study the life and character of Joseph Smith from primary sources.  The Joseph Smith Papers Project, then, is an ideal—and perhaps the ideal—way for one to learn not just about Joseph Smith, but whether the Church he organized “[is] of God” (John 7:17) or otherwise.

Next article in the Joseph Smith Papers series: Journals, Volume 1

The Lord has commanded that Latter-day Saints spread the gospel throughout the world:

And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.  And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them (Doctrine and Covenants 1:4-5).

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;   And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets— The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh— But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;  That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting covenant might be established; That the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers (Doctrine and Covenants 1:18-23).

The Church always respects governments and cultures as it does missionary work:

The Mormon Church always upholds the 12th Article of Faith:

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:  And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned (Isaiah 29:11, 12).

The words were fulfilled before Martin’s eyes, when he took some translated pages to show to several noted linguists.  Later, Martin received a witness from God that Joseph Smith was a true prophet.

Oliver Cowdery is another example.  He became a teacher in Manchester, New York, and caught wind of the excitement illicited by the work of Joseph Smith.  He “began to hear from all quarters concerning the plates, and as soon began to importune Mr. Smith upon the subject, but for a considerable length of time did not succeed in eliciting any information” (History of Joseph Smith, p. 138).  Oliver continued to receive spiritual impressions, and though he still hadn’t met Joseph Smith face to face, felt like he would assist him with writing.  He eventually acted as scribe to Joseph and was party to visions, revelations, and visitations with Joseph Smith.

When the Church was organized in 1830 on April 6th, only six men were present, the minimum number mandated by law to found an organization.  On Sunday, the 11th, Oliver Cowdery delivered the Church’s first public discourse in the Whitmer Family home.  Many people attended, and six were baptized.  A week later, seven more people joined the Church.  Later that month, Joseph Smith went to Colesville, where he held several meetings.  Awhile afterwards, neighbors gathered at the home of Newel Knight, who could not seem to pray and was consumed with guilt, knowing he was possessed by a devil.  Joseph Smith was summoned, and many witnessed Newel’s deliverance, when Joseph used his priesthood power to cast out the evil spirit.  Many who witnessed the event were later baptized into the Church.

In June a church conference was held in Fayette.  Many who were in attendance were investigating the Church.  “Much exhortation and instruction was given, and the Holy Ghost was poured out upon us in a miraculous manner–many of our number prophesied, whilst others had the heavens opened to their view” (History of the Church, 1:84-86).  Twelve people were baptized after the conference.  Late in June, mobs interrupted a baptismal service in Colesville, and Joseph Smith was even arrested, but eventually, thirteen new members joined the Church.

During the summer of 1830 missionary work was instigated in other parts of New York State.  People had shared the gospel with family, friends, and neighbors.  Once the Book of Mormon was printed, public interest increased.  In New York one Book of Mormon changed hands many times and finally ended up in the hands of Brigham Young, who would become the second prophet of the Church and lead the Mormon exodus to Utah.  Early missionary efforts in New York were primarily from the dedicated work of Joseph Smith’s brother, Samuel.  His early missionary efforts resulted in the conversion of some of the most influential leaders of the early Church.  He eventually labored in New England, Ohio, and Missouri.

Parley P. Pratt was a restorationist (Campbellite) under the leadership of Sidney Rigdon.  The Campbellites were among those faiths that believed true ancient religion needed to be restored.  Pratt was a sincerely spiritual man and a preacher.  He received a copy of the Book of Mormon from a Baptist deacon.  Recounted Pratt:

I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.  As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists.  My joy was now full, as it were, and I rejoiced sufficiently to more than pay me for all the sorrows, sacrifices and toils of my life.  I soon determined to see the young man who had been the instrument of its discovery and translation” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 20-22).

The Church was only six months old when Oliver Cowdery was called to preach to the “Lamanites,” the Indians on the U.S. frontier.  After teaching a few Indian tribes, Cowdery and his party met in Ohio with Sidney Rigdon, who had some questions regarding Campbellite doctrine.  Rigdon didn’t immediately join the Church, but he allowed the missionaries to preach to his congregation.  A “large and respectable congregation assembled.”  People thronged the missionaries night and day.  Within three weeks, 127 people were baptized.  The Ohio conversions more than doubled church membership in only three weeks.  Sidney Rigdon visited Joseph Smith in New York and became a powerful leader in the Church.  An accomplished orator, he also served as a scribe for the Prophet.

As the Church grew, the Saints gathered in Ohio.  They had been persecuted every step of the way, but their numbers continued to increase.  Missionaries were sent out repeatedly throughout the Northeast, especially while the Saints centered in Kirtland. Despite harrassment, these early missionaries were remarkably successful.  During the mid-1830’s many church leaders left their families behind to serve numerous individual missions.  Parley P. Pratt preached in Canada, converting future prophet John Taylor.  The Fielding Family also came into the fold.  When rampant monetary speculation in America ended in an economic crash, the “Kirtland Safety Society” also failed.  Since Joseph Smith was involved with the “bank,” many people left the Church.  During this period of grave crisis, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that “something new must be done for the salvation of His Church.”  Just at the moment that some of the most prominent of its leaders were leaving the Church, the Lord commanded Joseph to send his most loyal servants to prostelyte in Europe.  Some modern Mormon scholars consider this ample proof that Joseph Smith worked through revelation when he made his decisions, since this decision seemed like nosense to everyone who was thinking only with logic.  Those who were spiritually in tune heeded the call.

Proselyting missions in Europe, especially in the British Isles, changed the face of the Church and brought in thousands of new converts.  Virtually all of them gathered to the main body of the Church in the U.S. and became the backbone of its membership.  European converts were still gathering when the Saints made the trek to Utah and for years afterwards.  Missionaries were then sent to the South Pacific, where nowadays, the percentage of Mormons in the island populations is extremely high.

Go to the next article in the Missionaries section: Vision Missionary Work.

A 30-volume historical compilation of the origins and growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes casually referred to as the “Mormon Church”), is currently in progress. Elder Marlin K. Jensen, Church Historian and Recorder refers to the Joseph Smith Papers Project “the most important Church history project of this generation”, a project that, once completed, will appear on its own website: www.JosephSmithPapers.org.

Endorsement from National Historical Publications and Records Commission

In 2007, a prominent division of the National Archives, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, gave its endorsement to the project, which is now underway with dozens of scholars and researchers examining a plethora of over 2,000 documents written by Joseph and his scribes, and pertaining to the business transactions, early interactions of Church members, journal accounts, litigation, revelations, and other addenda in Church History.

Dean Jessee, a Church historian and scholar, has made the study of early Mormon history and Joseph’s life his vocation for years, and serves as one of three general editors of the project, with Ronald K. Esplin acting as the managing editor of the project [1].

Writers and researchers will be working together at the Church headquarters; to this point they have been pooled in separate groups at the Joseph Fielding Smith building on the BYU campus and, as well, at the Church offices. [2]

About the Project

Ron Barney, co-editor of one of the volumes, and the spokesman for the project had this to say:

We believe that anybody in the future who writes about Joseph Smith will have to go through The Joseph Smith Papers. Some people in the past have been loosey goosey with what they say about Joseph Smith, but that will no longer fly. They may disagree, but they’ll still have to go through The Joseph Smith Papers.The papers will be published over the next few years by The Church Historian’s Press, created by the LDS Church for the publication of titles relating to Church history and growth. The papers will eventually be made available online. Marlin K. Jensen stated,

This is an invitation for anyone interested in the history of the Church to read the foundational documents related to its beginning and development.

The project has sought approval and scrutiny from outside the Church. Hence, the ratification of The National Historical Publications and Records Commission. A national advisory board, which includes three members who are not LDS, is overseeing the project. Harry S. Stout is one of the board’s members. He remarked,

It means they follow the same documentary editing conventions as other approved projects. That means you don’t substitute words, you don’t paraphrase anything, you don’t delete something if you think it’s embarrassing. They’re following all those conventions and bringing in outsiders as quality checkers.Ron Barney addressed the problem of context. It is often difficult to understand the content of the writings without comprehending the historical and religious context first. Establishing context has made the task laborious and added months, even years to the process. The project actually began in the 1960’s with Dean Jessee’s work. There are now over 40 scholars and editors involved. Funding has come from the Church and from Larry H. Miller, a Utah businessman, who has created an endowment for the project.

Advances in technology have enabled the project to move forward in a vital manner. Imaging and document software make it possible to capture and manipulate texts. High resolution color scans can be enhanced and magnified. Final comparisons of digitally created files to original documents are made with the help of ultraviolet light and microscopes. Scholars examine the results according to the category of the documents (journals, documents, revelations, translations, history, legal, business, and administrative) and the scholars’ field of expertise. Also included among the papers are diaries, outgoing and incoming correspondence, revelations, contemporary reports of discourses, editorials, and notices.  Special annotations are made for notes written in margins or between lines.

The project intends to publish, either in letterpress volumes or electronic form, every extant Joseph Smith document to which its editors can obtain access. Certain routine documents, such as some notes and certificates and some legal or business documents, will be calendared and published in their entirety online with only samples published in the letterpress edition. The Journals Series of The Joseph Smith Papers presents an unaltered and unabridged transcript of each of Smith’s known journals.

Readers wishing to view those elements not reproduced in the letterpress volumes may consult the Joseph Smith Papers (future) website, josephsmithpapers.org. The website will include a detailed “diplomatic” transcript of the journals, including all redactions and other subsequently added elements, along with letter-by-letter presentation of all revisions.

The Church is also in the process of constructing a 230,000 square foot Church History Library east of the Conference Center near Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The new library will be completed by the summer of 2009 and will house approximately 270,000 books, pamphlets, and magazines, and 240,000 original, unpublished records. The library will provide an area open to the public, as well as archival storage rooms and climate-controlled storage vaults.

Note: This article is from MormonWiki.com:The Joseph Smith Papers

Go to the next article in the Joseph Smith Papers section: Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits

Go to the next article in the Legacy section: Witnesses of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Read a conference talk: “The Manuscript Revelation Books.”