Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional October 20, 2015 Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again Jayson Kunzler Business Management Faculty Member

Brothers and sisters, thank you for being here. I am grateful for the invitation to address you, and pray that the Spirit of God may be present and teach us this afternoon.

In 1984, Elder Bruce R. McConkie described a survey that was given at the Missionary Training Center in Provo.1 The missionaries were asked to evaluate their own testimonies about ten different truths, including:

God is my Father.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

Spencer W. Kimball is a prophet of God today.

And five other doctrinal matters.





I quote what happened next from his biography:

In a very sober tone, Elder McConkie asked: "Would you be interested in knowing which of these [ten] areas was the lowest in terms of testimony?" Everyone nodded. He said: "The lowest area of testimony across elders, sisters, and couples [was]: Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. ...Elder McConkie [then] raised his voice and said: “Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!”2

Brothers and sisters, Elder McConkie is right. If Joseph Smith—and the Restoration of the gospel through him—is not a fundamental part of our testimony, then something is definitely wrong. As President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “we link the names of Jesus Christ and of Joseph Smith.”3 President Brigham Young taught the same principle. He said, "What I have received from the Lord, I have received by Joseph Smith…If I drop him, I must drop these principles…no man on the earth can say that Jesus lives, and deny, at the same time…the Prophet Joseph. This is my testimony."4

We should expect intense opposition to surround Joseph Smith because the experiences of his life represent, in the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley, “the hinge on which turns the gate that leads to salvation and eternal life.”5 After the angel Moroni introduced himself to Joseph Smith, he told him 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.”6

Today, it is obvious that Moroni’s prophecy is fulfilled among the nations; but I invite each of us to sincerely reflect on his prophecy as it relates to our individual hearts. In your own heart, is Joseph Smith’s name had for good—a name of virtue, purity and righteousness? Or, is his name had for evil—a name of a questionable character or wavering inconsistency? Elder McConkie believed that “the measure of a person’s spiritual maturity is found in his or her loyalty to the Prophet Joseph Smith.”7 How loyal are we to him?

We live in a time when the character of Joseph Smith is under attack. The attacks against him come from every quarter—both flagrant attacks from outside the Church, and more subtle and deadly attacks from among some members within.8 President Hinckley taught that now is a “day of fulfillment for [the] prophecy”9 recorded in Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein the Lord tells Joseph Smith that: "The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee; While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand."10

The devil knows that if he can only destroy the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith in our hearts, then we will be barred from the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ. As President Brigham Young testified:

No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, Junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are—I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent. He holds the keys of that kingdom for the last dispensation.11

Today, I would like to mention three things that can help each of us to prepare to know the Prophet Joseph Smith as he really was—and as he really is—that we may gain “entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are.”12

Avoid False Voices

First, beware of the many voices—whether out of the Church or inside it—that humanize Joseph Smith by calling into question any aspect of his character. These voices come from those who “lift up the heel against [the Lord’s] anointed, and cry that [he has] sinned when [he has] not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but [has] done that…which I commanded [him].”13 As the Lord warned, they “cry transgression…because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.”14 President Ezra Taft Benson warned of those who point out alleged weaknesses of prophets like Joseph Smith. He said:

There have been and continue to be attempts to bring [a humanistic] philosophy into our own Church history…We would warn you teachers of this trend, which seems to be an effort to reinterpret the history of the Church so that it is more rationally appealing to the world…Some want to expose the weaknesses of Church leaders in an effort to show that they too are subject to human frailties and error like unto themselves…In view of the covenants taken in holy places, I would not have such temerity.15

Our beloved President Boyd K. Packer, who departed this life just a few months ago, echoed President Benson’s warning. He said, “I have on occasion been disappointed when I have read in writings of those who are supposed to be worthy members of the Church statements that tend to belittle or degrade…past leaders of the Church.”16 President Packer continued, "That historian or scholar who delights in pointing out the weakness and frailties of present or past leaders destroys faith. A destroyer of faith—particularly one within the Church—places himself in great spiritual jeopardy. He is serving the wrong master, and unless he repents, he will not be among the faithful in the eternities."17

These prophetic warnings expose real dangers that lurk around us now. Historical writings about Joseph Smith that are “more rationally appealing to the world”18 fail the Lord’s test as set forth by the prophet Nephi. He said, “Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world.”19

Some readers are attracted to writings that point out some perceived character flaw in the Prophet Joseph Smith because they think it will make them feel better about their own flaws or sins. Brothers and sisters, it is Satan who wants us to feel at ease about our sins; God, on the other hand, wants us to repent of them. Dwelling on the faults of anyone—especially assumed faults of the Lord’s anointed—only leads to destruction. Remember, in the scriptures it is the devil, called a “liar from the beginning,”20 who is described as “the accuser of [the] brethren…which accused them before our God day and night.”21 But Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum “have overcome [their accuser] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death.”22

What many see as wrongdoing in Joseph Smith was actually obedience to God. The Prophet taught that “the devil has great power to deceive; he will so transform things as to make one gape at those who are doing the will of God.”23 If any hope to find a particle of evil in one so pure as Joseph Smith, they will find, as the Lord said, that “their hope shall be blasted, and their prospects shall melt away as the hoar frost melteth before the burning rays of the rising sun.”24 Any evil they think they may find in Joseph Smith—no matter how widely believed—will be a lie, for he was righteous and pure.25 As President John Taylor testified:

I was acquainted with Joseph Smith for years. I traveled with him; I have been with him in public and in private…I was with him when he died…I have seen him under all these various circumstances, and I testify before God, angels, and men that he was a good, honorable, and virtuous man, that his private and public character was irreproachable, and that he lived and died a man of God.26

Joseph Smith declared, “I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent…”27 And he was innocent! “He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people.”28 He said, “…I do not the wrongs that I am charged with doing…Do you think that even Jesus, if He were here, would be without fault in your eyes? His enemies said all manner of evil against Him—they all watched for iniquity in Him.”29

Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ was sinless and perfectly obedient.30 But remember, it was the guilty hypocrites who accused him—even God—of being mad,31 of being gluttonous32 or greedy,33 of being a Sabbath breaker,34 of being austere35 or harsh, of being a winebibber36 or a drunk, or of things that we would call “black magic,” or casting out devils by the power of the prince of devils.37 And above all, they even said that God himself38—“the greatest of all”39—“hath a devil.”40 It is interesting that many of the accusations made against Jesus Christ have been and continue to be made against the Prophet Joseph Smith. Such accusations are evidence that he was more like the Savior than any other person on this earth. Please take a moment to ponder such testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith, given by those who knew him best:

Brigham Young “Who can justly say aught [or anything] against Joseph Smith?41 I was as well acquainted with him, as any man. I do not believe that his father and mother knew him any better than I did. I do not think that a man lives on the earth that knew him any better than I did; and I am bold to say that, Jesus Christ excepted, no better man ever lived or does live upon this earth. I am his witness.”42 John Taylor “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.”43 Boyd K. Packer “…I know that Joseph Smith was a mighty prophet, seer, and revelator. With the exception of Jesus Christ, he is the greatest being who ever walked the face of this earth.”44

Many others have also testified of the greatness of Joseph Smith. Let’s take a moment to watch President Gordon B. Hinckley share his witness of the Prophet:

Though Joseph’s life was taken at an early age, his testimony of the Eternal God and the risen Lord lives on with luster and eloquence. I look to him. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church as it moves forward in fulfilling its eternal destiny. To slightly paraphrase the words of our wonderful hymn:

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood. Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true, he has45 entered God’s kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Such is my solemn and sacred witness to you, my brethren and sisters.46

What President Hinckley revealed about Joseph Smith is most sacred—I hope you felt it. I hope you also noticed that he, as president of the Church, said “I look to [Joseph Smith]. I love him. I seek to follow him. I read his words, and they become the standards to be observed in guiding this great Church.”47

Search the Scriptures

This leads to the second thing we can do to more fully know the Prophet Joseph Smith—to study his words. Joseph Smith’s words are still, and always will be, the standard for guiding the true Church of Christ. The Lord said:

Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.48

The Lord also told Joseph Smith that “this generation shall have my word through you.”49 The word of the Lord—the standard works—have all come to us through Joseph Smith. He gave us the Bible—in particular those plain and precious excerpts in the Joseph Smith Translation; the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift of God; the Pearl of Great Price; and the Doctrine and Covenants. These books “contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel”50 of Jesus Christ, and they are essential for our salvation.51 King Benjamin’s words have special meaning to us today, when he said, “…were it not for these [scriptures], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God…even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should…know nothing concerning these things.”52 53

In writing the scriptures, the ancient prophets had their eyes fixed, not only on Jesus Christ, but also Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith taught that “prophets, priests and kings have…looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day.”54 We can come to see the Prophet Joseph—including his mission and his character—all throughout the scriptures. We can see him extensively in the words of Isaiah;55 in the great King Josiah;56 57 in the “stone…cut out of a mountain without hands”58 prophesied of by Daniel; as the “faithful and wise servant”59 spoken of by Jesus; and as the “choice seer” spoken of by Joseph60 and Lehi.61 We can find him hidden in parables such as the leaven hid in the three measures of meal,62 and the servant who converses with the Lord throughout Zenos’ allegory of the olive tree.63 We can find him with his brother Hyrum as the fellow-servants slain “under the altar that John saw,”64 65 66 and all throughout the Book of Revelation.67

As we humbly search the scriptures, we will come to know both Jesus Christ and his servant, Joseph Smith. In this connection, may I offer a suggestion to all of us? If we truly desire to know the Prophet, we must go to the right source—and that is not a Google search. As President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read.”68 The Lord gave us the key to knowing Joseph Smith when he said, “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom.”69 And what are the best books? They are the scriptures.70 The Savior taught that we “shall know them by their fruits.”71 We will come to know the Prophet by daily partaking of his fruit—the scriptures—more than any other writings.72 73 74

Be Loyal to the Church

The third thing we must do to come to know Joseph Smith is to be loyal to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We cannot know the Savior or Joseph Smith without being one hundred percent loyal to this Church, and to the priesthood keys held by the prophets who now preside over it. Elder Heber C. Kimball prophesied of a time “when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work.”75 I believe that time is at hand. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us a key for navigating such troubled times. He said:

All Saints! Profit by this important Key—that in all your trials, troubles, temptations, afflictions, bonds, imprisonments and death, see to it…that you do not betray Jesus Christ; that you do not betray the brethren; that you do not betray the revelations of God, whether in the Bible, Book of Mormon, or Doctrine and Covenants…Yea, in all your kicking and flounderings, see to it that you do not this thing, lest innocent blood be found upon your skirts, and you go down to hell.76

As President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Our task is to stick with the kingdom, not to let anything or anybody disaffect or sour us toward that great gift which Christ has given us—his church.”77

Who is Joseph Smith?

Today, we have reflected on a few testimonies of and about Joseph Smith. We know he is a mighty prophet. We know that he is a choice seer, and the great revelator and testator. Although we have received so many blessings through him, do we really know him? Do we know how great he really is? He said "…You don’t know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it…I never did harm any man since I was born in the world…I never think any evil,78 nor do anything to the harm of my fellow-man. When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then. I add no more. God bless you all."79

Perhaps we will only fully know the greatness of Joseph Smith after this life. According to those who associated with him, the Prophet said, “Would to God, brethren, I could tell you who I am! Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are men upon this stand who would want to take my life.”80

Such evil men did take the life of Joseph Smith. But, as Brigham Young testified, “though they have killed his body, yet he lives and beholds the face of his Father in Heaven.”81 Today, I believe, and am sure, that Joseph Smith has “triumph[ed] over all his enemies…and the last enemy was death.”82

In Due Time

Brothers and sisters, we have not seen the last of Joseph Smith. He is not merely a prophet of the past. When Joseph and Hyrum were in Carthage, Elder Parley P. Pratt was traveling on his way home to Nauvoo from a mission. In the very hour their innocent blood was being shed, “a strange and solemn awe” came over Elder Pratt, “as if the powers of hell were let loose.”83 When he later heard that Joseph and Hyrum had been killed, he cried out in anguish:

O Lord! In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Thee, show me what these things mean, and what I shall say to Thy people [in Nauvoo]? On a sudden the Spirit of God came upon me…and while the spirit of revelation glowed in my bosom with as visible a warmth and gladness as if it were fire. The Spirit said unto me: “Lift up your head and rejoice; for behold! It is well with my servants Joseph and Hyrum. My servant Joseph still holds the keys of my kingdom in this dispensation, and he shall stand in due time on the earth, in the flesh, and fulfill that to which he is appointed.84

President Brigham Young gave the same witness. He said:

Joseph Smith, Jr. will again be on this earth dictating plans and calling forth his brethren…and he will never cease his operations, under the directions of the Son of God, until the last ones of the children of men are saved that can be, from Adam till now. Should not this thought comfort all people? They will, by-and-by, be a thousand times more thankful for such a man as Joseph Smith, Junior, than it is possible for them to be for any earthly good whatever. It is his mission to see that all the children of men...are saved, that can be, through the redemption.85

Now, brothers and sisters, when compared to these testimonies of the Lord’s prophets, my own testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith may mean very little to you. But, it is everything to me. All spiritual blessings from the Lord have come to me because of Joseph Smith. All of the scriptures, the priesthood, my baptism for the remission of my sins, the Gift of the Holy Ghost which bears a true witness of the Father and the Son to me, the ordinances of the temple which bind my ancestors and my posterity to me and my precious wife—all of these blessings and endless others are given unto me because of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love him. It is because of him that the very blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be fastened and made sure unto us.

I invite all to gain a sound and enduring witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which has come through him. It is my prayer that each of us will reverence the name of Joseph Smith in word and in deed, that in a future day many of us—perhaps millions—“shall know Brother Joseph again.”86 In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

1. See Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son (2003), 304.

2. Ibid., 305. Note: Bruce R. McConkie also said that the survey showed that “the Book of Mormon is the word of God” also ranked at the bottom of the testimony survey, together with “Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.”

3. Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith (2013), 107.

4. Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 345-346.

5. Gordon B. Hinckley, “What Are People Asking about Us?” Ensign, November 1998, 71. Compare with Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 7:16.

6. Joseph Smith—History 1:33.

7. Joseph Fielding McConkie, The Bruce R. McConkie Story: Reflections of a Son (2003), 256. See also Bruce R. McConkie, “Joseph Smith: A Revealer of Christ”, BYU Devotional Address, 3 September 1978, 6.

8. President David O. McKay taught, “The Church is little if at all injured by persecution and calumnies [or false charges] from ignorant, misinformed, or malicious enemies; a greater hindrance to its progress comes from faultfinders…within.” (David O. McKay, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (2003), 45; emphasis added.).

9. Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 510.

10. D&C 122:1-2.

11. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 7:289.

12. Ibid.

13. D&C 121:16.

14. D&C 121:17.

15. Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988), 128-129.

16. Boyd K. Packer, Mine Errand From the Lord (2008), 386.

17. Ibid.

18. Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (1988), 128.

19. 1 Nephi 6:5.

20. D&C 93:25.

21. JST Revelation 12:10.

22. JST Revelation 12:11.

23. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. by Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 227.

24. D&C 121:11.

25. President Joseph F. Smith testified that Joseph and Hyrum Smith were “virtuous and righteous men.” (See Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 537-538.).

26. Quoted in Ezra C. Dalby, “Joseph Smith, Prophet of God,” ms., talk delivered 12 Dec. 1926, Salt Lake City, 13. Also quoted in Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Lengthened Shadow of the Hand of God,” Ensign, May 1987, 54. See also John Taylor, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor (2001), 82-83.

27. D&C 135:4.

28. D&C 135:3; see also 2 Nephi 3:8.

29. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 522.

30. See Hebrews 4:15.

31. See John 10:20.

32. See Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34.

33. See JST John 12:3-8; JST Mark 14:3-10.

34. See John 5:8-18; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 13:10-16.

35. See Luke 19:20-27; Matthew 25:24-30; John 6:59-61; Matthew 15:7-14; Helaman 13:26; Moroni 9:4.

36. See Matthew 11:18-19; Luke 7:33-35.

37. See Matthew 9:34; Mark 3:22.

38. See Mosiah 15:1-2.

39. See D&C 19:18.

40. Mosiah 3:9; John 10:20.

41. President Gordon B. Hinckley similarly asked, “How can anyone, past or present, speak against [Joseph Smith]?” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Praise to the Man,” Ensign, August 1983, 6; see also Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 503.).

42. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 9:332. See also Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 24; also quoted in Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Lengthened Shadow of the Hand of God,” Ensign, May 1987, 53-54.

43. D&C 135:3.

44. Boyd K. Packer, Mine Errand From the Lord (2008), 387.

45. Emphasis added. President Hinckley intentionally changed—or “slightly paraphrased,” as he called it—this phrase from the hymn to reflect past tense instead of future tense. Compare with “Praise to the Man,” Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 27.

46. Gordon B. Hinckley, First Presidency Christmas Devotional, 7 December 2003, Church History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah (used by permission).

47. Ibid.

48. D&C 21:4-5; emphasis added.

49. D&C 5:10.

50. See 1 Nephi 13:24; D&C 27:5; Joseph Smith—History 1:34.

51. The Lord taught that “out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged.” (See 3 Nephi 27:24-26; see also Revelation 20:12 and 2 Nephi 29:11.)

52. Mosiah 1:5.

53. President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught that “the true seed of the Church is found in the revelations which came through a veritable cloud of witnesses to him whom we honor as a revelator, as seer, and as prophet of the Lord Jesus in whose name he served and died.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 506.).

54. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 513.

55. For just one of many examples, see Isaiah 11:1-11; compare with D&C 113:3-6.

56. See 2 Chronicles 34 and 35; Compare 2 Chronicles 35:23 with Joseph’s patriarchal blessing in Genesis 49:23.

57. See entry for “Josiah” in the Bible Dictionary.

58. See Daniel 2:45; compare with D&C 65:2. It is no coincidence that Joseph Smith said of himself, “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and…the Almighty…will give me dominion over all…” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. by Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 304.).

59. See JST Luke 12:48-53 (in JST Appendix); Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:49-50.

60. See JST Genesis 50:26-27 (in JST Appendix).

61. See 2 Nephi 3:6-8.

62. See Matthew 13:33. The Prophet Joseph Smith revealed that the three measures of meal in this parable represent “three witnesses.” Although it has been suggested that these three witnesses were the witnesses of the gold plates (i.e., Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris), the Prophet taught that the three witnesses were actually the scriptures revealed through him (i.e., the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Inspired Version of the Bible). He said, “It may be understood that the Church of the Latter-day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole...For the works of this example, see the Book of Mormon coming forth out of the treasure of the heart. Also the [Doctrine and] Covenants given to the Latter-day Saints, also the translation of the Bible—thus bringing forth out of the heart things new and old, thus answering to three measures of meal undergoing the purifying touch by a revelation of Jesus Christ, and the ministering of angels, who have already commenced this work in the last days, which will answer to the leaven which leavened the whole lump.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2:270, 272.).

63. See Jacob 5:7-76, especially note verses 62-63 and 70-72; compare with D&C 103:21.

64. See Revelation 6:9-11; D&C 135:7. Also note that John the Baptist—who (along with his father Zacharias) was likely the first martyr John saw after the opening of the fifth seal—personally addressed Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery as “my fellow servants” when conferring the Priesthood of Aaron upon them (see D&C 13:1; Joseph Smith—History 1:69).

65. The declaration in D&C 135:7—which identifies Joseph and Hyrum Smith as the fellow servants John saw in vision—is corroborated by an interesting experience of Captain John Lawn, as reported by his son: “My father was one of the guards, placed by Governor Ford, at Carthage Jail, the day before Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred; and heard each of them speak from the stairway to the guard below; and when Hyrum spoke, he told them to take their pencils and note down Revelation, the sixth chapter, from ninth to eleventh verses inclusive; ‘For,’ said he, ‘that is now about to be fulfilled.’…My father made a note of it, at once, and was so much affected by what he had both seen and heard while there, that as soon as he was released from duty that evening, he came home and read those three verses to my mother, and turned the leaf down. The above incident was told me by my mother, some years afterward, as nearly as I can remember, as related by her; and she showed the Bible to me, with the verses marked, and the leaf down. I have this Bible now, just as he left it in 1847, when he died.” (J. H. Lawn, “The Story of My Conversion: How I Heard and Accepted the Latter-day Message”, from Autumn Leaves, 22:61-62; see also Randal A. Wright, The Book of Mormon Miracle: 25 Reasons to Believe, 323.).

66. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “Hyrum Smith became a president of the Church with Joseph Smith, which place Oliver Cowdery might have held had he not wavered and fallen from his exalted station. I am firmly of the opinion that had Oliver Cowdery remained true to his covenants and obligations as a witness with Joseph Smith, and retained his authority and place, he, and not Hyrum Smith, would have gone with Joseph Smith as a prisoner and to martyrdom at Carthage.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation (1954), 1:219.).

67. The following claim Joseph Smith made about the Book of Revelation may be an indication that a substantial part of the book is actually about himself. He said: “Now, I make this declaration, that those things which John saw in heaven had no allusion to anything that had been on the earth previous to that time, because they were the representation of ‘things which must shortly come to pass,’ and not of what has already transpired…The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written. The revelations do not give us to understand anything of the past in relation to the kingdom of God.”

(Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. by Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 290; emphasis added.).

68. Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps”, Ensign, September 1988, 5; emphasis added.

69. D&C 88:118; emphasis added. See also D&C 109:7, 14.

70. See Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps”, Ensign, September 1988, 5.

71. Matthew 7:16; 3 Nephi 14:16.

72. See Bruce R. McConkie, “Joseph Smith: A Revealer of Christ”, BYU Devotional Address, 3 September 1978, 6-7.

73. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “…the Book of Mormon [is] the most correct of any book on earth…and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (See Introduction to the Book of Mormon.).

74. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught, “It makes no difference what is written or what anyone has said, if what has been said is in conflict with what the Lord has revealed, we can set it aside. My words, and the teaching of any other member of the Church, high or low, if they do not square with the revelations, we need not accept them. Let us have this matter clear. We have accepted the four standard works as the measuring yardsticks, or balances, by which we measure every man's doctrine. You cannot accept the books written by the authorities of the Church as standards in doctrine, [except] in so far as they accord with the revealed word in the standard works.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation (1956), 3:203.).

75. Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (1888), 449-450.

76. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. by Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 156.

77. Ezra Taft Benson, “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations”, BYU Devotional Address, 10 December 1974, 4.

78. The prophet’s declaration that he “never thinks any evil” is an indication that he was fully blessed with the gift of charity, which “thinketh no evil” (see 1 Corinthians 13:5; Moroni 7:45; compare with D&C 135:4-5).

79. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 525.

80. Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (1888), 322.

81. Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 346.

82. See Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2011), 212. See also 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.

83. Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (Revised and Enhanced Edition, 2000), 409.

84. Ibid., 414-415.

85. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 7:289-290.

86. See “Praise to the Man,” Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 27.