Joseph Smith - The Prophet of the Restoration

A few months ago, before I had the opportunity to go on my church history tour in June, I was discussing my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith with my mom. I have read the Book of Mormon and received the promise given by Moroni. I prayed to know if its contents were true and, through the Holy Ghost, God made it manifest unto me that they were true. My testimony of Joseph Smith just kind of went hand in hand with that. However, it still lacked the conviction that my testimony of the Book of Mormon did. I expressed my concern of that to my mom when the time would come for me to serve a mission. I strongly felt that I needed that conviction to be the successful missionary that I wanted to be. I decided, though, that I would receive that on the tour since I knew I would never be able to deny the spirit in those places I would be visiting, so I pushed my thoughts aside. 

Just minutes later, I was sitting in my room working on one of the preparation assignments we were given for Heritage Tours. The very first question it asked me was, "What is your testimony of Joseph Smith?" Wow...God truly is aware of us. I wrote:

"I am very trusting of every teaching of the gospel, even when I don’t completely understand them. I know that there are holes in my testimony of Joseph Smith, but I believe that he saw God and Jesus and that he really did restore this gospel. I’m just waiting for my personal confirmation of that. Meanwhile, I continue to trust in everything I have been taught about Joseph Smith."

At this point, I only had a belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I couldn't say that I really knew it. The assignment continued by having me read and study scriptures about Joseph Smith:

a.       D&C section 135 – Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were martyred in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. I loved verse 3 when it says, “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.” Even though people like Nephi, Mormon, Moroni, etc. did so much for the salvation of men, Joseph Smith still did more. It’s an amazing thing to think. All that Joseph did was for the world’s salvation.

b.      2 Nephi 3:6-16 -  Joseph, the brother of Nephi, prophecies of the coming of Joseph Smith and all the great things that he will do as prophet, seer, and revelator. How can anyone believe that a prophet or apostle could steer us wrong? The words “I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I have commanded him” are so comforting. It’s a promise that God will never let the prophet steer us astray. When the prophet speaks to us, it is God speaking to us.

c.       Joseph Smith History 1:1-26 – Joseph Smith relates what religions his family is a part of and is struggle to decide which to join. He speaks of his experience with finding the scripture it James and brought him to the grove of trees to pray. He was overcome with the power of the devil that bound his tongue until finally he was delivered and he saw God, the father, and Jesus Christ. God directed him to not join any of the sects for none were true. Joseph told his vision to a preacher and that began his persecution, but Joseph would not deny that he had seen the vision. No matter what persecution and trial we may receive, we cannot possibly deny the testimonies that have burned in our hearts. I personally know that this church is true and I have received personal revelation, something that I cannot deny. While reading these scriptures, I pondered my testimony of Joseph Smith. As I fell upon verse 17, I was overwhelmed with the most amazing feeling, a feeling that I imagine Joseph Smith felt as that light descended upon him. Today, in a most simple way, I have been given a spiritual confirmation from God that Joseph Smith did see him and the Savior. Joseph only ever spoke truths when pertaining to the gospel and I can lean on that truth for the rest of my life.

d.      D&C section 122:1-4 – The words of comfort given to Joseph Smith from the Lord while he is in Liberty Jail. I love that these verses may have originally been meant for the prophet, but pertain to all of us today and that was no accident. At the end of verse 4, God’s promise to stand by us forever and ever is what gets me through every single day of my life. It doesn’t matter how difficult a day is, I feel God’s presence.

e.      D&C 127:2 – Joseph speaks to the saints about his trust in God and his testimony that God has delivered him from trial and will continue to do so. Again, this verse pertains to every now. When we trust in God, he will deliver us from tribulation, because he has promised us this. God is bound when we do what he says. Joseph Smith faced trials that I myself won’t ever have to face, yet he stayed faithful and trusting in God. What excuse could I ever have to not do the same?

f.        D&C 136:37-39 – God speaks to us that we may become pure if we hearken to his words and that Joseph Smith’s death was needful to seal his testimony with his blood and condemn the wicked. God gives us so many promises if we heed his words. His words are not rules and regulations, but guidelines and directions that we eventually set us free. Joseph Smith gave his life for our salvation has Christ did for us. Not many people can say that they did that. The saints in Joseph Smith’s time were asked to give their lives for the gospel, but today we are asked to live our lives for the gospel. I pledge today with my Father, that my life will be lived every day according to his teachings and when I fall, I will stand again. 

a.       Because of Joseph Smith, we know that God is a personal being, that we are his spirit children, that he is a loving Father, and that we can approach him.

b.      Because of Joseph Smith, we know the nature and purpose of our fallen condition.

c.       Because of Joseph Smith, we understand the true nature of the grace of both the Father and the Son and how we may be redeemed from the effects of Adam’s fall.

d.      Because of Joseph Smith, we know that we are members of the house of Israel and heirs to all the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

e.      Because of Joseph Smith, we know that we can, through the atoning blood of the Savior and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, become new creatures in Christ.

f.        Because of Joseph Smith, we know that revelation has not ceased, that the heavens may be opened and the mysteries of God unfolded to our understanding.

g.       Because of Joseph Smith, we know that life did not begin on this earth, that we existed in spirit form for eons, preparing for our experience in mortality and for those estates that follow.

h.      Because of Joseph Smith, we know there is a purpose of life, that God has a plan for our happiness and fulfillment.

i.         Because of Joseph Smith, we enjoy a meaningful understanding of the world to come, the nature of its sociality, glory, and purpose.

j.        Because of Joseph Smith, we know that the power of God has been delegated to men on the earth for the blessings of all humanity.

k.       Because of Joseph Smith, we know that the saving principles of the gospel will be taught to all who died without the opportunity to hear them while in the flesh and that in holy temples the ordinances essential to their salvation can be performed in their behalf.

l.         Because of Joseph Smith and the authority restored to him, we know that the family unit will be preserved throughout the eternities—that love truly becomes eternal and the privileges of fatherhood and motherhood continue through all generations of time.

(Joseph Smith, The Choice Seer, McConkie & Millet, pp. 357-368)

My Testimony

I have never received such a strong and powerful confirmation that something was true. I know that God gave me this witness at a time when I needed it most. It blessed my life in countless ways in the months to follow, even before my tour and it made my experience on the tour even more meaningful. Joseph Smith was and is to this day the Prophet of the Restoration. He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, giving us a witness that they are separate beings and have a body of flesh and bone. Joseph Smith only ever directed the Church through inspiration from God. He translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God and the words in it are true. He gave his whole life to restoring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. He is a prophet called of God. No longer is this a belief, but a truth that I know. I know these things without a doubt in my heart or my mind. I will always stand as another witness that this is the restored Gospel and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, Amen.