42k Joseph Smith, the First Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Was Called of God to Be His Instrument in Bringing About the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church! Part Five

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From the End of This Post!

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TODAY'S THEME



3Nephi 11: 6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:

7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

The Resurrected Jesus Christ Appears to the Nephites of Central America in A.D. 34

8 And it came to pass, as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; and the eyes of the whole multitude were turned upon him, and they durst not open their mouths, even one to another, and wist not what it meant, for they thought it was an angel that had appeared unto them.

9 And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying:

10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.

The Resurrected Jesus Christ speaks to the Nephites: -by John Scott



 12 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words the whole multitude fell to the earth; for they remembered that it had been prophesied among them that Christ should show himself unto them after his ascension into heaven.

13 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto them saying:

14 Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

15 And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.

16 And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying:

17 Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him. (emphasis added)

Now you can enjoy the experience of listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing of things which are mentioned in the Book of Mormon verses you just read. Please listen intently to the words the choir sings! I'm sure you will agree with me that this choir sings with great feeling along with their musical abilities!




Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson

New Testament: John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Who were the other sheep Jesus was referring to as He taught His twelve apostles in Palestine? Some might suggest they were the Gentiles who Peter, later on, was instructed through revelation to teach and baptize. However, from the Book of 3Nephi of the Book of Mormon, we learn what the Resurrected Jesus Christ taught the Nephites in (A.D. 34) who were descended from Israel, regarding His "other sheep." You can read His explanation which is found just after the following painting of Him (Jesus) standing with His Nephite apostles:



The Resurrected Jesus Teaching Nephite Apostles in Central America (A.D. 34)

3Nephi 15:11 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen:

12 Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.

13 And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you.

14 And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem.

15 Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land.

16 This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them:

17 That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

18 And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.

19 But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you.

20 And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them.

21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

22 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.

23 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.

24 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me. (emphasis added)

Now, inasmuch as this is the last post in this relatively short series about Joseph Smith's key role in the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the founding of Jesus' Church in our day, allow yourselves  to be assisted to more fully appreciate how the evidence which has been presented thus far in this post could help you know that all which is recorded in the Book of Mormon is true and inspired guidance for each of us in our day.

Specifically you have just been given very convincing evidence regarding that which Jesus taught His disciples in Palestine during His mortal ministry that the other sheep, includes the Nephites of Ancient Central America who would be gathered after His resurrection.

The Book of Mormon, according to much clear and sure evidence, and by the witness of His spirit to those who humbly and earnestly seek such witness, was dictated word for word by inspiration from God, through Joseph Smith to his scribe! All of those involved with him in any way, even in some cases, just as observers of the translation process of the Book of Mormon, report very emphatically that Joseph Smith never used any books or writings of any kind, including the Bible, as references during that sacred translation.

David Whitmer Interviews (by Daniel Peterson):

I end this final post on the role of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Lord's true church by suggesting you read the following speech given by one of the present day Twelve Apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Elder M. Russell Ballard:

Please note: I give credit to my having read for the third time during the past approximate six months, Richard Lyman Bushman's book: Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling (Vintage Books A Division of Random House, Inc. New York.) for my having gained a more insightful and a more complete view of Joseph Smith's role in the translating and publishing of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

That more insightful and more complete view I've been helped to develop has also assisted me regarding the founding of the Savior's only authorized church of our day and into the future, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all those who worked faithfully and with great sacrifice side by side with him during his lifetime of much sacrifice and many difficulties,

Joseph in Liberty Jail -by Liz Swindle

along with those many others who have continued to lead the Church since then and to this day and into the future. 

From what I've learned from inspired church leaders, qualified and faithful LDS scholars such as Richard L. Bushman, along with the often quiet but sure whisperings of the Holy Spirit, has assisted me to more fully comprehend the key role of Jesus' Church and Kingdom on the earth  in more fully preparing all who are willing to become acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ by the time of the His Second Coming.



The Second Coming -by Harry Anderson

My third reading of Joseph Smith Rough Stone Rolling occurred just during the time I've been producing this five part blog post series on Joseph Smith. Richard Bushman is not responsible for any errors I may have made! His book however helped me to better understand, love and appreciate Joseph Smith and the great and very important work he did in the matter of each of our possible ultimate and eternal  benefit, which was accomplished during dear Joseph's relatively short life span. God bless our memories of what Joseph Smith accomplished under the direct influence of the Father and the Son!

Thank you Brother Joseph!
DISCLAIMER

I must add: If there had not been a Joseph Smith there would be no Mormon Tabernacle Choir with its inspiring performances!

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This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other Blog Post You Desire To Access), After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: Joseph Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church, Part V -Post 42k. When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down In The Index To Your Target Item Or Use the Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).

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Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

____________

I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested in it. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content is translated from the English in this blog:

Neil Birch 

42j Joseph Smith, the First Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Was Called of God to Be His Instrument in Bringing About the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church! Part Four

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From the End of This Post!

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TODAY'S THEME



King Benjamin Preaches To the Nephites -By Gary Kapp

After the next full five paragraphs you will see a chiastic diagram of a key part of the speech delivered by King Benjamin of the Nephite Nation in ancient Central America (in about 124 b.c.) He was addressing all of his people from a tower he had arranged to be erected on the wall of their temple in order that as many as possible could hear his message. They had traveled from near and far.

The occasion was his announcement of his turning over the kingdom to his son, Mosiah. There were so many who had gathered to hear him that he assigned persons to record the speech so that it could be circulated among those that were too far from the tower to hear his voice. That speech was eventually recorded in the Book of Mosiah, one of the sub-books in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Chiasmus is a form of speech that is not used very commonly in our day and not at all in the United States of America nor in many other modern nations. However, many scholars here and abroad know of its existence. Chiasms, however, are found in the Bible. Also there are nations throughout the world in our day who perhaps still use some form of chiastic writing, possibly mostly in their classic literature.

A young LDS missionary, John W. Welch who had attended Brigham Young University before serving an LDS Church mission in the South German Mission, learned about chiasmus by attending a lecture on that subject on what is now called, "preparation day," by LDS missionaries, sometime in the Fall of 1967, along with his missionary companion. The lecture was given by a Catholic minister in Regensburg, Germany where they were serving at the time.

They bought a book afterwards in which evidence was provided showing that chiasms are found in the Bible and were a part of Hebrew speech. Elder Welch began reading  that book with great interest after they had returned to their missionary apartment and continued reading it over a period of time until he had read all of it.

Lying in bed one night after having finished reading the aforementioned book, and while thinking about what he had just learned, a voice spoke into his mind referring to chiasmus:

"If it is evidence of Hebrew style in the Bible, it must be evidence of Hebrew style in the Book of Mormon."

He immediately got out of bed and picked up his German Book of Mormon and began searching for chiasms. After a very diligent search almost into the morning hours he found actual chiasms in the Book of Mormon.

Below I show you a diagram Elder John Welch subsequently made of one of those Book of Mormon chiasms which he found. Each chiasm follows a certain pattern which consists of repeated parallelisms which assist readers and/or listeners to better remember what they have just read or heard:

Mosiah 2: 9-27

           
(a)  Purpose of assembly                v. 9                                  

                 
    (b)  What is man?                           vv. 10 - 11

              
       (c)  Laws of Benjamin's kingdom        vv. 12 - 13
                        
           (d)  Service to
                 "one another"                                vv. 14 -17                              
                             
               (e) Climax - Thank your Heavenly king
                              
           (d') Service                                          v. 21
                 "one with another"

      (c') Laws of God's Kingdom              v. 22


   (b') What is man?                      vv. 23 -26 
           "no more than dust"
        
(a') Purpose of the assembly        v. 27

Next, I give you the actual words of that scripture from the Book of Mormon: Mosiah: 2: 9-27 referred to in the chiastic outline above,  I suggest that you choose one of the letters of the alphabet used in the first half of the chiastic outline in red above, read that verse and then reflect upon it's meaning and then scroll down to the same letter that has an apostrophe ( ' ) added. You will notice the parallelism between the two paragraphs, the one without the apostrophe and the one with an apostrophe. That will help you better remember and understand the meaning of that phrase!

You could then repeat the same process for each of the other letters of the alphabet used for each point made. (In the actual process of reading or listening to a chiasm you wouldn't skip from a given point down to its parallel point, instead, when you reach the parallel point it just reinforces and emphasizes and perhaps, even clarifies the point first made!)

(a)Purpose of Assembly) 9 And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.

(b)What is Man) 10 I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.

11 But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

(c)Laws of Benjamin's Kingdom) 12 I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

13 Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

(d)Service, One Another) 14 And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

15 Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

(e)Climax) 18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?

19 And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—

(d')Service, "one with another") 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

(c')Laws of God's Kingdom) 22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

(b')What is man?) 23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you.

26 And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are; for I am also of the dust. And ye behold that I am old, and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth.

(a')Purpose of the assembly 27 Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me, when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you.

You will notice in the diagram in red, parallelisms between the phrase marked by a given letter such as (a) and then a corresponding phrase in the second half of the chiasm where the (a) is given an apostrophe, such as (a'). That pattern is repeated with each letter and its corresponding phrase from the top half down to the bottom half of the chiasm.

These contrasting parallelisms assisted the ancients of a good number of cultures, while using their own language, to help them more easily comprehend the points being made, thus making it all easier to remember.

This may seem a strange way to assist readers to recall important things (such as the teachings of a caring king (Mosiah) who believes in Christ). However, if we didn't have access to recording  devices or weren't easily able to jot (to make a brief note of) down notes easily, we would often find it difficult to remember such important things as told by a loving and caring leader like King Benjamin to the people of his kingdom. Of course he was having his speech recorded by hand and circulated among a vast throng, but chiasmus was a fixed part of their speaking pattern and surely had been for many centuries and so it naturally was a part of his important speech.

According to John W. Welch of the BYU School of law in (Provo, Utah - U.S.A.) (who was the missionary you were told about above) chiasmus was used both anciently and in today's world especially where people do not have recording devices to help them.

John W. Welch goes into much detail about "chiasmus." I'm sure reading this will clarify this subject to a degree that I am not able to reach:

That article is somewhat long (as is this post) but is very informative.

I'm sure that after reading it you will have learned that the Book of Mormon contains Hebraisms. The Book of Mormon wasn't written by Joseph Smith because he knew nothing of Hebrew.  Not being very educated he wasn't even an expert on the English language let alone Hebrew. His translating of that sacred book was by inspiration from (his and our) Heavenly Father.

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I now invite you to read the following article I obtained from the Thursday, February 24, 2011 Mormon Times article found in that section of the Deseret News published in Salt Lake City, Utah, to which my wife and I subscribe.

Many of the Prophet Joseph's Revelations Were Shared Experiences

I ask each of you a very important question: How could a young and not very well educated Joseph Smith know about Chiasmus? That word isn't even found in many dictionaries today, at least not in those I use. Actually, Joseph Smith didn't know what chiasmus is or even that it was used frequently in the Book of Mormon which he had translated by the power of God! that was true for even the better educated people he came across during his lifetime.

On another matter, while researching for items regarding what I've been writing in this blog post, I came across a number of highly inaccurate and blatantly false articles through Google Search about the origins of the Book of Mormon. I've read many of them before but it bothers me to see falsehoods such as I read just today.  One such is the Spalding theory of how certain people during Joseph Smith's life concocted a false account of the Book of Mormon as its having come from an unpublished manuscript written by a Solomon Spalding.

That has been proven very clearly to be a wrong supposition by many qualified persons whose research is impeccable. The Lord's enemy, Satan, loves to help certain kinds of people drag out falsehoods to try to shake the faith of those who believe in the Lord's work and particularly in His Book of Mormon.

The truth about Chiasmus being a part of the Book of Mormon totally eliminates Spalding's or anyone else's writings as a source of the Book of Mormon, not only by the copius evidence found by researchers who have carefully studied the Spalding manuscript matter, but also because Chiasmus is hardly known even today and is a Hebrew form found both in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon as clearly shown in this post. Chiasms are not found in the Spalding manuscript! There are no Hebraisms in it!

In this post as you must have already clearly realized, I've given you very good evidences that the Book of Mormon is exactly what Joseph Smith, its inspired translator and others closely associated with him during its translation, said it is: a record written in a Hebraic - Egyptian language that Joseph was able to translate only through the power of the Spirit of the Lord. He was given a special gift for doing that.

The Lord first sent the angel Moroni to prepare Joseph Smith for his life-time work for Him, (the Lord), which began with the translation of the Book of Mormon.  I repeat this painting which you have no doubt seen a number of times in my posts.


Joseph Smith Translating the Book of Mormon -By Del Parson

This is a painting of a real happening! (Actually Joseph Smith did not have the plates of gold right in front of him as he translated as shown in this painting.) This was a very significant and true happening which brought about the marvelous Book of Mormon (which contains Hebraisms as you learned above in this post) and that a good number of responsible people testified of its truthfulness such as the three witnesses and the eight witnesses.

The surest way for each of you to know of this book's truthfulness is to follow the counsel of Moroni found at the end of that book. He was still a mortal when he wrote this. Thousands upon thousands have followed this counsel and know of a surety that it is a true book.

Moroni 10: 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

I invite you to experience the following video in which a young non-Mormon man followed Moroni's counsel given just above and very clearly and surely received an answer to his prayer.  It is a very touching and faith promoting account which is well told. You will enjoy hearing this young man's account. Please click on the following:

I end this post very appropriately with an article written by Richard Lloyd Anderson of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute of Religious Scholarship at BYU in Provo, Utah (U.S.A.) regarding one of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. This witness was the only one of the three that never regained his church membership. He is David Whitmer.

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DISCLAIMER
This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

____________
 
TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other Blog Post You Desire To Access), After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: Joseph Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church, Part IV -Post 42j. When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down In The Index To Your Target Item Or Use the Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).

____________


Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.


____________


I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested in it. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content is translated from the English in this blog:

Neil Birch

42i Joseph Smith, the First Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Was Called of God to Be His Instrument in Bringing About the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church! Part Three

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From the End of This Post!

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TODAY'S THEME



Joseph in Liberty Jail -By Liz Lemon Swindle

D. and C. 122: 1 THE ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;

2 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.

3 And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.

4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever.

5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can't you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

Jesus the Christ -by Del Parson

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever. (emphasis added)

I hope that each of you who have read the above scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants did so very carefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully. However, you may want to consider reading it once again. If you decide to do so please ask Heavenly Father to help you to more fully fathom the greatness and goodness of the man, and prophet of God, Joseph Smith, and of course and also, to worship and serve more fully the Lord Jesus Christ whom Joseph Smith and all faithful still living latter-day Saints devotedly serve/d!

As I wrote the above paragraph and the nine verses of scripture above it, I was close to tears. I love and value the Lord's words in that very sacred scripture! He was speaking to a still rather young man (who was not yet 34 years of age) who had placed himself in the Lord Jesus Christ's hands, determining to serve Him with all his heart, might, mind and strength. Despite Joseph's dedication and willingness to serve, he suffered much there in that Liberty Jail.

You will have to agree with me and many others that the name of that jail is quite ironic. It was actually named after the town in which it was located: Liberty, Missouri (U.S.A.)

By the way, I have visited the Joseph Smith Liberty Jail Memorial Building in Liberty, Missouri (U.S.A.) on many occasions during 1973 - 1978. I served as the Agency Director of the Independence Missouri Agency of LDS Family Services about four years of that time. I enjoyed taking visitors from Utah and other states who visited the agency or me personally, to view that very beautiful and sacred memorial building (in which the original small jail has been preserved)!

The Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith -By Tom Lovell

In the previous post in this series on the Prophet Joseph Smith I quoted the following from the words of the Angel, Moroni to the fourteen year old Joseph when he first appeared to him in Joseph's second story bedroom in the Smith Family home near Palmyra, New York (U.S.A.)

Joseph Smith History 1:33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my 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. (emphasis added)

Special note: In a good number of my posts I have referred to how skilled language analysis experts are able to identify whether or not the phrasing of a given document was by the person who recorded it.  I am positive that such experts would tell you that D. and C. 122 does not contain the phrasing and special style of speech used by Joseph Smith. Being a revelation from God it was written in God's phraseology which is found throughout the Book of Doctrine and Covenants and other revelations given through Joseph Smith.

I  want each of you readers to know that I, Neil Birch, have read much good along with much evil that has been written about Joseph Smith and I know by the witness of the Spirit of Discernment (The Gift of the Holy Ghost) that the evil written and spoken about Joseph Smith which is alleged to be the truth, is not that at all!

Now, in the rest of this post and in the following two posts I will present evidence to you that helps prove, along with the Lord's spirit which will whisper the sure truth to your hearts, if you ask humbly for that blessing, that Joseph Smith was the great prophet the leaders, missionaries and other faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints testify he is! (emphasis added)

Before getting into other related matters regarding the great and inspired accomplishments of the Lord's servant, the Prophet Joseph Smith, I give you the opportunity of reading a very pertinent statement from Wilford Woodruff, an apostle during Joseph Smith's time as church president. He later became the fourth prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wilford Woodruff -From LDS Archives

"The Lord told Joseph that He would prove him, whether he would abide in his covenant or not, even unto death. He did prove him; and although (Joseph) had the whole world to contend against and the treachery of false friends to withstand, although his whole life was a scene of trouble and anxiety and care, yet, in all his afflictions, his imprisonments, the sufferings and ill treatment he passed through, he was ever true to his god." (clarification added)

Please open your Book of Mormon and read II Nephi 3:1-25 if you choose to do so. To assist you whether you read those verses or not, I will now summarize my view of what you would have read in them.

Here are, as I see them, the key points Lehi was inspired to make in his blessing of his youngest son, Joseph:

1. Lehi and his family are descendants of the Joseph who was sold into Egypt.

2. The Lord promised Joseph through his father Lehi's blessing that He, the Lord, would appear to his descendants in their promised land (Central America) after His atonement, crucifixion and resurrection.

3. The Lord also promised to raise up a choice seer to help Lehi's descendants in the latter-days. (in our day)

4. That seer would only do the work the Lord gave him to do.

5. That seer would, like Moses, deliver his people, Israel, from bondage.

6. That seer would bring forth the Lord's word, the Book of Mormon which was to confirm the truths contained in an earlier book of scriptures, the Bible.

7. In the blessing he was giving his youngest son Joseph, Lehi told him that religious confusion would be stopped among his descendants in the last days (our days) when those two books of scripture would be used together. In the following quote from the Book of Mormon Father Lehi refers to that Latter-day Seer, who is Joseph Smith:

II Nephi 3:13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

14 And thus prophesied Joseph (who was sold into Egypt), saying: Behold, that seer will the Lord bless; and they that seek to destroy him shall be confounded; for this promise, which I have obtained of the Lord, of the fruit of my loins, shall be fulfilled. Behold, I am sure of the fulfilling of this promise;

15 And his name (Joseph) shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation.

16 Yea, thus prophesied Joseph (who was sold into Egypt): I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever.(clarification and emphasis added)

8. The Lord, through Father Lehi's prophetic blessing, told Joseph, the son of Lehi, that the efforts of others to destroy that seer (Joseph Smith) would be prevented until that seer had finished his work!

9. The work done by this promised seer would bring salvation to this Joseph's (Lehi's son, Joseph)  descendants (we call them Lamanites, American Indians and by other categories of modern-day people who are descendants of Father Lehi).

10. The work done by this promised seer will bring salvation to this ancient Joseph's (who was sold into Egypt) descendants, and eventually facilitate the gathering of all Israel.

11. The Lord, through Father Lehi's prophetic blessing, promised Lehi,'s son, Joseph, that his posterity would last forever (echoing the promise given to his namesake ancestor Joseph, who was sold into Egypt.)

12. The Latter-day descendants of this Joseph, the youngest son of Father Lehi, were to hear words of salvation which were to "cry from the dust" in the latter-days. The record contained on the golden plates (which were dug out of the dust of the earth, where they had been buried for many centuries) was named, The Book of Mormon which was translated through the power of God by Joseph Smith).

According to that which the Lord told Joseph who had been sold into Egypt, this mighty Latter-day seer who was also named, Joseph, was to become an instrument in the hands of God in bringing about much restoration of Gospel Truths to the House of Israel in our time, which along with the Book of Mormon, also includes the Books of Moses and Abraham in the first half of the Nineteenth Century).

I will continue this Joseph Smith Series of posts in a fourth and most likely, in a fifth post of this series. They will respectively be published on March 1, (Post 42j) and on March 8th, (Post 42k)

I end this post on a somewhat personal note: Through a painting of one of my wife, Melva's direct female ancestors, I provide you one example of the powerful influence the The Lord Jesus Christ's Latter-day Church can have on the family, which is surely the most important unit of consequence to each of us. I have also included a very touching video that tells of an important historical event concerning those other LDS Pioneers in the handcart company my wife's great, great grandmother was with when she died.

Mary Murray Murdoch (known by those who trekked with her towards Zion (Salt Lake City, Utah - U.S.A.) as "Wee Granny.") was a very dedicated Latter-day Saint. She was four feet seven inches tall and weighed about ninety pounds.

Mary and her husband James were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their native Scotland by missionaries who were sent by the Prophet Joseph Smith and/or by apostles who served with him.  They had not become Latter-day Saints until after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph.

James Murdoch died in Scotland as he heroically attempted to rescue a fellow miner who had become a victim of poisonous air in a mine shaft near where James had been working. Otherwise James and Mary would have surely immigrated to The United States of America together.

As you soon learn about "Wee Granny's" death, you along with the rest of us will have received very strong evidence  that she and her husband who died before her, were fully committed to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Lord's authorized church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which restoration was brought about in great measure through the instrumentality of the Lord's chosen prophet, Joseph Smith. Many, if not most, of James and Mary's descendants share in their commitment!

Wee Granny knew that even in death (at age seventy three) she and her already deceased husband James would be eternally sealed (united) as man and wife and as parents of all of their eight children and would continue to enjoy together this eternal bond even after death!

By the way, Mary was a member of the Willey and Martin Handcart companies which met with a very unexpected tragic disaster later on in Wyoming not long after Mary (known best as Wee Granny) had died. However, the Lord brought about the rescue of a good number of them through the inspired efforts of men who were sent by the inspired Brigham Young (who had been prepared by the Lord through the agency of Joseph Smith to replace him as prophet). 



Brigham Young -From Church Archives



These rescuers, in a number of cases, were guided by direct revelation given to them personally by the Holy Spirit, arriving in the "nick of time" to rescue those who could be rescued.

You will be touched by this fairly recent and very inspiring and touching video about this rescue by Emily Pugmire.

Both John and Mary Murdoch who are now together in the after-life which we will all experience when we die, are surely filled with eternal gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ and his servants which include Joseph Smith and the leaders of the church who served with him and those missionaries who taught James and Mary the Gospel of Jesus Christ, thus opening the doors to Eternal Salvation to them.


Quoting from the video you have just viewed: Above All the Rest This Tale We'll Tell! All is Well! All is Well!

Here is a photo of a parish where important family events took place. (This photo taken in 1975 by Jesse N. Smith

(A Footnote): Melva and I have this large (24 inch by 18 inch / 60.96 centimeters by 45.72 centimeters) painting shown next, hanging on a living room wall not very far from the front door of our home, where visitors can easily see it.  (it was one of about 300 produced by the artist, Clark Kelly Price)



"Tell John I Died With My Face Toward Zion" -By Clark Kelly Price

 

Wee Granny (Mary Murray Murdoch) died (October 18, 1856) on the Mormon Trail not far (Southeast) from where Bridgeport, Nebraska is now located. She died in full view of the Chimney Rock Natural Monument which has the appearance of a chimney sticking out of the large hill on which it stands as shown in the painting, and also in the left background of the photo below.

Wee Granny's grave was unmarked, but about fifteen years ago Melva and I along with her two sons and their families and with many extended family members, from many locations, attended a grave dedication for Mary Murray Murdoch at a small cemetery located within about a half a mile due west of a state of Nebraska Visitors' Center. Mary and those with her, had been approaching Chimney Rock as they trekked along the Mormon Trail on their way toward the Mormon settlement in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah (U.S.A.) when she died.

Descendant Janett mcBride sits at monument placed in honor of Mary Murdoch "Wee Granny" who died about ten miles east of Chimney Rock in 1856

Wee Granny's son, John was already in what is now the State of Utah, working as a sheep herder for Brigham Young, the LDS prophet who began leading the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints soon after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

My wife Melva, grew up in Heber City, Utah and there learned of her great great grandmother who had followed the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith in doing what she knew the Lord Jesus Christ expected of her.

This heritage of faith and courage was passed on down to all of Wee Granny's and her husband James' descendants including my wife Melva and hopefully to all of her descendants also. Thank you, Joseph Smith for doing all that you did to bless yet untold generations of Latter-day Saints to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ's Second Coming! This giving of thanks includes me, Neil Birch and many of the readers of this Blog post series.

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DISCLAIMER
This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other Blog Post You Desire To Access), After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: Joseph Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church, Part III -Post 42i. When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down In The Index To Your Target Item Or Use the Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).

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Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

____________

I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested in it. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content is translated from the English in this blog:

Neil Birch

42h Joseph Smith, the First Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Was Called of God to Be His Instrument in Bringing About the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church! Part Two

To Access This Blog's Index, Please Scroll Down To the Fifth Paragraph From the End of This Post!

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TODAY'S THEME

The Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith, 9/21/1823 -by Tom Lovell 2003

Among many other preparatory matters the Angel Moroni told seventeen year old Joseph Smith in his second story bedroom, he told him:

Joseph Smith History 1:33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my 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. (emphasis added)

This visit was the second occasion on which young Joseph was visited by heavenly beings. The first occurred "on the morning of a beautiful clear day early in the spring of 1820 when God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in a grove of trees located not very far from his family's home where Moroni eventually visited him! It was there in that sacred grove that this young boy was told that he was to join none of the churches who were vying for his membership, telling him they were all wrong!

The First Vision -By Gary Kapp

For the purpose of this post of mine I emphasized above these words that the Angel Moroni spoke to Joseph Smith: 

and that my 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.(emphasis added)

If any of you readers have not heard and read both good and evil spoken or written about the Prophet Joseph Smith, I would have to believe that you have purposely avoided reading or listening to anything at all about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church which was founded through Joseph Smith.

The founding of that church was accomplished by Joseph on assignment from Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Angel Moroni, along with the now immortal John the Baptist, and Jesus' chief apostles, Peter, James and John, were the key facilitators of the most crucial parts of God's plans for preparing mankind for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That assistance from those immortal beings helped bring about the translation and publishing of the Book of Mormon and the restoration to mortals of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, the authority to act in God's name!

God's plan, as explained to young Joseph Smith by the angel Moroni, was for Joseph and those who were called to work with him, to work together to prepare all who would believe in the restored Gospel sufficiently to enable them to choose to live their lives as faithful members of God's church so they could become recipients of Eternal Life (The greatest of gifts that can be given mankind!)

And then on the other side of the matter, you could have learned of the many things said and written by many people from all over the world against the prophet Joseph Smith, those who allege that he was an evil man who founded an evil church! I know personally that those people have chosen not to really learn the truth about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ through his humble prophet, Joseph Smith.

I was privileged to serve as a young LDS missionary for two and a half years in the far-away nation of Finland (Suomi). Then not many years ago (2004 - 2006) my wife and I served there as a senior missionary couple. The Lord blessed me with the ability to learn and to love their very difficult language.

During both missions I found much was said about the church that was not true, but there were many there who saw the truth that the Lord's Gospel has been restored to earth through His Latter-day prophet, Joseph Smith. There are now many faithful members of the Church in that wonderful far-away land. I know personally our active-in-the-church members there are very special people. And I know that is true in very many nations throughout the world today.

Now I show you a painting of female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who in the Spring of 1842 were listening to Joseph Smith as he spoke inspired words of instruction to them while organizing the Relief Society of the Church in Nauvoo, Illinois (U.S.A.). These sisters, as did many other members of the Church on many other occasions, enjoyed greatly hearing this still young prophet (he died at age 43) as he taught them about the Lord's great Latter-day Work and about their very important role in it!

"Come Let Us Rejoice" By Walter Rane- Courtesy of Church History Museum

Now I treat you to the choice experience of reading the words of persons who knew Joseph Smith very well and were among those who cherished their experience of knowing him and what he taught, and spoke; not evil, but much good about the first Prophet of God of their time as members (all except one of these persons I will quote below were members) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of the desires of the early Latter-day Saints was simply to be allowed to live their religion in peace. But wherever they moved, peace eluded them. In 1833, just two years after the dedication of a place of gathering in Missouri, mobs forced the Saints to leave Jackson County, Missouri. Church members found temporary refuge in Clay County, Missouri, and then, in 1836, began moving into northern Missouri. Most of them settled in Caldwell County, a new county organized by the state legislature to accommodate the Latter-day Saints. Far West, which served as the county seat, soon became a thriving Latter-day Saint settlement.

The Prophet Joseph Smith had continued to live in Kirtland, Ohio, but in January 1838, he was forced to leave, fearing for his life. With his family, he traveled the 900 miles to Far West, where he joined the Saints living there. Later in 1838, most of the Kirtland Saints sold or abandoned their homes and followed the Prophet to Missouri. To accommodate the Church members pouring into the area, the Prophet designated areas near Far West where the Saints could settle. In July 1838, cornerstones were dedicated for a temple in Far West, giving the Saints hope that they could establish a permanent settlement where they could enjoy prosperity and peace. Unfortunately, tensions similar to those they experienced in Jackson County soon divided them from local settlers, and in the fall of 1838, mobs and militia once again began to harass and attack Latter-day Saints.

One day the Prophet was visiting his parents’ home in Far West, Missouri when a group of armed militiamen came in and announced that they had come to kill him for a supposed crime.

Lucy Mack Smith, Mother of Joseph Smith -Painting: Sudcliff Maudsley

Lucy Mack Smith, the Prophet’s mother, described her son Joseph's gift for peacemaking:

“[Joseph] looked upon them with a very pleasant smile and, stepping up to them, gave each of them his hand in a manner which convinced them that he was neither a guilty criminal nor yet a cowering hypocrite. They stopped and stared as though a spectre had crossed their path. “Joseph sat down and entered into conversation with them and explained to them the views and feelings of the people called Mormons and what their course had been, as also the treatment which they had met with from their enemies since the first outset of the Church. He told them that malice and detraction had pursued them ever since they entered Missouri, but they were a people who had never broken the laws to his knowledge. But if they had, they stood ready to be tried by the law. …

“After this, he rose and said, ‘Mother, I believe I will go home. Emma will be expecting me.’ Two of the men sprang to their feet, saying, ‘You shall not go alone, for it is not safe. We will go with you and guard you.’ Joseph thanked them, and they went with him.

“The remainder of the officers stood by the door while these were absent, and I overheard the following conversation between them: “First Officer: ‘Did you not feel strangely when Smith took you by the hand? I never felt so in my life.’ “Second Officer: ‘I felt as though I could not move. I would not harm one hair of that man’s head for the whole world.’ “Third Officer: "This is the last time you will ever catch me coming to kill Joe Smith or the Mormons either.’ …

“Those men who went with my son promised to go disband the militia under them and go home, and said that if he had any use for them, they would come back and follow him anywhere.”1 Speaking the truth in a kind, forthright way, Joseph Smith overcame prejudice and hostility and made peace with many of those who had been his enemies. (Quoted from Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith, Chapter 29, pp. 339-341)

Now I will quote statements made by other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and one, a doctor who was most likely not a member) who knew the prophet Joseph Smith well. These statements were made after the prophet and his brother, Hyrum, had been killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois in June 1844.

Parley P. Pratt

Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1835 to 1857:

“President Joseph Smith was in person tall and well built, strong and active; of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself. … His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of gravity; and there was something connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye, as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze into eternity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all worlds. He possessed a noble boldness and independence of character; his manner was easy and familiar; his rebuke terrible as the lion; his benevolence unbounded as the ocean; his intelligence universal.”

John Needham



John Needham, an early English convert:

“Joseph Smith is a great man, a man of principle, a straight forward man; no saintish long-faced fellow, but quite the reverse. Indeed some stumble because he is such a straight forward, plain spoken, cheerful man, but that makes me love him the more.”

Emmeline B. Wells

Emmeline B. Wells, the general president of the Relief Society from 1910 to 1921:

“I … testify that he (Joseph Smith) was the greatest man and the greatest prophet and the greatest personage of this generation, the greatest, I feel safe in saying, since the days of the Savior. His majesty in appearance was something wonderful. You would think that he was much taller and much larger even than he was. Perhaps many of you have noticed men who have such a bearing when they rise up and walk. This was the way with the Prophet Joseph. There are no pictures of him extant that I know of, that compare with the beauty and majesty of his presence.”

Mary Alice Cannon

Mary Alice Cannon Lambert:

“The love the saints had for him was inexpressible. They would willingly have laid down their lives for him. If he was to talk, every task would be laid aside that they might listen to his words. He was not an ordinary man. Saints and sinners alike felt and recognized a power and influence which he carried with him. It was impossible to meet him and not be impressed by the strength of his personality and influence.”

John M. Bernhisel, M.D.

John M. Bernhisel, a medical doctor who boarded in Joseph and Emma’s home in Nauvoo for several months during 1843 and 1844:

“Joseph Smith is naturally a man of strong mental powers, and is possessed of much energy and decision of character, great penetration, and a profound knowledge of human nature. He is a man of calm judgment, enlarged views, and is eminently distinguished by his love of justice. He is kind and obliging, generous and benevolent, sociable and cheerful, and is possessed of a mind of a contemplative and reflective character. He is honest, frank, fearless and independent, and as free from dissimulation [false appearances] as any man to be found. … As a religious teacher, as well as a man, he is greatly beloved by this people.”

Jesse N. Smith, a cousin of Joseph Smith:

“[The Prophet was] incomparably the most God-like man I ever saw. … I know that by nature he was incapable of lying and deceitfulness, possessing the greatest kindness and nobility of character. I felt when in his presence that he could read me through and through. I know he was all that he claimed to be.”

William Clayton, an English Convert

William Clayton, an English convert who served as a clerk to Joseph Smith:

“The more I am with him, the more I love him; the more I know of him, the more confidence I have in him.”

Joseph F. Smith (at a younger age)

Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church:

“He was brimming over with the noblest and purest of human nature, which often gave vent in innocent amusements—in playing ball, in wrestling with his brothers and scuffling with them, and enjoying himself; he was not like a man with a stake run down his back, and with his face cast in a brazen mold that he could not smile, that he had no joy in his heart. Oh, he was full of joy; he was full of gladness; he was full of love, and of every other noble attribute that makes men great and good, and at the same time simple and innocent, so that he could descend to the lowest condition; and he had power, by the grace of God, to comprehend the purposes of the Almighty too. That was the character of the Prophet Joseph Smith.”

(Quoted from Teachings of Presidents of the Church - Joseph Smith, Chapter 43, pp 497 - 499 (There were many more I could have quoted if I had the space.)

William Wines Phelps. Below are the words of a hymn found in the current LDS Church Hymn Book. This hymn was written after the death of Joseph Smith. Earlier, Joseph excommunicated the author of this hymn, William Wines Phelps for having seriously betrayed himself, Joseph, and other leaders and members of the Church to their enemies who were attempting to destroy them and their church. In June 1840, Phelps plead for forgiveness in a letter to Joseph Smith. Joseph replied with an offer of full fellowship, and ended with the famous couplet,

"Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at first are friends again at last."


William Wines Phelps

Hymn: "Praise to the Man," Words written by William W. Phelps, (1792-1872) Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Verse 1: Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah! Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer, Blessed to open the last dispensation, Kings shall extol him, and nations revere,

Verse 2: Praise to his mem'ry he died as a martyr; Honored and blest be his ever great name! Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins, Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.

Verse 3: Great is his glory and endless his priesthood, Ever and ever the keys he will hold. Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Verse 4: Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven, Earth must atone for the blood of that man. Wake up the world for the conflict of justice, Millions shall know "Brother Joseph" again.

Chorus: (Sung after each verse) Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven! Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain, Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again.

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DISCLAIMER
This website is not owned by or affiliated with the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the Mormon or LDS Church). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the position of the Church.

_____________

TO ACCESS NEIL BIRCH'S BLOG INDEX: To Either Read the Full Index Item Which Refers To This Blog Post, (Or To Search The Index For Any Other Blog Post You Desire To Access), After You Have Read All of This Paragraph, Please Scroll Back Up And Click on the Following: Joseph Smith's Role in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His True Church. Part II -Post 42h. When The Picture of Our Savior, Jesus Christ Sitting Next To a Little Boy Comes Onto Your Screen, Please Scroll Down In The Index To Your Target Item Or Use the Alphabetical Scrolling Device (When It Has Been Installed).

____________


"Have You Really Read the Book of Mormon?" Legal /Statement. Thank you for visiting. The author retains intellectual property and creative licensing rights. Permission to use or reprint must be given in writing. © Est.2008 Neil Birch Legal /Statement.

____________


I deeply appreciate your readership and hope you found very beneficial, that which was presented to you in this blog post.

If you have any questions about what you have read or viewed in this post or in any previous posts of mine, or if you even have a curiosity about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and or its teachings, please e-mail me. I'm Neil and my e-mail address is: jneilmelva@gmail.com. If you contact me I'll get back to you just as soon as possible.

I invite you to let your friends and relatives know about this blog if you think they would be interested in it. Please be advised that I also have an additional blog. It is in Spanish: Its content is translated from the English in this blog:

Neil Birch