Since the time of Brigham Young, each of the prophets who has presided over the Church has testified of the remarkable mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The testimonies of ancient and modern prophets join together to proclaim that Joseph Smith was the instrument through whom God restored the fulness of the gospel for the blessing of “the whole human family, from eternity to eternity.
Foreordained to his prophetic calling
Brigham Young
Joseph Smith was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation.
Joseph Fielding Smith
No prophet since the days of Adam, save, of course, our Redeemer, has been given a greater mission.
Ezra Taft Benson
The Prophet Joseph Smith was not only ‘one of the noble and great ones,’ but he gave and continues to give attention to important matters here on the earth even today from the realms above.
You
How does your understanding of Joseph Smith's earthly mission change when you view it in the light of eternity?
First Vision Fundamental to Our Testimonies
Joseph F. Smith
The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God...was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of God’s kingdom.
Heber J. Grant
Either Joseph Smith did see God and did converse with Him, and God Himself did introduce Jesus Christ to the boy ...or Mormonism is a myth. And Mormonism is not a myth!
Howard W. Hunter
My testimony...hinges upon the simple story of the lad under the trees kneeling and receiving heavenly visitors...it is one of the greatest single events in all history.
David O. McKay
The appearing of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith is the foundation of this Church...What God is, is answered.
Ezra Taft Benson
If we do not accept this truth…if we have not received a witness about this great revelation, we cannot inspire faith in those whom we lead.
George Albert Smith
When the boy prophet, in the woods of Palmyra, saw the Father and the Son...there was a connection between the heavens and the earth.
You
What has helped you gain a testimony of the First Vision?
Taught by God and Angels
John Taylor
He was ignorant of letters as the world has it, but the most profoundly learned and intelligent man that I ever met in my life.
Wilford Woodruff
The Prophet of God was administered to by the angels of heaven. They were his teachers, they were his instructors, and all that he did...was by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Lorenzo Snow
Joseph Smith, whom God chose to establish this work, was poor and uneducated...but God had called him to deliver the poor and honest-hearted of all nations from their spiritual and temporal bondage.
Harold B. Lee
Joseph, the man, could not have done this, but Joseph, actuated by the power of Almighty God, could and did perform the miraculous service of bringing forth the kingdom out of obscurity in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
David O. McKay
Joseph Smith’s greatness consists in divine inspiration.
Howard W. Hunter
We praise Joseph Smith for his capacity to commune not only with Jehovah but also with other personages of heaven. So many visited, gave keys, and tutored that ‘choice seer’...Through him, it has been estimated, more marvelous pages of scripture passed than through any other human in history.
You
As you seek spiritual knowledge, how can you follow Joseph Smith's example?
Called of God to Restore the Gospel
Spencer W. Kimball
The foreverness of this kingdom and the revelations which it brought into existence are absolute realities. Never again will the sun go down; never again will all men prove totally unworthy of communication with their Maker. Never again will God be hidden from his children on the earth. Revelation is here to remain.
Gordon B. Hinckley
There are those doubters who have strained to explain this remarkable organization as the product of the times in which he lived. That organization, I submit, was as peculiar, as unique, and as remarkable then as it is today. It was not the product of the times. It came as a revelation from God.
Joseph F. Smith
...he was called of God to introduce the Gospel to the world, to restore the holy priesthood to the children of men, to organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the world, and to restore all the ordinances of the Gospel, for the salvation not only of the living, but also of the dead, and he was called to this mission by God Himself.
You
Think about how your life would be different if you did not know of the restored gospel. Why are you thankful for Joseph Smith and his mission?
His work blesses all
Joseph F. Smith
The work in which Joseph Smith was engaged...is not something which relates to man only while he tabernacles in the flesh, but to the whole human family from eternity to eternity.
Joseph Fielding Smith
In the same way that I know Jesus is the Christ–and that is by revelation from the Holy Spirit—I know that Joseph Smith is and was and everlastingly shall be a prophet of God.
Gordon B. Hinckley
The glorious work, begun by him who was killed at Carthage, has grown in a miraculous and wonderful way…The testimonies which were sealed [there]... now nurture the faith of people around the world.
You
How have you and your family who has gone before and your family yet to be been blessed by the work of Joseph Smith?
A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. … And his name 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. 2 Nephi 3:6, 15;Ellen
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